Assisted living

5 LTC commissioners propose alternative LTSS solutions

One-third of the membership of the federal Commission on Long-Term Care say that recommendations issued by the commission Sept. 13 are not broad enough, so they have issued alternative suggestions. Meanwhile, organizations representing the long-term care industry react to the official commission report. Read More »

The day the keyboard died

When a simple piece of equipment goes on the fritz it can stop a person with disabilities in their tracks. Finding the right replacement product isn’t always as easy as it sounds, as Kathleen Mears recently experienced when her computer keyboard quit on her. Read More »

World Alzheimer Report calls for changes to care system

In the midst of World Alzheimer’s Month and a day before Alzheimer’s Action Day, the World Alzheimer Report 2013 has been released, containing seven recommendations to address the disease globally. Read More »

Seniors are opting for higher-quality Medicare Advantage plans

It’s open enrollment time again for seniors to select their Medicare supplemental health and drug plans. According to CMS, Medicare Advantage plans will see a very slight increase from 2013 premium payments. Read More »

Alzheimer’s trial studies two drugs’ ability to prevent disease

Researchers are studying two drugs they hope will prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Read More »

CAST launches selection tool for telehealth/remote monitoring systems

Long-term and post-acute care organizations now have a new tool to help them evaluate and select telehealth and remote patient monitoring systems. Read More »

Preventing falls can be within your power

As Falls Prevention Awareness Day approaches, experts offer tips staff members can implement to improve resident safety as well as insights into how falls contribute to vision-related costs to the government, private insurers and individuals. Read More »

Pressure ulcers and the MDS “Planning for Care” guidance

Highlights of recent updates to the RAI User’s Manual relevant to Section M: Skin Conditions and how these changes help to address the prevention and care of pressure ulcers. Read More »

Cases of antibiotic resistant superbugs are on the rise, says CDC

The “superbugs” pose a serious threat to older people, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the findings of the CDC are not all bad—the incidence of MRSA infections is declining. Read More »

Direct-care workers win battle for minimum wage

Direct-care workers, previously exempt from national minimum wage and overtime laws, will now be considered the same as any other employee. Will the change in the compensation laws help or hinder the role of direct-care workers in the expanding field of home care? Read More »

Staffing, introspection can improve resident dignity: study

Administrators and healthcare professionals have roles to play when it comes to delivering person-centered care to nursing home residents, according to new research. Read More »

A challenge worth meeting—and eating

A recent competition among chefs promoted nutritious, tasty recipes for residents of one company’s post-acute and long-term care communities. What unique things are your senior living communities doing to promote senior health? Read More »

SAIDO Learning: ‘It’s remarkable’ [PODCAST]

"It is really remarkable to see." That's how one senior living community employee describes the 2013 Long-Term Living OPTIMA Award-winning SAIDO Learning program designed to reduce or reverse the effects of dementia. In this audio podcast, she details a typical session and explains how the program affects not only residents but also the volunteers who work with them. [4:05] Read More »

SAIDO Learning: Seeing is believing [PODCAST]

"If I didn't see it, I wouldn't believe it." That's how one senior living community staff member working with residents to improve their cognition describes the effects of the 2013 Long-Term Living OPTIMA Award-winning SAIDO Learning program. In this audio podcast, hear what else she has to say about why she got involved and how it changes not just residents but also the volunteers (called supporters in the program) who work with them. [5:55] Read More »

The elusive high five

Aug. 13 stands out in my mind not because of what I did but for what I wasn't able to do. Read More »

OPTIMA Award: How SAIDO Learning works

The SAIDO Learning program is designed to stimulate the prefrontal cortex, resulting in activity that can be measured by two standard cognitive tests. Read More »

One on one with… Chelley Antonczak

Chelley Antonczak shares Eliza Jennings' journey to bring the benefits of SAIDO Learning to the community's residents with dementia. The success of this 2013 OPTIMA Award-winning program is a tribute to the many people who collaborate, volunteer, and participate in a variety of ways. Read More »

SAIDO Learning in action: A typical session [VIDEO]

Three videos illustrate the overarching principles of the SAIDO Learning technique to slow or reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Read More »

OPTIMA Award: The SAIDO clinical trial

A simple, easy-to-learn program that can minimize or even reverse the effects of cognitive decline from dementia? One senior services network put skepticism aside and agreed to serve as the sole U.S. clinical trial site. Seeing is believing, the organization says. Read More »

SAIDO Learning: A timeline

The journey to bring the SAIDO Learning approach to treating Alzheimer's disease and dementia from Japan to the United States began in 2010, nine years after the technique had been developed overseas. This timeline details the process. Read More »

2013 OPTIMA Award: The gift of the present

The Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network is Long-Term Living's 2013 OPTIMA Award winner, honored for bringing a memory care program from a distant land to the United States and integrating the program's vision into the person-centered care delivered across its provider network. Read More »

Telehealth, safety monitoring increasingly popular among seniors, caregivers

Remote monitoring technology capabilities, an aging population and the increased costs typically associated with caring for seniors are combining to drive the global market in elder-care technologies to high growth, according to one research firm. Read More »

Shingles vaccination at 60?

Today, drugstores, supermarkets, wholesale clubs and discount stores advertise their flu, pneumonia and shingles vaccines. But, as Long-Term Living resident blogger Kathy Mears reminds us, immunization can avoid or minimize contracting a very painful case of herpes zoster, otherwise known as shingles. Read More »

Evidence-based design in long-term care

When applied to long-term care settings, evidence-based design can combine the latest design techniques with proven research on what makes residents feel calm, happy and "at home"--and what design elements may actually improve residents' quality of life. Read More »

Commission on LTC tackles tough issues but can’t agree on financial support system

The federal Commission on Long-Term Care makes headway but agrees to disagree on how to handle the financial burden of nation's long-term services and supports used by millions each day to assist with daily living. Read More »

Seniors have too many post-surgery emergency department visits, study finds

Seniors seeking emergency department assistance within 30 days of common surgical procedures experience problems that can lead to readmission, creating a revolving door effect and a lowering of Medicare reimbursement to hospitals. Read More »

Research seeks ways to improve long-term care offerings in reformed healthcare system

An academic powerhouse and several senior living service providers are joining forces to try to find ways to increase the quality of long-term care while decreasing unnecessary healthcare spending. Read More »

Senior living in TV spotlight again

Potty-mouthed? Mournful? These are some of the adjectives being used to describe a new show depicting life and work in a senior living facility. Read More »

Eye disease poses isolation danger in seniors

Increased isolation, decreased quality of life, mood changes and depression are associated with a particular eye disease in seniors, Johns Hopkins researchers have found. Read More »

Texas sees growth in SNF inventory; Ohio’s metro market declines

Three of the five fastest-growing cities for nursing care inventory in the second quarter are in the Lone Star state, while Cincinnati, Cleveland and Seattle see the greatest declines. Read More »