The New Wave of Foodservice Technology in Senior Care

Policy

12 steps to QAPI: Step 8: Identify your gaps and opportunities

Now that your facility's QAPI plan has been developed and leadership and staff are on board, it's time to put the plan into practice in the constant mission to improve and enhance quality care. Read More »

Burwell confirmed as HHS secretary

Sylvia Mathews Burwell has been confirmed as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Read More »

Cleveland Clinic’s Cosgrove on short list to lead VA

With the resignation of Eric Shinseki last week, the job as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had an immediate opening. Read More »

12 steps to QAPI: Step 7: Collecting and using data

We’ve passed the midpoint of the continuing series on Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI). Now it’s time to collect and analyze data to improve person-centered care. Read More »

Seniors’ use of medical marijuana in ALFs and SNFs

Massachusetts’ implementation of a “medical marijuana law,” and how it applies to assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facilities, is, of course, of special interest to providers in that state, but it may hold lessons for senior living communities elsewhere as well. Read More »

Study: 1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries affected by medical injury

Older adults in poor health or with disability are more at risk to suffer from long-term effects of medical injury (adverse medical events), a study finds. Read More »

Obama announces OMB, HUD nominations

President Barack Obama has announced nominations for the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and one organization representing aging-services providers is commenting on the decisions. Read More »

The MDS coordinator should report to…?

The reimbursement and information generated by the MDS is integral to a facility's financial health, quality care and outcomes. MDS coordinators need to connect with middle and upper management. Read More »

“State’s here!”

A state survey is an important facet of ensuring that residents receive quality care, yet it always creates a sense of dread for administrators and staff. Residents know instinctively when their home is being inspected. Read More »

Home health providers, others charged with false billing

A six-city effort has resulted in charges against 90 people for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving what the government says is approximately $260 million in false billings. Read More »

Therapy cap insanity on Capitol Hill

Will Congress ever fix the therapy caps problem? Long-Term Living Washington writer Bob Gatty takes a fresh look at an ongoing problem. Read More »

Project aims to clarify home health role for future

The Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation is launching research, a workshop and a symposium to explore the delivery of Medicare skilled home healthcare to a growing population of older adults. Read More »

Study finds slower growth in per-capita healthcare spending in the senior sector

A recently released CMS study analyzed the growth of per-capita healthcare spending trends for all age groups and by gender. Read More »

Protecting seniors from abuse is a national priority

Elder abuse happens more often than people like to admit. Whatever form the abuse takes—whether it’s physical, mental or financial—the costs are too high. Read More »

Leaders of Tomorrow: Beverley Laubert, MA

Congratulations to Long-Term Living 2014 Leaders of Tomorrow honoree Beverley Laubert, MA. The state long-term care ombudsman in Ohio is bringing her innovative efforts to the national arena as chair of the Advancing Excellence board. Read More »

CMS proposes changes to SNF reimbursement

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing changes to payment rules under the SNF prospective payment system, a wage index update, and a Change in Therapy assessment policy update. June 30 is the last day to comment. Read More »

CMS preparing home health rating system

Home health companies, dialysis facilities and hospitals reportedly will be subject to a five-star rating system similar to the one that currently applies to nursing homes and Medicare Advantage plans. Read More »

State makes emergency transportation available

Nursing homes in Georgia can register for government assistance with transporting residents to safety in the event of a hurricane. Read More »

CMS to take a closer look at dementia care practices

An upcoming CMS project will put dementia care practices in nursing home under the microscope. Read More »

New initiative looks for solutions to LTSS challenges

Several former government officials and policy experts are coming together in an effort to find a way to improve the financing and delivery of long-term services and supports for the country’s aging population and working-aged people with disabilities. Read More »

Alzheimer’s plan updates unveiled by HHS

The federal government has updated its plan to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease as well as improve care for those who have the disease. Read More »

May is Older Americans Month

Their numbers continue to grow and they still exert a powerful impact on their families, friends, community and society as a whole. It’s time to honor and celebrate older adults. Read More »

CMS Principal Deputy Administrator Jonathan Blum to resign

Jonathan Blum, principal deputy administrator at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, will be stepping down from his post effective May 16, according to preliminary news media reports. Read More »

12 steps to QAPI: Step 5: Develop your QAPI plan

In Step 5 of the continuing series on Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI), Nell Griffin, LPN, EdM, discusses the importance of establishing a plan to complete the prerequisites to ensure successful implementation. Read More »

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month

It's not too late to inform your residents and community about Parkinson's disease, a chronic, progressive and life-changing movement disorder. Read More »

Feds keep the pressure on

A new “doc fix” law and MedPAC report seek to tighten spending for long-term care facilities. Read More »

State Medicaid agency to monitor social media

One state's Medicaid agency is paying for search and analysis of social media comments and complaints to improve customer service and address perceived problems. Read More »

LTC organizations react to HHS changes

Organizations serving those working in the long-term care industry are offering praise for the efforts of Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as she resigns, and they also are looking to the future. Read More »

Obama praises resigning Sebelius, introduces nominee Burwell

President Obama publicly accepted the resignation of Kathleen Sebelius as HHS secretary and announced the nomination of Sylvia Mathews Burwell, currently OMB director, to replace Sebelius at an April 11 event in the White House Rose Garden. Read More »

Should pharmacists be considered providers?

The Social Security Act says that pharmacists aren't providers. But many in the healthcare industry are now saying the expanded role of pharmacists, especially in long-term care, deserves another look. Read More »