The New Wave of Foodservice Technology in Senior Care

Policy

FEMA seeks recovery of monetary aid issued during Superstorm Sandy

Two years later, repercussions from Superstorm Sandy are still being felt by some assisted living residents in Rockaway, NY. Is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s effort to recoup undeserved funds a management error or resident fraud? Read More »

Socks for Seniors: A holiday campaign

The holidays are coming up quickly. Now is the time to start to think about gifts for residents or a resident project to help less fortunate older people in the community. For more than a decade, one organization has helped to keep seniors' feet warm and dry throughout the winter. Read More »

CMS updates Medicare COT assessment requirements

CMS recently updated the change of therapy requirements found in the RAI User’s Manual. Understanding the changes can ensure correct reimbursement and avoid miscalculations. Read More »

Jimmo settlement: Will effects be widespread?

The federal government has reached a settlement about one woman's Medicare claims for nursing and therapy services, but it remains to be seen how far its effects will reach. Read More »

CMS issues final rule with home health payment changes for 2015

Changes effective Jan. 1 will apply to face-to-face encounters, therapy reassessments, rate setting, home health quality reporting and speech-language pathologists' conditions of participation. Read More »

Political involvement: What is acceptable?

Senior living communities can participate in politics—with some caveats. Read More »

OSHA’s here! Know your rights

When OSHA surveyors come knocking, neither the organization nor its employees can be bullied. Compliance expert Steve Wilder explains everyone's rights during an inspection.  Read More »

PointClickCare launches direct messaging tool

PointClickCare integrates direct email messaging into its EHR platform.  Read More »

Glen Campbell, filmmakers show strength in making Alzheimer’s documentary

A documentary, a foundation and training materials for caregivers are arising from one man's wish to share "the gnarly truth" about dementia, and the filmmakers and family members who took up the challenge. Read More »

Leadership upheaval continues at ONC

This week’s departure of the top two executives at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology are the latest in a series of leadership turnovers at ONC. What will it mean for IT initiatives for quality improvement and transitions of care? Read More »

‘Nonprofit difference’ in danger, LeadingAge board chair says

Nonprofit aging services providers must find new and innovative ways to support one another to ensure survival, LeadingAge Board Chair David Gehm told members at the organization's annual meeting. Read More »

IOM recognizes LTSS in electing Stone to membership

Robyn Stone, DrPH, of LeadingAge has been elected to the Institute of Medicine and is one of few in the body affiliated with the long-term care field. Read More »

Medicare challenge: When will Congress be up to the task?

Will members of Congress ever be able to cross the political divide and come up with a workable solution to Medicare funding? Read More »

Care quality, coordination is focus of new ACO model

A new model of accountable care organization will aim to improve care quality and coordination in rural and underserved areas through the use of health information technology. Read More »

Readmission, death rates not necessarily reflected by SNF quality measure performance

A new study in JAMA examined whether a skilled nursing facility’s performance on quality measures is a reliable indicator of the likelihood that those it treats will or will not be rehospitalized or die within 30 days of being discharged from the hospital. Read More »

Extendicare to pay $38M to settle care, billing allegations

In “the largest failure-of-care settlement with a chain-wide skilled nursing facility" in U.S. Department of Justice history, Extendicare and a subsidiary will pay $38 million to resolve allegations of substandard care and inappropriate billing. Read More »

AHCA/NCAL names new board members

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living have elected members to their boards for the 2014–2015 term. Read More »

Pioneer ACOs: Will positive effects last?

Pioneer ACOs have resulted in overall savings and quality improvements in the health system, according to new information released by CMS, but their effect going forward may be muted as participants dwindle. Read More »

Parkinson: ‘It’s time to go on the offensive’

Skilled nursing and assisted living providers must set the agenda and offer solutions to the federal government to address the challenges facing them, AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson told those attending the opening session of the organization's annual meeting. Read More »

A charm offensive?

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living annual meeting got off to a great start thanks to the opening session keynote speaker, Gen. Colin Powell, whose talk seemed to appeal to attendees regardless of their political leanings. Read More »

CMS to overhaul 5-star nursing home rating system

The passage of the IMPACT Act gives CMS new funding to re-do the Nursing Home Compare ratings process. Read More »

Hydrocodone rule effective Oct. 6

A federal rule that reclassifies hydrocodone combination products went into effect Monday, and at least one industry group is expressing concerns. Read More »

International observance highlights needs of aging population

The International Day of Older Persons seeks to call attention to the implications of an aging population. In the United States, some are using the observance to encourage new protections for older adults. Read More »

CMS issues categorical waiver for using power strips in care areas

The increasing use of electrical equipment in areas where patients/residents receive treatment has  increased the need for more electrical outlets to accommodate the appliances/devices. Read More »

National Center on Elder Abuse has new location

A three-year, $2.2 million grant from the federal Administration on Aging will move the National Center on Elder Abuse from one university to another. Read More »

30-day readmissions rate: What’s behind the number?

To complete the readmission puzzle, post-acute care providers should look at three not-so-obvious missing puzzle pieces that go beyond the readmission metric. Read More »

Atty Gen. Holder to resign from DOJ

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Jr. has announced plans to resign from the Department of Justice later this year. Read More »

LeadingAge names first senior VP of housing, capital

Niles Godes has joined LeadingAge as its first senior vice president for housing and capital. He will work to expand affordable housing opportunities for older adults across the country. Read More »

Post-acute care groups applaud passage of IMPACT Act

Organizations serving older adults say they are pleased with Congress’ passing last week of the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014, which is designed to standardize data used across post-acute care settings. Read More »

Sunday, Sept. 21, take a walk for Alzheimer’s

Each year organizations around the world concentrate their efforts on raising awareness of Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Read More »