This year’s winner of the Long-Term Living OPTIMA Award, Benchmark Senior Living, has taken dementia care programming far beyond reminiscing, brain-games and once-a-day-activities. Here's the story of how its award-winning programming got started, and how the lives of residents can be changed when engagement happens all day long instead of just during "activity hour." Read More »
Watching television programs on a big-screen TV gives residents an opportunity to share and socialize. But what happens when the set goes on the blink? Read More »
The majority of the professional associations representing long-term care say they support the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care’s goal of continuing to reduce the off-label use of antipsychotic medications in long-stay nursing home residents, although some say more action is needed. Read More »
Following advice from the CDC, you'll want to ensure that older residents and employees are vaccinated against pneumonia at the same time that they receive the flu shot. The government now recommends two pneumonia vaccines over the course of most people's lives. Read More »
Flu vaccination among healthcare personnel is lowest among those working in long-term care settings, but employers can take two actions to encourage it, according to new data from the CDC. Read More »
They never drove Model Ts, but today’s seniors did grow up on Mustangs, Corvettes and Camaros. Because of the boomers’ willingness to embrace new motoring experiences, hybrid automobiles have found a niche in the senior sector. Read More »
The building crisis in financing and providing effective long-term care services and supports is an ever-growing problem as discussed in a report by the Commission on Long-Term Care. Read More »
You'll want to share with female residents this new evidence-based clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians, and it may affect the way you care for those with urinary incontinence. Read More »
While two pneumonia vaccines are recommended to seniors for optimal protection, will cost/coverage discourage them from receiving the second vaccine? Read More »
Living on a budget is hard for anyone. It takes discipline. Imagine if you had less than $100 a month to meet your needs, let alone your wants. Read More »
Long-term care organizations would be wise to reevaluate their dining programs to satisfy the adventurous and sophisticated palates of the new senior population. One noted chef shares his philosophy and vision of wedding good nutrition with high-end culinary options. Read More »
Prioritizing comfort in the care of residents with advanced dementia enabled one nursing home to reap many rewards for residents and their families, the community and staff members. Its innovative model was detailed in a Sept. 8 workshop convened by the Institute of Medicine. Read More »
Scientists who helped develop a surgical technique to reduce tremors and restore motor function to those with advanced Parkinson’s disease have been named the recipients of the prestigious Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Research Award for 2014. With video. Read More »
“The Magic of Music,” notably its positive effects on those with dementia, will be highlighted during National Assisted Living Week, which will be celebrated Sept. 7 to 13. Read More »
Prescribing medication is an art form requiring the physician to weigh the delicate balance between a medication’s benefits and potential risks. Read More »
Caring for residents with Parkinson’s disease requires an understanding of the unique ways in which the disease affects their muscles and nervous system, as well as the critical importance of precise medication management. Read More »
The final chapter in the series “12 Steps to QAPI” shows how preparation, organization, data and action can correct and improve processes to enhance the quality of care your residents receive. Read More »
If a resident tells you he or she is uncomfortable in a bed or chair, listen and see what can be done to remedy the situation. Long-Term Living blogger Kathleen Mears’ caregivers were on their toes and prevented a skin issue from becoming more serious. Read More »
An Erickson Living summer intern shares her experiences of planning a major fundraiser and learning valuable lessons about the importance of exercise to memory care. Read More »
A program to reduce hospital readmissions among residents of skilled nursing facilities has been adapted for use by assisted living providers. Read More »
A recent study in the United Kingdom finds that a lack of MK2/3, a naturally occurring protein, can be linked to the early signs of dementia. Read More »
Facility life can lead to accidental loss or damage to a resident’s personal belongings as Long-Term Living’s resident blogger Kathleen Mears recently discovered. Read More »
In hospitals and long-term care settings, caregivers often have to change tubing on medical equipment. A high risk of misconnection exists because of various compatible delivery systems, so the Joint Commission has issued a Sentinel Event Alert. Read More »
Has your community ever hosted a marriage ceremony? One memory care center did, so that a father could participate in his daughter's celebration. At another, a bride stopped by on the way to her wedding so that the residents for whom she cared could see her gown. Read More »
