Policy

Watch your back

As OSHA rules become more stringent, senior living organizations are giving more attention to healthy habits to avoid staff back injuries—and not just when lifting a resident. Read More »

Preparing residents for emergencies

All long-term living communities need protocols for managing a wide range of incidents whether the law requires it or not, and residents need to be part of the annual practice drills, says safety expert Stan Szpytek. Read More »

Congress, LTC battle high drug prices

As Congress and Medicare battle it out with Big Pharma, drug prices continue to gouge those who can afford it the least. Read More »

CMS mapping tool tracks Medicare disparities

A new interactive mapping tool drills down to the state and county levels and reveals where the delivery of Medicare outcomes are falling short across 18 chronic conditions. Read More »

5 treatments seniors don’t want in later life

Many seniors’ health goals shift over time, and the focus on quality instead of quantity has some seniors and theri providers saying “no” to certain treatments. Read More »

New CMS data set shakes out the RUGs

The data set examines the levels of care performed and resources used in skilled nursing facilities, including how many days are billed as the ultra-expensive “ultra-high rehabilitation.” Read More »

NIC releases first report in new SNF data series

The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) says the new quarterly reports will give senior housing investors more current data to help guide investment decisions. Read More »

Harness the MDS for dementia care

The federally mandated minimum data set (MDS) is a documentation tool caregivers use every day that can help ensure quality dementia care. Read More »

Washington state votes to oversee CCRCs

The state is one of the first to pass legislature to bulk up consumer protections relating to continuing care retirement communities. Could your CCRC meet their new requirements? Read More »

A closer look at CMS’ efforts to reduce avoidable hospitalizations

Does Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recognize industry improvements? Washington policy expert Robert Gatty looks at whether the government's efforts have been effective. Read More »

F-Tag 309 and the compliance domino effect

Poor training in dementia care documentation can get a facility a pile of deficiencies in a big hurry, explains a national consultant in survey-related regulatory issues. Read More »

CMS pushes interoperability for LTC

The new initiative allows states to request the 90 percent enhanced matching funds to connect more Medicaid providers to a state health information exchange. Read More »

LeadingAge report: Options for LTSS financing makeover

Financing for long-term care services and suppports (LTSS) is in big trouble and needs new financing options that don't push all the burden onto Medicaid.  A new report from LeadignAge explores some alternatives. Read More »

Iowa won’t require nursing home employees to complete dementia care training

State legislators failed to pass a bill that would have required nursing home employees to learn how and be assessed on how they care for people with dementia.  Read More »

Predatory legal advertising: How nursing homes can respond

Legal advertisements that aim to exploit nursing homes often hit way below the belt, and nursing homes have the right to challenge them. Legal expert Alan C. Horowitz, JD, RN, explains what nursing homes can do to fight back against misleading and deceptive legal advertisements. Read More »

CDC, NCIPC launch first national definitions of elder abuse

What constitutes elder abuse? Until now, the answers have depended on what state you live in. Read More »

CMS adds patient experience ratings for home healthcare

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services adds patient experience ratings to its Home Health Compare five-star quality ranking system. Read More »

ACOs thwarted by lack of interoperability

Accountable Care Organizations have spent the past four years struggling to achieve the goals that set them apart. But ACOs still don't have the one thing needed for success: data interoperability. Read More »

CMS examines racial, ethnic disparities in healthcare

Racial and ethnic minority populations are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days for certain chronic conditions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is exploring the relationship readmission rates and diversity. Read More »

3-day waiver rule on the way out?

The 3-day hospital stay rule might be waving goodbye, but the American Health Care Association warns the new CMS proposal would put some nursing homes—and their residents—at a disadvantage. Read More »

CMS finalizes Medicaid prescription drug reforms

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized reforms to the rebate and reimbursement systems for Medicaid prescription drugs. Read More »

NJ governor vetoes staffing minimums

Gov. Chris Christie rejected legislation to set patient quotas for certified nursing assistants who work in nursing homes. The legislation was intended to improve residentsafety and quality of life. Read More »

Hawaii legislature proposes LTC benefits for seniors

Proposed legislation could make Hawaii the first state in the nation to offer long-term care benefits to seniors.  Read More »

Eden Alternative’s Bill Thomas joins Mainstreet

The investment firm's healthcare arm taps one of the country’s most famous senior care culture change gurus. Read More »

Joint Commission launches new certification for total hip and knee replacements

Advanced certifications for certain joint replacement procedures could help the market bring quality to the fore from pre-op all the way to the rehabilitation center. Read More »

Brain Health Registry gets a boost

Thanks to a new partnership, the Brain Health Registry, a global online registry of volunteers who are taking part in data-gathering to uncover new clues about Alzheimer’s disease and how to treat it, could have thousands of new enrollees by fall. Read More »

New bill aims to eliminate manual lifting

Many in the long-term care industry applaud the proposed legislation to require assistive devices in all lifting cases, but no one is sure how compliance will be enforced—or who's going to pay for all the equipment. Read More »

Unprecedented $350 million federal funding increase for Alzheimer’s research

The fiscal year 2016 federal spending bill includes $350 million more for Alzheimer's disease research funding. It's the first time in 12 years the National Institutes of Health have seen a boost in funding. Read More »