In a recent study, Medicare beneficiaries who receive hospice care had lower rates of hospitalization, ICU admissions and invasive procedures at the end of life, along with lower healthcare expenditures during the last year of life. Read More »
The first national joint replacement database issues its first report and intends to add more data sets to improve the quality of joint replacement devices and procedures. Read More »
Nine quality measures will be part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Dialysis Facility Compare star rating program for dialysis providers participating in Medicare when it rolls out in January. Read More »
Four programs addressing dementia care or mental health needs in affordable housing have received grants from LeadingAge and the NewCourtland Foundation. Read More »
Residents can empathize with fellow residents' challenges even as they strive to cope with and overcome their own physical, emotional and/or behavioral challenges. Read More »
Take time this month to honor the hospice and home care workers who provide valuable service and commitment to the people they serve with skill and compassion. Read More »
A national private-duty home care franchisor is one of only two to receive the Enterprise Champion for Quality award since it was established in 2013. Read More »
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 »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is giving the reimbursement nod to a first-of-its-kind genetic test to help physicians choose the best medication to treat depression in older adults. Will this policy help solve the tricky task of treating depression in care settings plagued by polypharmacy and look-alike symptoms? Read More »
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 »
Surveillance cameras don’t always provide the proof a resident’s family was expecting—sometimes it is worse. Kathleen Mears offers a resident's view on this monitoring technology. Read More »
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 »
The effects of high levels of radon gas in homes and buildings across the United States pose a serious risk of developing lung cancer. Take time to test now. Read More »
Preserving continence is important to a resident’s dignity and self-esteem. Unfortunately, some residents have to rely on others to assist them and the timing might not always be convenient. Read More »
The media storm over the Ebola threat is creating fear and suspicion throughout the country. Being aware of the threat is smart, but being obsessed with the remote possibility of infection can be distracting. Read More »
Ebola is in the news, but those working in long-term care face a bigger threat to their health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a wealth of information on both. Read More »
For many people, autumn is their favorite time of year. The air is crisp, the foliage is brilliant and warm days still pop up occasionally, drawing residents outdoors. It is also the season when pollens, molds and other allergens contaminate the air and trigger allergic reactions. Read More »
Various conditions, including age, can affect how the body reacts to a psychotropic drug, such as Valium, as Kathleen Mears found out after decades of use. Read More »
Fighting resistant organisms takes strong tactics because of years of antibiotic abuse. Prevention protocols, adequate staffing and awareness are key to avoiding the creation of bigger, badder bugs. Read More »
Improved quality of life for residents and increased marketing opportunities for the campus are only a few of the advantages of raising the bar on your activities programming. Read More »
Gastrostomy tubes and other enteral devices are not advised for use in end-of-life or advance dementia situations because risks might outweigh the benefits, according to new report. Read More »
Facility transfers can be traumatic for a resident, especially if he or she is not included in the process. It can be upsetting to have to acclimate to an entirely new environment full of strangers and leave familiarity behind. Read More »
My two-day trip to upstate Massachusetts to visit a community instrumental in the 2014 OPTIMA Award changed my view of memory care programs and their ability to improve the lives of residents with dementia. Read More »
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued two contracts in an effort to enable healthcare professionals to diagnose influenza sooner and more accurately. Read More »
