The New Wave of Foodservice Technology in Senior Care

Direct care, America’s fastest-growing occupation

The growth in home care positions, both home health aides and personal care aides, is expected to far surpass positions for nursing aides, as more elders demand—and states seek to provide—home and community-based services. Read More »

New palliative/end-of-life care measures for LTC

With approximately 2.5 million people dying each year, the need for quality palliative and hospice services is at an all-time high. There is an increased focus on palliative and hospice care by the public and private sectors to ensure that high-quality end-of-life care is available to our aging population. Read More »

ACHCA leadership panel addresses LTC challenges

The top leaders of the major long-term healthcare associations gathered recently during the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) Annual Convocation to take on the challenges of providing care to older adults and disabled individuals in a time of tightening resources, fewer workers and an influx of residents. Read More »

Nursing home quality shows improvement

Quality ratings are on the rise in the nation's skilled nursing facilities, according to recent government data Read More »

Person-centered care: The bottom line

In many LTC communities, the basic need for excellent service has been overshadowed by a single-minded adherence to numerous state and federal regulations, medical regimens and cost pressures, even though service and an environment conducive to healthy living were stated objectives of the organizations. Somehow, companies have not been paying attention to their own core values. Read More »

Son billed $93K for mom’s nursing home care

In Pennsylvania, a nursing home, unwilling to wait for a woman's Medicaid approval and reimbursement, sues her son to recover the $93K debt. It's called the "filial responsibility law" and it's on the books in 30 states. Read More »

Necessary faith

Without faith in the mix, living in a facility would be vast wasteland for me even though there are other things to do and much in the world to learn. It helps me to have faith in something larger than myself. Faith gets me through most days. Read More »

HHS urges healthcare workers to be aware of hepatitis risk

HHS declares May 19 as the first-ever National Hepatitis Testing Day. Millions of Americans carry the virus, presenting a danger to themselves and others. Read More »

Pa. nursing homes recognized for excellence

Four Pennsylvania nursing homes show excellence in quality measures and are recognized by the state for their three-year achievement. Read More »

Medicaid cuts threaten nursing home jobs

Budget cuts to social service programs at the state and federal levels threaten staffing levels at nursing homes. Read More »

A man with a simple mission: to change the world

Bill Strickland’s personal story is one of rising above his own impoverished circumstances through a combination of intellectual gifts, street smarts, opportunities and serendipity to create a movement that has lifted the lives of others. It offers lessons for our own lives and our larger communities—and especially our senior communities. Read More »

FCC to consider opening new wireless spectrum for patient monitoring

The FCC is expected to approve access to a new wireless spectrum band that will support innovation in medial body area networks. Read More »

Repurposing a property—LA style

Many developers and architects are putting old building to new purposes. In Los Angeles, an abandoned hospital will shake off its horror-story reputation to provide a new lease on life for low-income seniors. Read More »

Canadian wellness program targets seniors’ dental health

Saskatoon Health Region (Canada) grant supportss a pilot dental health project for seniors and adults in long term care facilities. Read More »

Paper prescriptions becoming passé

Prescription pads are becoming scratch pads as more physicians take the e-prescribing approach to medication management. Read More »

Senior living execs talk policy, markets and choice at ALFA conference

A rapidly evolving regulatory, demographic and clinical landscape are top of mind for many of the 1,000-plus senior living executives in attendance at this year’s ALFA (Assisted Living Federation of America) Conference & Expo, being held in Dallas Wednesday through Friday. Read More »

Researchers link chromosomal abnormalities with aging and increased cancer risk

Population-based evidence that the mutations increase with age and may be an early marker in detecting cancer. Read More »

Alzheimer’s drug trial seeks answers among genetically predisposed population

Clinical trial set to begin among a population guaranteed to get Alzheimer's. Read More »

Risky business

Effective, data-driven risk management is proactive, rather than just reactive, and begins with the development of facility-wide policies and procedures that include standards of practice and care protocols. Read More »

PSS exits skilled nursing home sector in restructuring plan

PSS World Medical looks to acquisition, divestiture and a revised business strategy for future growth. Read More »

Omnicare to pay $50M for improper distribution of controlled substances to LTC residents

Omnicare, the nation’s second largest LTC pharmacy provider, has agreed to a $50 million civil settlement with the Department of Justice following a Drug Enforcement Agency investigation of complaints Read More »

Restorative nursing: It takes a facility

An interdisciplinary approach to restorative care can improve quality measures as evidenced by a program instituted at Renaissance Gardens at Riderwood, an Erickson Living Community in Silver Spring, Md. Read More »

New national plan focuses on Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment

HHS introduces ambitious national plan focused on prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Read More »

A safe patient handling program pays off

Nurses, CNAs and orderlies miss more days of work due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders than any other group. Nowhere is this truer than in the LTC setting. Read More »

The stone removal’s aftermath

Following a procedure to have a kidney stone removed at a large university hospital, Kathy wonders why appropriate equipment could not be made available for a patient's most basic needs. Read More »

Study: People with dementia more likely to die at home than in nursing home

Many older adults with dementia live and die in community settings rather than nursing homes, contradicting the commonly held view that most people with dementia eventually move to nursing homes and die there. Read More »

Direct caregivers will comprise nation’s largest workforce by 2020, says PHI

By 2020, direct-care workers in home- or community-based settings are projected to outnumber direct-care staff based in facilities. Read More »

CMS final rule eases regulatory burden for SNFs

The Medicare Regulatory Reform Rule is projected to produce savings of $200 million in the first year. Read More »

What Mom never told me

Sometimes life gets too busy or too distracting to learn the "little" things that make up a person. Biographies are wonderful opportunities to reminisce and share the smaller moments of life with loved ones. Read More »

Medicare cuts could cost SNFs close to $800 million

Skilled nursing facilities are gearing up to absorb nearly $800 million in Medicare cuts in 2014, according to a new analysis from Avalere Health and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care. Read More »