Assisted living

Ventas acquisition to make it largest healthcare REIT

Real estate investment trust (REIT) Ventas Inc. will acquire all of the outstanding shares of American Realty Capital Healthcare Trust Inc. in a $2.6 billion stock and cash transaction that will make it the largest healthcare REIT in the country. Read More »

The walk-and-roll outing

An outdoor outing might seem like a simple pleasure, but it can present challenges to long-term care residents. Overcoming the difficulties mobility issues can present are worth it to give residents a break from the routines of facility life. Read More »

Wheelchair workouts improve mobility and more

Sitting in a wheelchair does not mean that a person is incapable of physical activity or the benefits that regular exercise can bring.  Read More »

Let them eat print!

The space program introduced a nation to Tang beverage crystals and the microwave. A new technology may change the way that long-term care residents dine. Read More »

Seniors’ use of medical marijuana in ALFs and SNFs

Massachusetts’ implementation of a “medical marijuana law,” and how it applies to assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facilities, is, of course, of special interest to providers in that state, but it may hold lessons for senior living communities elsewhere as well. Read More »

Study: 1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries affected by medical injury

Older adults in poor health or with disability are more at risk to suffer from long-term effects of medical injury (adverse medical events), a study finds. Read More »

You are out of…

Missing doses of a medication can be problematic—even dangerous—for residents in long-term care. Why does a prescription run out before it should? Read More »

Obama announces OMB, HUD nominations

President Barack Obama has announced nominations for the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and one organization representing aging-services providers is commenting on the decisions. Read More »

Kelly, Giffords discuss resiliency of human spirit

At the Assisted Living Federation of America's annual conference, retired astronaut and Navy Captain Mark Kelly and his wife, retired Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, shared lessons learned through their work and her recovery from a shooting. Read More »

ALFA bestows awards

Dedication and innovation were recognized when the Assisted Living Federation of America bestowed awards on individuals and organizations at its annual conference. Read More »

Dementia training improves care delivery: speakers

Two speakers at the Assisted Living Federation of America annual conference discussed ideal components of dementia training programs and also reviewed initiatives implemented or under consideration in various states across the country. Read More »

How to serve those on Medicaid through assisted living

The state of the economy and the continuing aging of the population mean that interest in the "affordable assisted living" model–serving those receiving Medicaid assistance–is growing, according to speakers at the Assisted Living Federation of America annual conference. They shared tips for those interested in operating properties under this model. Read More »

Survey reveals senior living wishes of prospective residents

A new survey provides some insights into how Americans select senior living communities for themselves or their loved ones. Read More »

PointClickCare debuts technology platform for assisted living

PointClickCare introduced its platform to address the increasing acuity, staffing and risk mitigation needs of assisted living providers at the Assisted Living Federation of America annual conference. Read More »

An extra cup of coffee may ward off diabetes

Adding just one more cup of coffee to your diet each day may help to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study. Read More »

Adult portable bed handles recalled

A potential for injury and/or death from bed handles that can cause entrapment without safety straps triggers a voluntary recall. Read More »

Adaptive spoon cancels hand tremors

People with Parkinson’s disease or essential tremors have difficulty getting food from the plate to their mouth. New technology helps to restore dignity in dining. Read More »

Beyond Bingo: Activity director role evolves

The days of simply keeping residents occupied are over, and the focus has turned squarely on making sure that meaningful, person-centered activities contribute to a life worth living—and celebrating. As always, long-term care communities and their activity directors are rolling up their sleeves and taking the challenge to heart. Read More »

Senior housing development: Boom or bust for investors?

The senior demographic keeps growing, but is the senior housing market overbuilding and exceeding the demand? Read More »

Therapy cap insanity on Capitol Hill

Will Congress ever fix the therapy caps problem? Long-Term Living Washington writer Bob Gatty takes a fresh look at an ongoing problem. Read More »

Study finds slower growth in per-capita healthcare spending in the senior sector

A recently released CMS study analyzed the growth of per-capita healthcare spending trends for all age groups and by gender. Read More »

Protecting seniors from abuse is a national priority

Elder abuse happens more often than people like to admit. Whatever form the abuse takes—whether it’s physical, mental or financial—the costs are too high. Read More »

EFACon opening keynote: What’s the recipe for the longest, happiest life?

Forget the fictitious fountain of youth. Environments for Aging Conference opening keynote speaker Nick Buettner explores what it really takes to live the longest, healthiest life possible. Read More »

Turn it down!

Some people hear every sound, while the sound others hear are muted or distorted by competing noise. Unwanted noise and volume can create an audiologic assault and distraction. Read More »

Functional programming aids person-centered care

Functional programming is an ideal planning approach to use if your community wishes to make design changes as part of an operational move to a more person-centered approach to resident living, say speakers at the Environments for Aging Conference. Read More »

6 questions to ask LGBT residents

Nurses are key contacts in addressing the challenges of LGBT older adults to improve quality of care for this culturally diverse segment of the LTC population. Read More »

New drug treatment for COPD receives FDA approval

FDA approves a new weapon that will be added to the arsenal of medications used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Read More »

Memories of Brutus

Studies have shown that facility pets are proven “caregivers” who provide love and comfort to the residents and staff they live with. Read More »

Mentoring future residents

An expert at helping older adults downsize and move to senior living communities has some advice for those communities. Read More »

May is Older Americans Month

Their numbers continue to grow and they still exert a powerful impact on their families, friends, community and society as a whole. It’s time to honor and celebrate older adults. Read More »