With the growing use of electronic data in healthcare to improve quality of care and lower provider costs, more long-term care organizations are making the transition from paper medication administration records (MARs) to electronic medication administration records (eMARs). Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services creates the Office of Information Products and Data Analytics as part of a new initiative to collect, analyze and share healthcare information for use in care improvements. Read More »
New research data shows that many Medicare recipients are prevented from transferring to skilled care based on their hospital admission status. Read More »
The Obama Administration seems determined to keep patients in their community settings and out of nursing homes for as long as possible. Obviously that will mean fewer admissions to long-term care facilities, so those facilities must be thinking of ways to adapt in order to remain viable. Read More »
With the Medicare/Medicaid cutbacks to facilities today, I wonder how facilities built from the ’70s through the ’90s will be maintained. I wonder too how the grand looking nursing homes built in the last 10 years will hold up. Read More »
When it comes to building a team, forget corporate retreats and singing “Kumbaya” around the campfire. Here are five practical, easy-to-incorporate strategies you can use at your nursing stations starting today. Read More »
Funds for improved access for consumer information on community services and supports for seniors and others with disabilities is on the horizon. Read More »
Ultraviolet light treatment works better than bleach to control outbreaks of Clostridium difficle infections (CDI) in resident spaces, and UV cleansing technology may be a smart addition to routine housekeeping and infection-prevention measures, researchers find. Read More »
Experts at this week’s International Society of Advance Care Planning & End of Life Care conference discuss medical ethics, caregiver responsibilities, and a culture of avoidance when it comes to end-of-life care decisions. Read More »
In my years as a med nurse, unit manager and DON I always enjoyed working with hospice. My experience was that they were also there for the resident and staff. That is why hospice belongs in long-term care. Let us help you help the resident. Let’s collaborate and share the load. How can we help you today? Read More »
In every walk of life there are people who go beyond the parameters of their job description. Long-term care has no shortage of these dedicated employees who give the best of themselves to the residents they serve. Read More »
The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) conference, held earlier this month in Dallas presented this observer a close-up look at the critical issues and opportunities facing a senior living sector in transition. Read More »
CMS announces a new partnership initiative to combat the improper use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes. Through better reporting and data sharing, the partnership vows to cut the use of antipsychotics in nursing homes by 15 percent before the end of this year. Read More »
A resident’s withdrawal from life’s opportunities does not have to be a permanent condition. How can you help a resident who is unhappy, has lost interest in life, or has become testy and difficult? Read More »
Researchers at the Indianapolis-based Regenstrief Institute have developed STeleR, a home telerehabilitation program that they are reporting can improve lower body physical functioning after a stroke. Read More »
The challenging nature of long-term care can make caregivers easy victims of job stress and depression, putting both the residents and the organization at risk. Learn how to assist employees in maintaining the balance between taking care of others and taking care of themselves. Read More »
Strong revenues may please corporate shareholders, but CMS data shows that many nursing homes are providing substandard care for residents. Read More »
My power chair was purchased by Medicaid in 2008. I had absolutely no input into what was bought. Though this chair turns on a dime, it is not as well built as I think it should be. Many quadriplegics who subscribe to an online list feel the same way. Read More »
Dining is the ideal way to socialize. Residents eagerly check out their monthly activity calendar to see what local restaurant they will be visiting. Read More »
A proposed amendment to pending legislation would require federal regulators to issue guidelines requiring nursing homes to get permission from patients or designated advocates before administering antipsychotics. Read More »
In observance of the Memorial Day holiday, Long-Term Living will take a break from publishing news, articles and blogs. We'll be back Tuesday, May 29. Read More »
Diaz urged the committee to consider the impact of additional payment cuts—including the impending 2 percent sequestration cut to Medicare payments beginning in January 2013 and continuing for 10 years—on LTC's ability to continue innovation pilots. Read More »
According to NCAL, both proposed rules would disqualify a community-based provider, such as assisted living or a group home, from participating in Medicaid because they are on or near a property containing an institutional setting. Read More »
A newly released book, “The Power of Ten—2011-2013: Nurse Leaders Address the Profession’s 10 Most Pressing Issues,” takes on hot button topics, with input from more than 30 international nurse leaders. Read More »
A new study indicates that private-pay nursing home residents are seeking assisted living or home- and community-based options. Without the subsidies provided by private-pay residents, nursing homes are left to rely on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. Read More »
