Volunteers are key components to the success of many organizations, especially LTC organizations. However, without a good risk management plan, volunteer programs can expose your organization to additional risks of a loss, damage to your reputation or even imperil operations. Read More »
Incontinence management is a critical issue in skilled nursing facilities, especially as it relates to increased regulatory oversight, budgetary considerations, rehospitalization rates and quality of life for residents. The proper documentation of incontinence is essential in the clinical record and in the MDS database. Read More »
Several recent studies show varying levels of success for infection-reduction programs, including efforts to curb MRSA, CLABSI and CAUTI rates. But the jury is still out on whether healthcare-associated infection (HAI) programs are making progress because of Medicare's new policies—or in spite of them. Read More »
The centralized MDS department and decentralized MDS department each has its pros and each structure can put organizations at risk for survey deficiencies, lost revenue and poor satisfaction among residents and staff. Read More »
Is long-term care the corporate “little engine that could”? Business strategy author Jim Collins, the keynote speaker at Monday’s opening of the AHCA/NCAL Annual Conference and Expo, offers inspiration to attendees on being successful in business amid the challenges that the LTC market presents. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) skilled nursing facility 2012 Final Rule has had a huge impact on SNFs that were still adjusting to the transition to MDS 3.0 the previous year. Read More »
A few raindrops didn't dampen the spirits of more than 2,000 attendees and 350+ vendors who celebrated the resilience and discussed the challenges of long-term care on today's opening day of the AHCA/NCAL Conference and Expo in Tampa, Fla. Read More »
Bathing is a regular part of routine hygiene and good skin care, but for a person with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, it can be an upsetting, even terrifying, experience. Read More »
Sharon A. Nazarchuk and Timothy Legg studied a pool of skilled nursing facilities to uncover discrepancies in survey data, including why skilled nursing facilities can fail to employ qualified activity directors yet still escape citations during the survey process. Read More »
Engaging residents to learn more about their medical diagnoses can be a challenge, but seven simple approaches can bring information on illnesses and conditions to the community—for the benefit of both residents and caregivers—and keep the doorways to conversation open. Read More »
The rise of the Internet has resulted in a major shift not only in consumer buying behavior but also the consumer’s influence on the buying behavior of others. In fact, consumers today wield a power that can make or break a company. The result: Companies need to monitor and manage their online reputations carefully. Read More »
Five of the leading U.S. healthcare organizations got a prickly letter from the Department of Justice and Health & Human Services Monday: Stop misusing documentation and electronic medical record technology systems for fraudulent billing purposes, or else. Read More »
Joining an organization with problems can “make or break” a new administrator or DON. This could be an opportunity to become a hero, not only to the organization but to the residents as well. Read More »
The United States isn’t the only country experiencing explosive growth within the senior demographic. As the elderly population and the costs of senior care rise across the globe, other countries are weighing the U.S. long-term care experience. How will they handle the need for expanded senior services? Read More »
Senior housing developers and lenders are engaging this week in the delicate art of the deal at the 22nd NIC (National Investment Center) National Conference. This year’s mood is decidedly less gloomy than in recent years and even, observers suggest, cautiously optimistic. Read More »
For senior mental health outreach, one size does not fit all. Programs designed to engage seniors within their specific spaces and cultures have the highest success, say behavioral health experts. Are you reaching out across the diversity within your communities? Read More »
Seniors are highly susceptible to foodborne illnesses. Providers, caregivers and independent seniors need better access to materials that explain safe food handling practices to reduce this threat. Read More »
Long-Term Living talks with Dianne Timmering, vice president of spirituality at Signature HealthCARE, about how Signature has revamped its corporate culture and employee retention strategy while providing spiritual support for its residents. Read More »
The long-term care industry has launched a campaign to oppose "devastating" sequestration cuts. An AHCA ad campaign came less than a week after the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a report detailing how federal agencies would implement the $110 billion in mandatory, across-the-board budget cuts for 2013. Read More »
Nursing care occupancy continued its slow decline, which is a trend that has been in place since 2007, reports NIC MAP. During the second quarter of 2012, nursing care occupancy was 87.9 percent, which was a 30 basis point decline from the prior quarter and 40 basis points lower than a year ago. Read More »
Complaints filed with the FTC claim that two Internet-based LTC placement companies allowed consumers to believe that the companies researched the facilities they recommended. Read More »
There are many ways to bring food to the table. Family-style dining encourages socialization, better nutritional intake and an improved quality of life for residents. Get staff on board to make this mealtime method a success. Read More »
As the baby boomer generation ages, long-term care is seeing an emergence of care facilities and policies that are designed to bring care equity to residents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. How have you taken proactive steps to make sure your caregivers are educated in cultural acceptance? Read More »
Skilled nursing facilities should carefully consider what constitutes legitimate quality assurance or otherwise privileged documents and how best to protect those documents. Read More »
Since 1996, Long-Term Living has honored long-term care communities that are proactive with programs that go “above and beyond” routine care for their residents with our prestigious OPTIMA Award. It is conferred by a jury of LTC peers from submitted entries. This year’s winner is St. Leonard Franciscan Living Community of Centerville, Ohio. Congratulations! Read More »
To achieve the best results, pain management interventions should be customized for each individual. Krista Das, director of marketing and communications for AMDA–Dedicated to Long Term Care Medicine, discusses the myths and methods concerning the use of opiods in LTC pain management. Read More »
Mandating that nursing home providers institute both a formal, facility-wide compliance and quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) program while enhancing nurse aide training across their facilities, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) aims to elevate the quality of care in America’s nursing homes over the next few years. Read More »
Developing relationships with potential referral sources is one of the most important duties of a senior living executive. One provider found that offering CE courses helped acquaint referral sources with its community while providing these professionals with valuable content. Read More »
In over 16 years living in nursing homes I have spent many tense days waiting while my room’s floor was cleaned. For the last few weeks maintenance has been doing resident room floors. I have made my way around the furniture in the hallway, while maintenance men dashed between rooms stripping and buffing the floors. Read More »
Seniors housing has staged a recovery from the dark days of 2006. Today, lenders have money to deploy and developers and owners have plans on the drawing board to make senior living and attractive and quality option for the new generation of older Americans. Read More »
