The New Wave of Foodservice Technology in Senior Care

Departments

The impact of the aging population on acute care facilities

How is senior-centric care changing the way hospitals are designed? Anne DiNardo, senior editor of our sister-publication Healthcare Design, asks two design experts about the impacts of geriatric care on the rest of the care chain in this sneak-peek of what attendees will learn at our Environments for Aging conference next month. Read More »

Conquering C. difficile in LTC

New guidelines and strategies for controlling Clostridium difficile (C. diff) in long-term care facilities are among the highlights from today’s Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) educational conference in Baltimore. Read More »

3 steps to conquering the fear of falling

Trepidation about tripping? Most seniors who have taken a tumble once, will develop a fear of falling again. Helping seniors to overcome the fear of falling starts with a deep understanding of what scares them--and then empowering them to change it. Read More »

One-on-one with… Peter Reed

Peter Reed, PhD, CEO of Pioneer Network, spoke with Long-Term Living about the roots of culture change and today's campaign against ageism. How far has person-centered care come and what still needs to be done? Read More »

A natural haven: Citation of Merit winner Haven Hospice Custead Care Center, Orange Park, Fla.

This fourth of four Environments for Aging Citation of Merit winners features a connection to nature as the inspiring force for its designers. Read More »

Proactive strategies to reduce hospital readmissions

Skilled nursing providers (SNFs) are all too familiar with the challenge of preventing hospital readmissions for residents. In a recent Long-Term Living webinar that addressed this very issue, Maria Arellano, MS, RN, Clinical Product Manager, American HealthTech, reviewed the scope of the challenge and offered proactive strategies for providers to consider in their continuing quest to reduce hospital readmissions. Read More »

Nurturing individual growth: Citation of Merit winner Good Shepherd Cottage at Santa Teresita, Duarte, Calif.

This third of four Environments for Aging Citation of Merit winners drew on its mission to serve the elderly to achieve beautiful results in the design and construction of a new assisted living residence. Read More »

Inviting and inclusive: Citation of Merit winner Cosby Spears High Rise, Atlanta

This second of four Environments for Aging Citation of Merit winners demonstrates how a main-floor renovation transformed a public housing complex. Read More »

Fostering physical, spiritual potentials: Citation of Merit winner Camphill Elder Initiative for Developmentally Disabled Adults, Ghent, N.Y.

This first of four Environments for Aging Citation of Merit winners has created a community where developmentally disabled adults live among independent residents, allowing for social interactions unlike those of other developments. Read More »

2013 Citation of Merit winners: Celebrating excellence in LTC design

The Environments for Aging annual design issue showcases the latest trends and best practices in senior housing and long-term care design. Congratulations to this year's Citation of Merit winners, four projects recognized for excellence in design with a resident-centered focus. Read More »

LED lighting in senior living: Friend or foe?

Although natural light is preferred as much as possible in senior living, artificial lighting is necessary.  So is the latest technology the best?  Read More »

What design features do LTC residents most want?

Renovations and redesigns large and small can breathe new life into a facility, especially when they’re focused on the needs of the people who live and work within them. The changes that are most important to the residents tend to be those that center on their psychological need to regain control. Read More »

Therapy caps: Unraveling the spider’s web for long-term care

How many of your residents are on track to exceed the $1,900 payment cap on physical or occupational therapies? We examine the current therapy cap situation, and why it's such a challenge for long-term and post-acute care. Read More »

Is renovation always a good thing?

Every year a group of multi-disciplinary professionals gather to discuss Design Showcase submissions for the Environments for Aging review. Inevitably, during the discussion, a common theme appears. This year was no exception: Is renovation always a good thing? Read More »

Nursing care occupancy remains near cyclical low

Nursing care occupancy rose for the second consecutive quarter, although it remains near its cyclical low. During the fourth quarter of 2012, nursing care occupancy was 88.1 percent, which was a 10 basis point increase from the prior quarter but a 10 basis points decline from a year ago. Read More »

Negotiating with a hospital: Preparing the pitch

As their revenues get squeezed, hospitals’ post-acute partners are more important than ever in the fight against unnecessary readmissions to protect their top line. Check out three free resources to help you prepare your pitch for in negotiating with a hospital CFO. Part one of a three-part series. Read More »

Exploring evidence-based and green design in long-term care

The research and experiences of evidence-based design will continue to lead to innovations in creating senior living environments that enhance quality of life and quality of care. Read More »

LTC industry faces cascade of spending cuts; thousands of jobs in jeopardy

Some $85 billion in across-the-board cuts in federal programs are expected to take place between March 1 and September 30 unless Congress, with some form of last minute heroics, can cut a deal to avoid those reductions, mandated by law, from being imposed. Read More »

Long-Term Living takes break in observance of Presidents’ Day

Long-term Living will take a short break from news, articles, blogs and social media on February 18. We'll be back on Tuesday, February 19. Read More »

Proposed rule extends deadline for SNF sprinkler systems

On August 13, 2008, CMS published a final rule requiring all long-term care facilities to have automatic sprinkler systems installed throughout the facility. The deadline for compliance with the new regulatory requirement is August 13, 2013. On February 7, CMS issued a proposed rule that would extend the August 13, 2013 deadline. Read More »

Inappropriate use of psychotropic drugs lands former DON in prison, others plead ‘no contest’

The use of psychotropic drugs in long-term care is a significant issue that every facility deals with. This article examines a highly unusual case and also suggests what nursing facilities can expect from government regulators. Read More »

Love, light and life

Harnessing the energy of interior spaces can change an institutional building into a home. An interior designer takes a look at the power of light, variety and focus points to create peace and comfort within the care environment.  Read More »

New healthcare design guidelines address long-term care

New codes, regulations and guidelines for the design of senior living facilities are being developed to support culture change and resident-centered care. Now is the time for long-term care providers to become involved in the development of these guidelines. Read More »

The race to reduce hospital readmissions

LTC providers are poised to play a big part in turning around the trend of high hospital readmissions with the ever-increasing tools and support continuing to be generated by the innovative within their own industry. Three providers share their effective strategies. Read More »

How to reposition dated LTC assets

As the long-term care industry takes on more business in short-term rehabilitation and new expectations from the baby boomer generation, many facilities are finding themselves forced to renovate their buildings and their operations to keep up with the market changes.  Read More »

Namaste: Honoring the spirit within

Shelley Silverman King, RN, explains how a Massachusetts facility uses specially trained caregivers and a room full of sensory experiences—music, lighting, hand massage, aromatherapy and other stimuli—to reach its most isolated and lonely population: its residents with advanced dementia.  Read More »

A care plan tweak can have big results

Ignoring resident issues that impact his or her quality of life may lead to depression, inactivity, self-pity or other emotional or physical problems. Read More »

Designing international aged care environments

Whether caring for seniors in the United States or in a village in the Pacific Rim, providing culture-specific environments and services is taking design in a new direction as seen in three international projects. Read More »

The MDS’s impact on quality of care and quality of life

Most nursing home providers understand the importance of auditing the MDS against the medical record to ensure that the chart supports the coding decisions represented on the MDS. But analyzing MDS responses in the context of quality seems to be a missed opportunity for many providers. Read More »

Fall management program reduces falls by 53 percent

Whether residents are in short-stay rehab or LTC units, providing the right physical environment backed by staff commitment, can improve mobility and, ultimately, reduce falls. Here’s how one LTC community did just that. Read More »