Facility management

Remember: Resident is heart of person-centered care

Live from AHCA/NCAL: To be successful in your mission of person-centered care, you must include residents and their families in your care planning. It sounds obvious, but many facilities that think they are doing this are not. Here are some points to consider. Read More »

Elder abuse focus of October observance

Elder abuse is the focus of this year's observance of an annual event meant to bring attention to residents of long-term care facilities. Read More »

Speaker: Those in assisted living are helping to shape the future of healthcare

Live from AHCA/NCAL: A speaker shares tips for improving quality, safety and resident satisfaction in assisted living communities. Read More »

One on one with… Larry Wolf

Technology-related issues and trends in long-term care were on the agenda when Larry Wolf, health information technology strategist with post-acute service provider Kindred Healthcare, recently spoke with Long-Term Living. Read More »

Federal government shuts down

Core Medicare and Medicaid operations will not be affected by a federal government shutdown that began today, but a broad range of other federal operations will be affected. The Affordable Care Act itself has largely been funded already and will not be directly affected. ACA-created health insurance exchanges also are live as scheduled. Read More »

House, Senate spar over a delay to ACA; shutdown looms

After a weekend of squabbling over the federal budget, the Senate has rejected a proposal to delay the Affordable Care Act. With the budget crisis still unsolved in the 11th hour, what would a government shutdown mean for long-term care? Read More »

Beyond rubber gloves: Housekeeping’s infection control role

The housekeeping department accounts for a large part of a facility's budget—and an even larger part of its infection control program. But even the most sophisticated cleanliness initiatives will go down the drain if staffers aren't properly trained in the specific protocols for each cleaning product. Read More »

When a facility closes its doors, residents feel the pain

When a facility shuts its doors the business suffers, the community suffers and, ultimately, the residents caught in the middle are the ones who pay the price with the stress of relocation and the uncertainty of their futures. Read More »

Stopping C. diff may be more a matter of antibiotic restriction than infection control: study

Newly published research in the New England Journal of Medicine challenges widely held beliefs about the transmission of a common infection and how to stop it. Read More »

CDC: Long-term care must make flu vaccination a priority

Those working in long-term care have three important reasons to get vaccinated against the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And employers have compelling evidence to require or at least encourage vaccination. Read More »

4 technology trends in post-acute and long-term care

Care, staffing, and workflow processes and tools all are changing as technology and the healthcare system adapt to one another, according to one expert. Read More »

Nursing home use associated with certain personality traits

Whether and how much time a person spends in long-term care may depend on his or her personality, according to new research. Read More »

Assisted living communities can foster good reputations through personal interactions

As the state of New York winds down its Assisted Living Month, an association executive relays tips to help communities everywhere provide optimal care and demonstrate their value to residents, prospective residents and their families. Read More »

5 LTC commissioners propose alternative LTSS solutions

One-third of the membership of the federal Commission on Long-Term Care say that recommendations issued by the commission Sept. 13 are not broad enough, so they have issued alternative suggestions. Meanwhile, organizations representing the long-term care industry react to the official commission report. Read More »

World Alzheimer Report calls for changes to care system

In the midst of World Alzheimer’s Month and a day before Alzheimer’s Action Day, the World Alzheimer Report 2013 has been released, containing seven recommendations to address the disease globally. Read More »

Preventing falls can be within your power

As Falls Prevention Awareness Day approaches, experts offer tips staff members can implement to improve resident safety as well as insights into how falls contribute to vision-related costs to the government, private insurers and individuals. Read More »

3-day hospital stay alternatives include new eligibility criteria, payment models

Improved policies and payment models could see more individuals being treated in skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities as the country looks for ways to reduce costs and unnecessary hospitalizations, one expert believes. Read More »

Staffing, introspection can improve resident dignity: study

Administrators and healthcare professionals have roles to play when it comes to delivering person-centered care to nursing home residents, according to new research. Read More »

A challenge worth meeting—and eating

A recent competition among chefs promoted nutritious, tasty recipes for residents of one company’s post-acute and long-term care communities. What unique things are your senior living communities doing to promote senior health? Read More »

Research seeks ways to improve long-term care offerings in reformed healthcare system

An academic powerhouse and several senior living service providers are joining forces to try to find ways to increase the quality of long-term care while decreasing unnecessary healthcare spending. Read More »

Assisted living: Some are doing it right

As we observe National Assisted Living Week, let’s celebrate the communities delivering high-quality care for residents. What lessons can we learn from them? Read More »

Need LTC transport? Don’t dial 911

Moving LTC residents to the hospital or from one care site to another has some senior care communities picking up the phone--but not to dial 911. Read More »

A tale of two fires

The effectiveness of fire sprinklers in long-term care settings isn't usually front-page news, but without properly installed fire suppression devices, the results could be devastating. Read More »

Nursing homes serving black residents have fewer resources for care, study finds

A study of more than 11,500 nursing homes reveals racial disparities in care, and researchers have some ideas about why – and some potential solutions, too. Read More »

Looking for a better shower experience

A satisfying shower experience shouldn’t require a magician's touch on a shower wand to provide warm water and pressure, as Kathleen Mears explains in her weekly blog. Read More »

Need for institutional care may increase, AARP report says

Population trends mean that the current model of family members serving as the primary caregivers for their elders may not work in the future, according to some policy advisers. Read More »

9 new quality goals for nursing homes unveiled by initiative

Nursing homes participating in a new initiative may gain competitive advantages, organizers say. In the process, they could collect data helpful in establishing uniform national standards and evidence-based best practices. Read More »

Fire safety compliance still troubles SNFs, deficiencies loom

The recent CMS deadline for fire sprinkler compliance finds more than 1,000 long-term care facilities lacking sprinkler coverage in at least some areas—and risking exclusion from Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement. Read More »

U.S. companies expand in China as senior care restrictions relax

As its elderly population grows and traditions change, China is seeking help from foreign and private companies to provide services and housing for this segment, and U.S. companies are answering the call. Read More »

5 keys to finding and retaining resident-centered employees

Discovering candidates' internal motivators underlies success in the hunt for passionate employees whose work ethic meshes with the goals of your organization. Read More »