Administration

More PEPPERs available now

Long-term acute care hospitals, freestanding inpatient rehabilitation facilities, hospices, partial hospitalization programs and some skilled nursing facilities can now access their Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Reports electronically. Read More »

Hospices: Begin collecting HIS data July 1

Medicare-certified hospices must complete and submit admission and discharge data to CMS beginning July 1 or face a penalty. Read More »

Heard at the 2014 LTPAC Health IT Summit

Didn't make it to the LTPAC Health IT Summit in Baltimore? Here are some of the take-home nuggets and quotes heard at this year's conference during our onsite coverage. Read More »

LTPAC technology roadmap 2014-2016: It’s all about getting connected

The Long-Term and Post-Acute Care Health IT Collaborative is putting the final touches on its 2014-2016 Roadmap for technology adoption in the long-term/post-acute industry this week, and it's about a lot more than electronic medical records. Read More »

CMS to launch code set library for assessment data standardization

MDS 3.0, LTCH-CARE, OASIS... Every segment of long-term and post-acute care uses a coding system to document care actions. But with the new pressure on data standardization, which code set will prevail? Read More »

Dementia-related LTSS: Report offers policy blueprint

A new report offers suggestions for improving long-term supports and services for those with dementia, including changes for residential care and the direct-care workforce. Read More »

Long-term services and supports: Report ranks states

States that use nursing homes less and minimize transitions between care settings earn higher marks in a new report that ranks states in terms of their LTSS offerings. Read More »

Murder case highlights nursing home responsibilities, residents’ rights

A five-year-old case in which a nursing home resident with dementia remains accused of strangling her roommate to death is continuing to raise issues of resident rights, family requests and legal responsibilities for long-term care providers. Read More »

OSHA resource looks to reduce, prevent LTC workplace injuries

Muscle strains, sprains, low back injuries and tendinitis are some of the workplace hazards LTC workers face each day. A new resource offers recommendations to prevent these painful and costly incidents. Read More »

Design guidelines aim to assist those with dementia, sight loss

New design guidelines from the Thomas Pocklington Trust and University of Stirling in the United Kingdom seek to enable those with dementia and sight loss to remain as independent as possible in seniors housing or at home. Read More »

ALFA unveils plans for future in wake of ASHA merger talks

The Assisted Living Federation of America has announced plans for a new name as well as an overall vision for its future in the wake of ended merger talks with the American Seniors Housing Association. Read More »

Alzheimer’s Foundation, architects collaborate on designs for dementia

Two leading long-term care groups have joined efforts to create a best practices guide for building and designing residential and care spaces for those living with dementia. Read More »

Look out! Arbitration provision may not provide enough coverage

Facility agreements with individuals or their representative can sometimes come under attack as to their validity, putting a facility at risk. Can your arbitration provision take the heat? Read More »

U.S. preventable deaths high, healthy life expectancy low in new report

The United States ranks last among 11 industrialized countries when it comes to deaths that are potentially preventable with timely access to effective healthcare, and it ranks second-to-last on healthy life expectancy at age 60, according to a new report. Read More »

Direct-care workers in the Washington spotlight

Improved training, background checks and pay scales for direct-care workers are being addressed on Capitol Hill. Read More »

ALFA’s Rick Grimes to retire

The Assisted Living Federation of America has hired an executive search firm to look for a new president and CEO. Read More »

Long-term care planning, funding examined in survey

As those working in long-term care and policymakers grapple with how such care should be planned for and financed in the United States, a new survey reveals the attitudes and expectations of residents of one large, diverse state. Read More »

An unfortunate involuntary discharge

The kindness of strangers helps an involuntarily discharged nursing home resident with his immediate needs and plans for the future. Read More »

The shock of elder abuse in assisted living

Recent research reveals that executive directors of assisted living communities may not be aware of all of the cases of elder abuse—especially sexual incidents—occurring in their communities. A gerontology expert shares four ways to recognize and combat abuse in long-term care settings. Read More »

Higher or deeper?

Midway through 2014, the LTC industry sits at another subtle crossroad, paved by multiple questions about the short-term and long-term future. What’s hot today is a good investment, but what will be hot tomorrow is a far better one. Read More »

One-on-one with… Mary Ellen Bloodgood

In our latest executive profile, Long-Term Living spoke with Mary Ellen Bloodgood, CEO of Menorah Park in Syracuse, NY, to learn how she was instrumental in turning around a stand-alone nursing home into a campus that serves not only seniors, but others in the greater community. Read More »

Legionnaires’ disease in LTC facilities: A hidden threat

A new standard proposes the implementation of stronger safeguards against Legionnaires' disease, the incidence of which is increasing. The elderly are particularly vulnerable, and long-term care facilities that don't take precautions might find themselves at risk for mitigation and litigation expenses. Read More »

Landscape architecture contest seeks senior living designs

The second annual Landscape Architecture for Healthcare Communities awards program is open for submissions, and there's a category specifically for senior living communities. Read More »

Challenges: Environmental hygiene for infection control [PODCAST]

In Long-Term Living's "Challenges" Editorial Podcast series, we ask industry experts to help solve specific problems within the long-term care and post-acute care environments. This installment: How to improve environmental hygiene to combat infection. Read More »

Battery blues

Car problems can be a problem for anyone. Imagine the frustration and fear of someone with disabilities when his or her vehicle breaks down. Read More »

Remembering D-Day

Today is the day to remember—and honor—those brave men and women of the armed forces who landed on the shores of Normandy, signaling the beginning of the end of World War II. Read More »

12 steps to QAPI: Step 8: Identify your gaps and opportunities

Now that your facility's QAPI plan has been developed and leadership and staff are on board, it's time to put the plan into practice in the constant mission to improve and enhance quality care. Read More »

Cleaning up infection control

Drug-resistant infection rates are rising in long-term care. Healthcare-associated infections result in at least 100,000 resident deaths per year. When was the last time you examined your facility’s cleaning and disinfection protocols? Read More »

Burwell confirmed as HHS secretary

Sylvia Mathews Burwell has been confirmed as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Read More »

Initiative seeks $4.5B for brain research

A new federal report calls for $4.5 billion in funding for the BRAIN Initiative over the next 12 years. Read More »