The New Wave of Foodservice Technology in Senior Care

Policy

Conference on Aging leader, website announced

A leader, website and potential topics for the 2015 White House Conference on Aging have been announced. Read More »

Protect residents from financial abuse

New federal guidance outlines the responsibilities and actions a facility needs to take when it suspects a resident is a victim of a financial crime. Read More »

ALFA board names five new directors

Five new directors join seven officers and 12 members of the Assisted Living Federation of America board to help the organization execute a plan to increase advocacy efforts and other initiatives to address an evolving marketplace. Read More »

Medicare, Social Security solvency focus of reports

Medicare and Social Security Boards of Trustees today released reports predicting the financial future of funds that support benefits, and they offered suggestions for addressing challenges. Read More »

The 12 steps of QAPI: Step 10: Plan, conduct and document PIPs

QAPI expert Nell Griffin, LPN, EdM, offers valuable resources and advice on establishing performance improvement projects to remedy problems in care practices. Read More »

Senior volunteers wanted for Alzheimer prevention trial

A soon-to-launch five-year study to prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease for high-risk individuals will seek volunteers to join the trial in early 2015. Read More »

Sense and reason prevail at CMS

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is set to drop doctors’ face-to-face narrative requirement for home health coverage. Read More »

Who should offer psychotherapy in nursing homes?

A new analysis finds that obstetricians/gynecologists, thoracic surgeons, primary care physicians and others are being reimbursed by Medicare for offering group and individual psychotherapy services to those living in intermediate and long-term care facilities. Read More »

Guest blog: Initiative ponders path for home healthcare in the future

Current Medicare requirements challenge home healthcare, but a new initiative is identifying infrastructure, workforce, research, technology and policy needs to facilitate change. Read More »

Protecting older adults is aim of ‘Chicago Declaration’

Legal scholars and human rights advocates have released a proposal that aims to legally protect older adults under international human rights law. Read More »

ICA focuses on changing dementia care delivery

The new International Caregivers Association (ICA) offers techniques, support and training to all caregivers and providers involved with the care of people suffering from dementia care. Read More »

Projects for frail elderly receive federal funding

Collaboration and technology figure prominently in projects across the country earmarked for up to $360 million in funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Care Innovation Awards program. Read More »

Elder abuse focus of new government effort

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services have announced an Elder Justice Roadmap "for tackling the highest priority challenges to elder abuse prevention and prosecution." Read More »

CMS may require meaningful use-certified EHRs for chronic care services

A new CMS proposed rule could bring the Meaningful Use EHR program to the realm of long-term care in a meaningful way. Read More »

12 steps to QAPI: Step 9: Prioritize quality opportunities and charter PIPs

Identifying problem areas, establishing goals, selecting committees and accessing data to enhance quality are components that determine whether a facility should charter a performance improvement committee. Read More »

CMS seeks feedback on quality reporting

Love or hate quality reporting? Here's your chance to share your insights with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read More »

Home health payments reduced $58 million under CMS proposal

Payments to home health agencies would decrease by 0.3 percent in fiscal year 2015 under changes to the Medicare prospective payment system proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS will accept comments on the proposal until Sept. 2. Read More »

CMS updates ‘special focus facilities’ list

Fifteen skilled nursing facilities or nursing facilities have joined the latest Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services list of poor survey performers. Read More »

Another battle won in the war on tobacco

Smoke-free nursing homes are becoming the norm. Long-Term Living blogger Kathleen Mears shares her opinions on the benefits of a total ban on tobacco products. Read More »

More PEPPERs available now

Long-term acute care hospitals, freestanding inpatient rehabilitation facilities, hospices, partial hospitalization programs and some skilled nursing facilities can now access their Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Reports electronically. Read More »

Hospices: Begin collecting HIS data July 1

Medicare-certified hospices must complete and submit admission and discharge data to CMS beginning July 1 or face a penalty. Read More »

LTPAC technology roadmap 2014-2016: It’s all about getting connected

The Long-Term and Post-Acute Care Health IT Collaborative is putting the final touches on its 2014-2016 Roadmap for technology adoption in the long-term/post-acute industry this week, and it's about a lot more than electronic medical records. Read More »

Dementia-related LTSS: Report offers policy blueprint

A new report offers suggestions for improving long-term supports and services for those with dementia, including changes for residential care and the direct-care workforce. Read More »

Long-term services and supports: Report ranks states

States that use nursing homes less and minimize transitions between care settings earn higher marks in a new report that ranks states in terms of their LTSS offerings. Read More »

ALFA unveils plans for future in wake of ASHA merger talks

The Assisted Living Federation of America has announced plans for a new name as well as an overall vision for its future in the wake of ended merger talks with the American Seniors Housing Association. Read More »

Direct-care workers in the Washington spotlight

Improved training, background checks and pay scales for direct-care workers are being addressed on Capitol Hill. Read More »

ALFA’s Rick Grimes to retire

The Assisted Living Federation of America has hired an executive search firm to look for a new president and CEO. Read More »

Long-term care planning, funding examined in survey

As those working in long-term care and policymakers grapple with how such care should be planned for and financed in the United States, a new survey reveals the attitudes and expectations of residents of one large, diverse state. Read More »

An unfortunate involuntary discharge

The kindness of strangers helps an involuntarily discharged nursing home resident with his immediate needs and plans for the future. Read More »

One-on-one with… Mary Ellen Bloodgood

In our latest executive profile, Long-Term Living spoke with Mary Ellen Bloodgood, CEO of Menorah Park in Syracuse, NY, to learn how she was instrumental in turning around a stand-alone nursing home into a campus that serves not only seniors, but others in the greater community. Read More »