Departments

What 55+ consumers (don’t call them ‘seniors’) want in their living environments

Margaret Wylde, PhD, president and CEO, ProMatura, has her fingers firmly on the pulse of the booming 55+ demographic. She spoke with Long-Term Living Editor-in-Chief Patricia Sheehan in advance of her keynote address at the Environments for Aging conference, to be held April 6-9 in New Orleans. Read More »

The case for nurse coaching

In recent years, a new approach has been added to the kit bag of thousands of nurses and scores of nurse supervisors across the country--nurse coaching.  Nurse coaching focuses on building a relationship-centered approach to supporting the growth and development of others. Read More »

Pressure ulcers: What we don’t know can hurt us

Knowledge about the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers has come a long way, but has it come far enough to prevent and reduce the incidence of this problem in long-term care? Read More »

CMMI, Senate committee lock horns over innovation projects

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) got a tongue-lashing from the Senate Finance Committee, while CMMI’s director explains that testing new models takes time before payment reforms can be put into action. Read More »

Small changes have big impact on LTC residents’ sense of control, autonomy

When long-term care residents perceive control over what is generally a highly structured new environment, it helps them cope with stressors, reduces their depression and anxiety and increases their satisfaction with care. Read More »

LTC industry applauds legislation to roll back therapy caps

Legislation that would roll back caps on therapy services to seniors in skilled nursing centers has been introduced in both the House and Senate and is being applauded by an industry reeling from one payment reduction after another. Read More »

Staff scheduling strategies for better care and better business

Are your staff scheduling processes as fair, balanced and tightly connected to your census and acuities as they should be? Two experts explain why even small changes in staffing can add up to big savings. Read More »

Antibiotics: LTC’s double-edged sword

The days of antibiotics being a "silver bullet" are long over, especially in nursing homes. And when it comes to antibiotic medication, more isn't necessarily better. The challenge of treating bacterial infections without inadvertently creating new resistant bacterial strains has LTC facilities stuck between a rock and a hard place. Read More »

SNF occupancy rates stable; Sacramento, Calif., leads growth markets

While the skilled nursing care national occupancy continues to be stable, there has been variation in the trends among the individual metropolitan markets during the past year. Read More »

Rethinking senior living models

Boomers seek diversity and innovation in their pursuit of the perfect aging-in-place setting. The good news is senior living providers can develop more options, think more innovatively and create more diverse market niches than ever before. Read More »

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 »