Administration

CMS issues final rule about home- and community-based programs

Alternatives to institutional care are the focus of a final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read More »

Joint Commission releases updated accreditation guide

The Joint Commission has released an updated guide for nursing, rehabilitation, home health and other care providers seeking accreditation or certification this year. Read More »

Merwick wins senior living landscape architecture award

Rehabilitation for the real world inspired this award-winning design for a  therapy garden that brings long-term and short-term residents together in year-round outdoor therapy spaces. Read More »

CMS proposes emergency preparedness procedures

Four components should be part of every senior care provider's emergency preparedness plan, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Found out what the agency is proposing and how you can comment. Read More »

Facility rating, resident quality of life not linked

Certain factors relate to resident quality of life, but the government rating of the facility where they live is not one of them, according to new research. Read More »

Website provides long-term care facility information

A nonprofit foundation is offering residents of one state information about the performance and features of long-term care facilities there. Read More »

Improving the safety culture in 2014

Nowhere in a facility is entirely free of safety hazards. Finding and fixing the potential areas of risk is key to an effective and compliant safety program. Read More »

Infection prevention resource available

A new guide with a CD-ROM is designed to help long-term care facilities create and implement comprehensive infection prevention programs. Read More »

U.S. spends more on SNF, CCRC care, but home healthcare spending growing faster: report

The United States spends more money for care provided at skilled nursing facilities and continuing care retirement communities than for care provided through home healthcare agencies, according to a new report, but spending for home healthcare is growing at a faster rate.  Read More »

U.S. life expectancy challenged despite healthcare spending: report

The United States has not experienced the lower mortality rates and higher life expectancy normally associated with higher health-related spending per capita, according to a recent report. Read More »

Remote monitoring pilot study gets under way

A health insurer and a technology services provider team up to study the impact of telehealth on independent seniors.  Read More »

9 resolutions for the new year

If you’re going to make a health-related resolution, why not make one (or more) that will increase the odds that you will live to a healthy old age? These habits could add up to 12 years to your life, according to the person who shared them. Read More »

Senior care market to grow to $437B by 2018: report

Opportunities to address the housing, healthcare and technology needs of seniors will continue to increase as the population ages, according to a new report. Read More »

Foreign markets attract U.S. investments

Diversity, high-quality assets and an international profile spur the presence and growth of U.S. REITs abroad. Read More »

2013: Year of the long-term care TV show?

A look back at 2013 reveals at least three small-screen efforts highlighting long-term care. Read More »

2014: The year of the ACO?

After a mixed year of progress and stumblings, accountable care organizations are expected to surge as a care model in 2014, according to a year-over-year trends report. Read More »

Most popular social media sites for older adults revealed by research

Looking to reach older adults via social media? A new report details which sites are most popular among Internet users. Read More »

Nurses tops in ethics, honesty: poll

A recent poll asked the public to rate the honesty and ethical standards of those in several professions. The findings contain good news for nurses and nursing home operators. Read More »

Partnerships@Work: Using nutrition to battle readmissions

Food for thought: A post-acute provider and a foodservices company combine efforts to reinvent the nutrition and hydration program for residents. Read More »

Long-term care staff, residents focus of CDC report

A new report from the National Center for Health Statistics contains some surprising and not-so-surprising information for those working in long-term care. Read More »

HIMSS Foundation and National eHealth Collaborative merge

Two national health information technology organizations put their strengths together through a merger. Read More »

Remembering aides at Christmas

Long-Term Living blogger Kathleen Mears’ online accident was the beginning of a happy holiday tradition. Read More »

Memory visits

How do you categorize holiday memories? Visiting with those with dementia gives a new view. Read More »

6 ways to foster staff satisfaction

Communities can take six steps to build effective teams that not only benefit facilities but also benefit the individual employees that make up the teams. Staff satisfaction is at the foundation of it all. Read More »

Top 10 Long-Term Living stories of 2013

Long-Term Living's Leaders of Tomorrow Awards, senior living environments and nursing home regulations were among the hot topics for our social media friends and followers this year, as an examination of analytics reveals. Read More »

Killing the SGR and therapy caps

Congress may be ready to do away with the sustainable growth rate (SGR), re-fix the “doc fix” and ditch therapy caps, but will skilled nursing become the scapegoat for the costs? Read More »

NCOA ‘cautiously optimistic’ for permanent QI fix in 2014

The National Council on Aging is “disappointed” that Congress has not acted to make permanent a program that pays Part B premiums for some Medicare recipients, but the organization remains hopeful that the program will be made permanent in 2014. Read More »

LTSS focus of Senate committee hearing

The recommendations made by the federal Commission on Long-Term Care related to long-term services and supports for seniors and disabled individuals are the focus of a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing. Read More »

OIG releases strategic plan for 2014-2018

The Department of Health and Human Services and its oversight body, the Office of Inspector General, released reports this week identifying strategic goals for the next few years. Read More »

Challenges: Disinfecting soft surfaces [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 combat infectious microbes on soft surfaces like curtains, chairs and sofas. Read More »