The New Wave of Foodservice Technology in Senior Care

Administration

Partnerships@Work: Using nutrition to battle readmissions

Food for thought: A post-acute provider and a foodservices company combine efforts to reinvent the nutrition and hydration program for residents. Read More »

Long-term care staff, residents focus of CDC report

A new report from the National Center for Health Statistics contains some surprising and not-so-surprising information for those working in long-term care. Read More »

HIMSS Foundation and National eHealth Collaborative merge

Two national health information technology organizations put their strengths together through a merger. Read More »

Remembering aides at Christmas

Long-Term Living blogger Kathleen Mears’ online accident was the beginning of a happy holiday tradition. Read More »

Memory visits

How do you categorize holiday memories? Visiting with those with dementia gives a new view. Read More »

6 ways to foster staff satisfaction

Communities can take six steps to build effective teams that not only benefit facilities but also benefit the individual employees that make up the teams. Staff satisfaction is at the foundation of it all. Read More »

Top 10 Long-Term Living stories of 2013

Long-Term Living's Leaders of Tomorrow Awards, senior living environments and nursing home regulations were among the hot topics for our social media friends and followers this year, as an examination of analytics reveals. Read More »

Killing the SGR and therapy caps

Congress may be ready to do away with the sustainable growth rate (SGR), re-fix the “doc fix” and ditch therapy caps, but will skilled nursing become the scapegoat for the costs? Read More »

NCOA ‘cautiously optimistic’ for permanent QI fix in 2014

The National Council on Aging is “disappointed” that Congress has not acted to make permanent a program that pays Part B premiums for some Medicare recipients, but the organization remains hopeful that the program will be made permanent in 2014. Read More »

LTSS focus of Senate committee hearing

The recommendations made by the federal Commission on Long-Term Care related to long-term services and supports for seniors and disabled individuals are the focus of a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing. Read More »

OIG releases strategic plan for 2014-2018

The Department of Health and Human Services and its oversight body, the Office of Inspector General, released reports this week identifying strategic goals for the next few years. Read More »

Challenges: Disinfecting soft surfaces [PODCAST]

In Long-Term Living's "Challenges" Editorial Podcast series, we ask industry experts to help solve specific problems within the long-term care and post-acute care environments. This installment: How to combat infectious microbes on soft surfaces like curtains, chairs and sofas. Read More »

CCRC occupancy to stay the same or improve in 2014: report

Occupancy levels at nonprofit continuing care retirement communities will remain stable or improve in 2014, according to a new report. Read More »

AMDA’s program targets antipsychotic drug use for dementia

A new program developed by AMDA teaches long-term care staffers and doctors how to recognize, assess and treat symptoms of dementia while minimizing the use of antispychotic drugs. Read More »

OIG to CMS: Add hospitalization rates to nursing home quality ratings and surveys

The Office of Inspector General wants hospitalization rates to be added to CMS's nursing home quality rankings. But will the numbers tell the real story or just muddy the waters? Read More »

Complying with HIPAA: Avoid financial penalties by following these steps

The financial penalties for not securing protected health information have become greater under the final Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act omnibus rule that went into effect Sept. 23. Taking certain actions can strengthen your ability to avoid violations. Read More »

Assisted living construction continues to accelerate

Assisted living construction is going strong and steadily rising, according to the latest NIC MAP data. Much of the construction is concentrated in six major metropolitan markets. Read More »

A dementia cure by 2025?

G8 countries gathered for a summit in London have committed to identifying a cure or disease-modifying therapy for dementia by 2025 and to significantly increasing research funding to reach that goal. Read More »

Federal grants to shore up healthcare workforce

New funding has been earmarked to develop, educate and grow a diversified healthcare workforce across the United States. Read More »

Long-term and post-acute care’s roles in lowering hospital readmissions

Post-acute medication management and partnerships with long-term care facilities and others are two strategies put forth by two recent pieces of research examining ways to lower hospital readmissions. Read More »

OSHA’s 35-lb. lifting limit

When was the last time a staff member lifted something heavier than 35 lbs? Enforcement of this rule might be getting a lot stiffer soon. Read More »

Dementia: National dialogue needed, report says

All countries need to develop plans to provide and finance care for those with dementia, according to a new policy brief that notes a coming “epidemic.” Read More »

LTC insurance provider raises the bar for policy rating

No more "fixed-rate forever" policies, says one major long-term care insurance provider, who plans to re-rate insurance policies and tighten benefits on new policies in an attempt to control the soaring costs of long-term care. Read More »

Fraud claims involve SNFs, home healthcare and DME providers

Several recent multimillion dollar Medicare fraud case convictions and settlements relate to the actions or alleged actions of skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare agencies and durable medical equipment companies and their employees. Read More »

Medication errors: Prescriptions for safety

Diligent strategies to avoid medication errors can improve resident care and reduce business risk. Read More »

Sharing beauty, celebrating seniors

One senior living provider found a way to share beauty this holiday season while celebrating the talents of residents. What does your community do? Read More »

Long-Term Living gets social

Join the conversation on Long-Term Living’s social media networks. Read More »

Staying current in the currents

Long-Term Living is launching new options for those who want to keep up with the latest in trends, initiatives and news in the senior living and senior care—and best of all, they're free. Read More »

Palliative care conversations crucial to ensuring choices

Avoiding discussions about prognosis and care goals may deny patients what they need to make informed choices. But what happens when the people skirting the conversation are the clinicians? Read More »

Hand hygiene gets special attention this week

Those working in long-term care settings should be sure to practice hand hygiene at four key times, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This week is National Handwashing Awareness Week. Read More »