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.
Exercise boosts brain health and improves Parkinson’s, imaging studies show
One way to enhance the brain’s “little gray cells” and to stave off the effects of Parkinson’s and dementia may be pedaling that bicycle, note researchers presenting at RSNA, the world’s largest radiology conference. Read More » Short-term rehab soars to No. 1 service in SNFs
Still think the majority of residents at skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are grannies? Not anymore. Check out the fastest-growing demographic in today’s LTC market. Read More » BREAKING: HHS releases proposed rules for state insurance premiums, workplace wellness programs
The release of today's proposed rules brings the Department of Health & Human Services a few steps closer in building the rules for state health exchanges (HIX). Read More » Air pollution damages brain function, memory in seniors
The risks of cognitive decline in seniors may be up in the air—literally, according to a study on the surprising effects of air pollution on brain functions. Read More » Top 10 nursing home deficiencies, top 10 trouble states
The latest version of the Nursing Home Inspect tool includes more ways to search nursing home survey data and to assess the historial track record of a skilled nursing facility. Read More » BREAKING: Health exchanges: Holdout states get last-minute reprieve
Today was to be decision day for states on whether they intend to participate in the new state health exchange program, but an eleventh-hour extension from Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius gives the remaining eight states another few weeks to decide. Read More » Senior care planning takes a woman’s touch, men better at LTC’s financial aspects
When it comes to long-term care planning, it takes a village—or at least the input of both men and women. Read More » SNFs erred on 25% of claims in 2009; $1.5 billion in overpayments
The Office of Inspector General continues to unearth massive misreporting and over-billing in nursing home claims, especially where therapy is involved. Read More » Brookdale mulls restructuring options amid Medicare reductions
Brookdale Senior Living is considering several financial options to refit its operations in an era of Medicare reductions, announced Brookdale's CFO and co-president Mark Ohlendorf today at the Stephens Fall Investment Conference. Read More » 2012 LTC rate report: Nursing homes reach $90k, market ripe for adult day services
Skilled nursing facility private room rates rose by 3.8 percent compared to last year, reaching a national average of $90,520 per year. But two sectors of long-term care had no cost increases at all, according to the annual survey from MetLife Mature Market. Read More » HHS submits rules for state insurance exchange benefits
The Department of Health and Human Services has submitted another rulemaking piece on state health insurance exchanges to the Office of Management and Budget—the last step before publication. Read More » AHCA launches Ad firestorm at Congress: No Medicare/Medicaid cuts
Long-term care organizations are using an aggressive advertising campaign to tell Congress to end the deep cuts to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. Read More » Providers get $8.36 billion in Meaningful Use payouts for EHR goals
Under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Meaningful Use incentive program for the use of electronic health records, eligible providers have received more than $8 billion in incentive payouts since the program began in early 2011, according to this week's report. Read More » Post-acute care market awaits Allscripts’ fate
Just as documentation requirements begin to heat up, healthcare technology circles are abuzz as executives confirm that electronic medical record system vendor Allscripts Healthcare Solutions may be up for sale. Read More » Prescriptions for disaster
During health emergencies and disasters, two resources can play important roles in keeping seniors and their medications connected. Read More » Blanket waivers issued for New York and New Jersey in Hurricane Sandy’s wake
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has granted blanket waivers for New York and New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy, easing the regulations required of long-term care and other health providers. Read More » What are your employees’ most expensive health risk factors?
A recent study links almost one-quarter of employer/employee health spending to a list of just 10 health risks. What’s the No. 1 health risk? Surprise: It’s not smoking. Read More » ACA health benefits: Some employers rethink their workforce to avoid paying
The new employee benefits rules created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) don’t go into effect until Jan. 1, 2014, but some employers are making changes to their workforce structures already, hoping to avoid the the coverage changes and penalties. Read More » CMS: Waiver status issued for New York state in Sandy’s wake
An emergency response meeting held by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services answers some questions on coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in New York, but many issues remain for long-term and acute care facilities in other states. Read More » LTC transitions of care: Get collaborative or play catch-up, says national TOC group
Are transitions of care on your mind? You’re not alone. Read our on-site coverage of the National Transitions of Care Coalition (NTOCC) Midwest Regional Summit, held this month in Cleveland, for tips and free tools to improve your TOC efforts. Read More » Henry Ford and Beaumont health systems to merge hospitals, LTC care sites
Updated: 5/21/13: Both parties have decided to cancel merger talks for now. The continuum of care gets bigger and broader in Michigan as two health systems join to form one of the largest non-profits in the state. Read More » Law firm launches nursing home neglect site
One law firm has created a website to educate consumers about nursing home neglect—and to give them easy access to lawyers who specialize in eldercare neglect cases. Will other states follow suit? Read More » National collaborative will foster innovation in senior housing and financing models
A national learning collaborative, launched at this week’s LeadingAge conference, is focused on creating new financial and service strategies for senior living. Read More » A better picture of falls prevention
A three-year video study provides deep insights into falls, including the activities and circumstances that cause the most falls. Read More » High-cost healthcare consumers remain steady despite recession
Those who accrue high healthcare out-of-pocket expenses got an unexpected cost-saver during the recent recession, according to a Health Affairs report. Read More » Need technology? Take the trauma out of your IT initiatives
Technology projects planned with the input of all departments have the best staff buy-in and training engagement, says a panel of long-term care project managers who have tackled the IT challenges in their own organizations. Avoid “tech trauma” by learning their tips on IT project strategy. Read More » How do you spell nurse retention? R-e-s-p-e-c-t
The challenge of retaining quality nursing staff and reducing turnover rates can be eased through a few crucial changes in management strategy, say session leaders at this week’s LeadingAge annual meeting. Read More » A bad break for sleeping pills?
Recent preliminary research has linked medications that treat insomnia to high hip fracture rates. Read More » LTC trends report: Reimbursement #1 challenge, technology #1 game changer
Amid the cuts in payments and struggles with occupancy rates, the current long-term care business environment has opportunities for innovation in cost models, care delivery models and technology-driven value, notes the 28th annual Licensed Nursing Facility Cost Comparison. Read More » 