Pamela Tabar
Pamela Tabar was editor-in-chief of I Advance Senior Care from 2013-2018. She has worked as a writer and editor for healthcare business media since 1998, including as News Editor of Healthcare Informatics. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University and a master's degree in English from the University of York, England.
Shooting at Pennsylvania hospice
A Pennsylvania hospice patient was shot by her husband, who then turned the gun on himself. Read More » MedPAC to Congress: Reduce SNF payments by 4% in 2014
Skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies face payment reductions, but hospices and long-term care hospitals get a first-round bye in MedPAC's latest Medicare payment recommendations to Congress. Read More » CHF: Fighting the new readmission issue with an old drug
Cardiology researchers discover that the latest help in reducing readmissions of those with chronic heart failure may come from a drug considered as "old hat" 10 years ago. Read More » LTC and mental health services: Collaboration is a financial win-win
Long-term care providers and behavioral health services should go hand in hand in aging care, experts say. If your facility can’t provide or fund mental health services, partner for them—and everyone wins. Read More » Final 3 members appointed to LTC commission
President Obama adds the last three names to the Long Term Care Commission, completing the group's bipartisan membership. Read More » JAMA: Elderly often given unnecessary tests for colon cancer screening
Colon cancer screenings save thousands of lives each year, but for those over age 75, the risks of invasive procedures like colonoscopies may outweigh the benefits, a new JAMA Internal Medicine study says. Read More » Conquering C. difficile in LTC
New guidelines and strategies for controlling Clostridium difficile (C. diff) in long-term care facilities are among the highlights from today’s Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) educational conference in Baltimore. Read More » Social services key to delivering senior healthcare at lower cost
Improving healthcare delivery for seniors might take greater investment in an often-ignored component: Social services. Read More » SNF surveys: Do they tell the whole story?
Nursing home consumers—residents and their families—say the survey process has flaws that need to be addressed, according to a new report from the Coalition for Quality Care. Read More » SNF strategy for combatting drug-resistant CRE
During bacterial outbreaks, skilled nursing facilities carry an extra burden of surveillance protocols—since the illness can roll right in the door via a patient transfer. Read More » 3 steps to conquering the fear of falling
Trepidation about tripping? Most seniors who have taken a tumble once, will develop a fear of falling again. Helping seniors to overcome the fear of falling starts with a deep understanding of what scares them--and then empowering them to change it. Read More » Brookdale responds to 911 CPR case
The parent company of the California senior living facility involved in a controversial 911 call responds to public outcry over corporate policies and an employee's refusal to administer CPR. Read More » 6 leading EMR companies form alliance for compatibility, record exchange
Six weighty electronic medical record (EMR) companies decide to set competition aside and form an alliance to improve EMR compatibility and medical record access across the care chain. Read More » My Hospice Notebook
Calling all hospices: Are you ready for a challenge? Today is the launch of my "Hospice Notebook." Gather your ideas, projects, initiatives and missions. My inbox is yours. Read More » AT&T designs automated mobile falls management system
When an older person falls, it’s crucial to call caregivers immediately. But what if the caregiver could call the senior, no matter where they fell? Read More » JAMA: New diabetes drugs may double the risk of pancreatitis
Some of the newer medications for diabetes put the resident at increased risk for acute or chronic pancreatitis, notes a recent JAMA study. Read More » CMS: Penalties are working to reduce hospital readmissions
New data on hospital readmission shows that healthcare reform is making an impact--changing the rates for the first time in five years, says CMS. Read More » Calif. plans 85% increase in LTC insurance rates for public employees
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the country's third-largest health benefits purchaser, dropped a bombshell on its long-term care policyholders—switch LTC policies or deal with a massive rate increase. Read More » OIG: Nursing homes provide ‘criminally poor care,’ fail on care plans
A new report from the Office of Inspector General accuses skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) of misusing their Medicare payments, since more than one-third of SNFs don’t fulfill—or even create—the care plans and discharge goals required for their residents. Read More » Assisted Living Concepts sold to investment firm for $278 M
A Wisconsin senior living company is the latest buyout as investment firms rescue their distressed properties. Read More » N.J.’s Gov. Christie joins GOPs reconsidering Medicaid expansion
N.J.’s Gov. Chris Christie is the latest republican governor to change his mind about expanding the state Medicaid program. Read More » California shines in ‘Best Nursing Homes’ annual report
Where does your city rank in U.S. News & World Report's new "Best Nursing Homes" list? Read More » C. Everett Koop dies at 96
Widely recognized by his bushy beard and somber uniform, former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop became a household name for his anti-smoking campaign. Read More » The SCOOTER Store is back on the hot seat
A popular provider of power chairs gets a visit from federal agents in a new Medicare fraud investigation. Read More » Therapy caps: Unraveling the spider’s web for long-term care
How many of your residents are on track to exceed the $1,900 payment cap on physical or occupational therapies? We examine the current therapy cap situation, and why it's such a challenge for long-term and post-acute care. Read More » CDC: This year’s flu vaccine fails seniors for influenza A H3N2
This year's flu shot is not protecting those over 65 from influenza A, warns a new update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More » Fla. governor reverses stance, now supports Medicaid expansion
Florida’s governor, once one of the loudest voices against “ObamaCare,” has done a policy about-face and now supports limited Medicaid expansion in the state. Read More » Mobile app for hospice brings families closer to care
A new mobile app helps hospice families keep track of their loved one’s care from anywhere. Read More » LTC needs to play active role in meds disposal, pharmacy group says
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s new proposed rule for controlled substance disposal needs more clarification when it comes to long-term care facilities, a national pharmacy group says. Read More » 