The New Wave of Foodservice Technology in Senior Care

Policy

Sexual Intimacy and Dementia: Fulfilling a Basic Need or Resident Abuse?

Can a resident with dementia provide true consent for sexual intimacy? Can an intimate relationship, even between spouses, ever be considered abuse? Answer: It depends. Read More »

Will seniors be able to afford your community?

About half of households that have members aged 55 or more years have no retirement savings, and many of those households have few other resources to fund their post-work years, according to a new analysis by the Government Accountability Office. Read More »

Plan for a tornado emergency

No strangers to severe storms, two long-term care execs at an Oklahoma CCRC pose four questions about preparing for this natural disaster. Read More »

GAO suggests ways to fight Medicaid fraud, improve Medicare audits

CMS plans to issue guidance for screening deceased Medicaid beneficiaries, provide more-complete data for screening Medicaid providers and consider whether the performance of Medicare administrative contractors can be improved. Read More »

White House Conference on Aging announces date for national event

July 13 will be the date for the White House Conference on Aging national event, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced today. Read More »

Organizations respond to proposed Medicaid changes

Leaders from organizations representing providers of housing, care and services for older adults say they continue to scrutinize the 653-page proposal of reforms to Medicaid managed care plans that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued May 26, but they shared their initial reactions with Long-Term Living. Read More »

CMS proposes changes to Medicaid managed care regulations

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing several changes to its Medicaid managed care regulations to modernize them and improve quality in the delivery of care to beneficiaries. Read More »

Nursing home false claims allegations settled with $3.8M payment

Two California nursing homes persistently overmedicated residents, causing infection, sepsis, malnutrition, dehydration, falls, fractures, pressure ulcers and, for some residents, premature death, the federal government maintains. Read More »

A deadly fire sweeps through nursing home in Central China

The importance of complying with fire suppression regulations in U.S. nursing home facilities is underscored by a recent report of a Chinese nursing home destroyed by an undetermined blaze. Read More »

WHO addresses antimicrobial resistance

Delegates at the 68th World Health Assembly endorsed a global action plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance, which they termed the most urgent drug resistance trend. The plan has five objectives. Read More »

MedPAC gets new chair, member

The body that advises Congress on Medicare-related payments to health plans and providers welcomes a new member, a new chair and five reappointed members. Read More »

FDA guidance could undermine safety, compliance efforts, pharmacy group maintains

Repackaging and distribution guidance proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration inadvertently would undermine patient/resident safety in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and also would threaten regulatory compliance, the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition said in a letter to the agency. Read More »

Federal agencies should work together to help adults age in place, GAO says

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services should help federal agencies work together to ensure that government resources related to home- and community-based services are used effectively and efficiently, the Government Accountability Office recommends. Read More »

HIPAA privacy meets BYOD

Communication devices are everywhere. Indiscriminate use of “bring your own device” policies can threaten privacy for residents and your organization. Read More »

Texas provider association notes SNF improvements, challenges

On the heels of an analysis finding the Lone Star State be the one with greatest share of low-rated nursing homes, the Texas Health Care Association has released survey results indicating that nursing home quality there has improved over the past year. Read More »

Using the Readmission RRT (rapid response tool)

A new plan focuses on the reduction of avoidable transfers of residents from post-acute care facilities to hospitals and emergency department admissions. Read More »

Pharmacy group pleased with revised 21st Century Cures language

The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition says it is pleased with the Energy and Commerce Committee’s revised language in draft 21st Century Cures legislation it is considering related to programs to prevent prescription drug abuse under Medicare Parts C and D. Read More »

Provider organizations respond to Kaiser analysis of nursing homes

The lower five-star ratings forecast in February by the federal government are evidenced in a new analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The news is not surprising, say two organizations representing providers. Read More »

Larry Minnix reflects on his seriously fun time as LeadingAge chief

Looming federal elections present the perfect time to step aside and let a successor fill his shoes, LeadingAge President and CEO Larry Minnix tells Long-Term Living in an exclusive interview. Read More »

NCAL announces change at the top

The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) gets a new executive director as David Kyllo shifts to a new role within AHCA/NCAL. Read More »

NOTICE Act introduced in Senate

Following passage in the House, legislation introduced in the Senate would require hospitals to notify Medicare beneficiaries of their outpatient status within 36 hours after the time of their classification or, if sooner, upon discharge. Read More »

Legislation to speed new drug development under way on Capitol Hill

The “21st Century Cures” initiative would spur innovation and drug “repurposing” to attack Alzheimer's and other difficult-to-treat diseases. Read More »

Poll: America not ready for aging population

Adults weigh in on how to address challenges facing Medicare and Social Security in a new Harris poll. Read More »

An interview with ALFA’s James Balda

In an exclusive interview, the president and CEO of the Assisted Living Federation of America sits down with Long-Term Living to discuss the present and future of the organization and of assisted living in general. Read More »

ALFA speakers: Alzheimer’s needs more attention

The effort to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease faces challenges related to funding and clinical trial participation, among others, and yet reasons for hope exist, said members of a panel discussion at the Assisted Living Federation of America’s annual meeting. Read More »

Study: Medicare beneficiaries’ melanoma excisions often delayed

Potential for increased stress, illness and death is increased when surgery for melanoma, a leading cause of skin cancer diagnosis, is delayed. Read More »

ALFA launches Senior Living 2025 initiative

The Assisted Living Federation of America has launched a new initiative, Senior Living 2025: A Roadmap, to establish a united voice around four major issues facing the industry. Read More »

FDA rule requests safety, effectiveness data on OTC topical antiseptics

Gels, liquids or wipes—hand hygiene is encouraged everywhere. Healthcare professionals know how vital hand sanitation is in preventing the spread of infection. Read More »

Pioneer ACOs: Study finds savings without sacrifice of quality

The Pioneer model of accountable care organization has saved about $385 million without sacrificing care quality, according to a newly published study in JAMA. Read More »

Report finds NY nursing home inspectors underreport bedsores

Nearly one in 10 New York nursing home residents have bedsores. An advocacy group has found investigators lax in issuing citations. Read More »