Resident Care

Depression is biggest factor affecting those with Parkinson’s

The No. 1 factor impacting health status in residents with Parkinson’s disease isn’t the shakes and the loss of muscle control—it’s the depression. Read More »

Exercise boosts brain health and improves Parkinson’s, imaging studies show

One way to enhance the brain’s “little gray cells” and to stave off the effects of Parkinson’s and dementia may be pedaling that bicycle, note researchers presenting at RSNA, the world’s largest radiology conference. Read More »

Reducing antipsychotic medications? Try these behavioral interventions

With the recent focus on reducing antipsychotics in long-term care and substituting behavioral interventions, facilities may be left wondering what interventions to use and how to implement them. Here are ideas on how to prevent, investigate and monitor agitation on your units and address staffing needs to ease the transition from antipsychotic medication. Read More »

Air pollution damages brain function, memory in seniors

The risks of cognitive decline in seniors may be up in the air—literally, according to a study on the surprising effects of air pollution on brain functions. Read More »

Thanksgiving thoughts

Throughout the years, it is inevitable that holiday celebrations change. Families grow, they shrink and other circumstances contribute to adaptations in family traditions. Kathleen Mears shares some of her Thanksgiving memories and plans. Read More »

A long-term care life without mirrors

Life without mirrors does not seem strange until I go to a store where there are many. Then, without trying I get an occasional glance of my hair or skin to see how my face is aging. Sometimes I am aghast thinking I look tired. Other times I look quickly and just keep moving. Read More »

Prescriptions for disaster

During health emergencies and disasters, two resources can play important roles in keeping seniors and their medications connected. Read More »

Incontinence: Documentation risks and payment issues

How many of your residents have some sort of incontinence? More than you think. Improper assessment and MDS 3.0 coding of incontinence can result in inadequate treatment for residents, costly overuse of incontinence products and payment issues for caregivers. Read More »

Voting in a nursing home

When I first went to a nursing home in 1996, I did not know how voting was handled. When I learned I would be voting in a group with a person from the board of elections assisting, I was uncomfortable. Read More »

Medicare rule is a barrier to hospice, study finds

Skilled nursing or hospice? Medicare policy prevents residents from seeking both types of care simultaneously, which can result in unwanted levels of treatment at the end of life, especially for residents with dementia. Read More »

How to help new residents adapt to nursing home life

The Savvy Resident’s Guide, a book written by psychologist and Long-Term Living contributing writer Eleanor Feldman Barbera, covers just about every concern a new nursing resident might have, explaining how nursing homes work and how people can make the most of their stays. I encourage LTC providers to consider providing this book to residents and their families upon admission. Read More »

Study shows drug costs for normal aging conditions surpass costs of treating most chronic diseases

Prescription drug treatment regimens for conditions that are a normal part of aging are now costing the nation more than many serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, according to a new study. Read More »

Law firm launches nursing home neglect site

One law firm has created a website to educate consumers about nursing home neglect—and to give them easy access to lawyers who specialize in eldercare neglect cases. Will other states follow suit? Read More »

NYC nursing homes struggle in wake of Hurricane Sandy

Several nursing homes in the Rockaways area of New York City, which were heavily impacted by Hurricane Sandy, struggled with flooding and damaged generators, according to a report in The New York Times. Read More »

Hurricane Sandy releases fury on east coast; LTC facilities evacuate

Updated 11:05 p.m. Thousands of LTC facilities evacuate the coastline from Maryland to New York as Hurricane Sandy sets her sights on inland states. Read More »

Targeting the adult day care market

Need new service revenue? Two executives from the Francis E. Parker Memorial Home, Highland Park, N.J., share how offering adult day programs can open up opportunities to provide well-needed services while building new bridges to skilled nursing services. Read More »

Nursing homes in Hurricane Sandy’s path…This is not a drill

A full moon, high tides and colliding storm systems are conspiring to create a “perfect storm” that will bear down on the East Coast next week. Long-term care facilities should initiate their disaster plans now. Read More »

A better picture of falls prevention

A three-year video study provides deep insights into falls, including the activities and circumstances that cause the most falls. Read More »

High-cost healthcare consumers remain steady despite recession

Those who accrue high healthcare out-of-pocket expenses got an unexpected cost-saver during the recent recession, according to a Health Affairs report. Read More »

Congratulations to the 2012 LeadingAge honorees

The future of aging is in good hands as LeadingAge presented its 2012 awards to outstanding individuals dedicated to serving America’s senior population. Read More »

Study suggests social factors play a role in hospital readmissions

A new study suggests that nonmedical factors may hamper hospitals’ efforts to meet CMS’ outcome and readmission guidelines that went into effect Oct. 1. Read More »

Minority seniors fare well in ethnically similar communities, study finds

African- and Mexican-American seniors living in a neighborhood infused with their respective cultures may lead to better health. A recent study attributes cultural homogeneity as contributing factor to reduced rates of heart disease and cancer. Read More »

Low RN staffing hours linked to higher hospitalization, mortality rates during norovirus outbreaks, study finds

Gastroenteritis outbreaks are common in nursing homes. A recent study found that the rates of hospitalization and mortality increased during norovirus gastroenteritis outbreaks in nursing homes as compared with non-outbreaks periods. Read More »

A bad break for sleeping pills?

Recent preliminary research has linked medications that treat insomnia to high hip fracture rates. Read More »

Infection control: It’s time to get immunized!

Coming down with the flu can have serious complications in the elderly. Immunizing residents and staff can help to prevent a serious outbreak in your facility. Take a team approach to assess, plan, intervene and evaluate the threat of influenza for each individual and the facility. Read More »

My new computer’s glitch

I have had my new computer for a few weeks. I would like to say that I have been having a wonderful time with it.  But, in fact, at times it makes me feel stupid. Read More »

Managing assessment and documentation for a successful incontinence program

Incontinence management is a critical issue in skilled nursing facilities, especially as it relates to increased regulatory oversight, budgetary considerations, rehospitalization rates and quality of life for residents. The proper documentation of incontinence is essential in the clinical record and in the MDS database. Read More »

How well can we control healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?

Several recent studies show varying levels of success for infection-reduction programs, including efforts to curb MRSA, CLABSI and CAUTI rates. But the jury is still out on whether healthcare-associated infection (HAI) programs are making progress because of Medicare's new policies—or in spite of them. Read More »

To centralize or decentralize the MDS department: That is the question

The centralized MDS department and decentralized MDS department each has its pros and each structure can put organizations at risk for survey deficiencies, lost revenue and poor satisfaction among residents and staff. Read More »

“Frequent users” are not abusing ER services, multi-state studies say

Seniors have been accused of overusing the Emergency Room, often as a substitute primary care provider. But new studies from a national emergency medicine association say that their ER visits are usually justified. Read More »