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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Communication devices are everywhere. Indiscriminate use of “bring your own device” policies can threaten privacy for residents and your organization. Read More »
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 »
The “21st Century Cures” initiative would spur innovation and drug “repurposing” to attack Alzheimer's and other difficult-to-treat diseases. Read More »
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 »
State stumblings over the e-prescribing of controlled substances is a lesson for long-term care organizations: How ready are you for e-prescribing mandates? Read More »
Independence at Home demonstration projects would continue under a bill passed by the U.S. Senate. The legislation now awaits consideration in the House of Representatives. Read More »
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health deliberated today about a bipartisan bill that would expand veterans’ access to skilled nursing and other healthcare options. Read More »
The federal government says that HCR ManorCare routinely submitted false claims for rehabilitation therapy services that were not medically reasonable and necessary, but ManorCare asserts that the lawsuit boils down to a “billing dispute.” Read More »
Negligence has specific legal definitions—and personal injury lawyers love to muddy them. Long-Term Living legal blogger Alan C. Horowitz, RN, JD, explains what nursing homes can do to protect themselves. Read More »
MedPAC, lawmakers call for payment revisions to cut costs and eliminate abuse in how post-acute care facilities are reimbursed to improve quality of care. Read More »
The National Transitions of Care Coalition launches an online database of applications, tools and educational resources for improving care transitions and quality outcomes. Read More »
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration updated its guidelines for preventing and reducing incidents of violence in healthcare settings. Read More »
As the U.S. Senate continues its spring recess, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has clarified what actions it will take until mid-April. Several provisions that may be addressed by passage of a “doc fix” bill expired today. Read More »
Top leaders in healthcare policy discuss how to change the culture of dying to one driven by residents instead of physicians—and how to find more insurance models to pay for hospice and palliative care. Read More »
The government’s healthcare fraud prevention and enforcement efforts recovered $3.3 billion in fiscal year 2014 from individuals and companies that attempted to defraud federal health programs serving seniors and others, according to a new report. Read More »
The quality of manufacture and efficacy may be called into question when the country of origin is a mystery to the user. Made in U.S.A. Foundation stresses the importance of labeling medications and supplements. Read More »
Senate and House leaders have introduced legislation to replace the Medicare sustainable growth rate formula tied to physician compensation, but organizations representing aging services providers are expressing concerns related to Medicare therapy caps and payment cuts to providers of post-acute care. Read More »
A California nursing home is the first skilled nursing facility in the country to receive certification for memory care under the Joint Commission’s new program. Read More »
Assisted living communities and home health agencies will be some of the next frontiers for the federal government’s efforts to reduce the use of antipsychotic medications in those with dementia, following a recommendation from the Government Accountability Office. Read More »
Two recent fires—one a tragedy, one a triumph—prove the wisdom of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandate to require sprinkler systems in skilled nursing facilities. Read More »
An examination of recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Nursing Home Compare data generates disturbing insights on the number of fines levied on skilled nursing facilities. Read More »
