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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Care coordination is the victim of a recent opinion issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, according to electronic health record system vendor athenahealth. Read More »
A recent court ruling means that some facilities will be hampered in their ability to conduct privileged interviews with employees who are healthcare practitioners when preparing to defend themselves in negligence and malpractice cases, says one legal expert. Read More »
A new system will try to ensure that hospices conduct the proper assessments and address patient questions and concerns about pain, respiratory status, medications and patient preferences, according to an April 8 notice in the Federal Register. Read More »
Some healthcare professionals are raising concerns that more stringent glucose monitoring system standards proposed by the FDA would affect availability of the devices for use in nursing homes and other settings. Read More »
Leaders in organizations representing long-term care providers expressed satisfaction with some parts of the proposed law but disappointment with others in this Long-Term Living exclusive. Read More »
The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that delays enforcement of the “two midnight rule” for certain hospital stays as well as creates programs to establish readmission-related measures for skilled nursing facilities and rewards for those facilities that meet them. Read More »
A funny man is tackling an unfunny disease. Seth Rogen's Senate committee testimony and charitable efforts—and their after-effects—are helping to bring attention to Alzheimer's and the need for more research funding. Read More »
In Step 4 of the continuing series on QAPI, Nell Griffin, LPN, EdM, discusses the importance of a nursing home establishing its sense of self and communicating that image to all staff. Read More »
New research suggests how health policymakers and caregivers can better coordinate the transitions of care that find 22 percent of older adults moving from and among hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, long-term care communities and their homes. Read More »
Sufficient staffing is an important, yet overlooked, component in providing quality care to nursing home residents, according to a new analysis. Read More »
Nursing homes must know where they are on the road to quality assurance performance improvement (QAPI). Nell Griffin, LPN, EdM, explains the importance of Step 3 of QAPI implementation: self-assessment. Read More »
Long-term care provider associations express appreciation for the proposed 2015 budget’s support of some senior housing and services but disappointment in potential program cuts. Read More »
An annual report from the Office of Inspector General highlights criminal convictions and recoveries as well as civil settlements and judgments related to nursing facilities, home health agencies and other long-term care and healthcare providers. Read More »
The agency will seek additional input before implementing several controversial proposals affecting the Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D prescription drug program. Read More »
A federal indictment charges that a pest control company’s misuse of products endangered public health and the environment in a score of Southern nursing homes. Read More »
