Assisted living

Waiting in the bathroom

One person’s bad day can create a bad day for everyone around. How an out-of-sorts aide caused her resident and her suitemates to be inconvenienced. Read More »

Athletes conquer the field, set new records at National Senior Games

Live coverage from the National Senior Games: Whether it's running the track, tossing a javelin, pole-vaulting or throwing a discus, senior athletes prove that winning the long race is about camaraderie while striving for their personal best. Read More »

Medicare spending varies geographically due to post-acute care differences: IOM

Differences in the use of care at SNFs, rehab facilities and other post-acute settings largely account for variation in Medicare spending across geographic areas, according to a new report. Read More »

The power of partnerships

LTC facilities know that the best census maintenance comes from a great relationship with the local referring hospital. But increasingly, the community win-win factor for LTC is in making the right friends, and in partnering with the right local service partners before your competition does Read More »

Senior Games cyclist benefits from retirement community wellness center

Live coverage from the National Senior Games: One retirement community opened its wellness center membership to area residents and helped a National Senior Games cyclist prepare for the 2013 competition. Such centers can offer health advantages to everyday seniors as well—and reap benefits for retirement communities in the process. Read More »

Swimmers make a splash at the National Senior Games

Live coverage from the National Senior Games: Spending an afternoon watching senior swimmers go head to head in pursuit of a medal was a great way to refocus on the advantages of pursuing wellness. These fierce competitors are here for more than a dip in the pool. Read More »

Senior women seeking senior men… for sport

The opening of the National Senior Games means Cleveland is full of athletic seniors who are so eager to share their love of sports they’re willing to advertise it. Read More »

Seniors missing vaccinations, preventive care; geography affecting healthy life expectancy

Seniors are deficient in receiving certain preventive services, and where they reside could affect the number of years they can expect to live in good health, according to recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More »

Safety ranks #1 on assisted living satisfaction survey

Seniors are feeling happy and secure in assisted living communities, a new poll shows. Read More »

New TeamSTEPPS program tackles safety & communication issues in LTC

Health professionals in Connecticut adapt the TeamSTEPPS safety training program specifically for long-term care settings. Read More »

Integrative medicine is an effective approach to chronic pain management

Recent research shows that the management of chronic pain, can be enhanced by incorporating holistic, person-centered practices, such as touch, yoga and acupuncture, in the therapeutic regimen. Read More »

Medical record access focus of 10-state HIE effort

Ensuring the availability of medical records after a disaster is the goal of a new collaboration involving 10 states. Read More »

National Senior Games kick off in Cleveland

Thousands of champion athletes from across the country gather this month to compete for the nation’s top sports glories—and all the competitors are over 50. Read More »

Alzheimer’s research gets boost from genetic database

A new database of whole genome sequences aims to help scientists working to diagnose, treat, prevent and cure Alzheimer’s disease. Read More »

Non-Medicaid services funding not matching demand

States are encountering increasing demands for non-Medicaid services, such as senior centers and transportation services, but they are not increasing funding for such services, according to a new report. Read More »

Medical students mentored by people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease

First-year medical students “buddy” up with people with Alzheimer’s disease for a one-on-one learning experience, using a program developed by the Northwestern University Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Read More »

House reps votes to delay employer, individual insurance mandates by one year

Following President Obama’s July 2 announcement to delay the employer insurance benefits mandate required by the ACA, the U.S. House voted today to delay the individual insurance mandate as well. But will the Senate agree? Read More »

Is 90 the new 80?

People in their 90s increasingly have better overall functioning, according to one newly published study. Other recent research, however, indicates that improved public health programs focused on particular health issues may be necessary to help Americans reach that age. Read More »

Agencies seek strategies for nationwide falls management study

If your organization has a successful, multifaceted strategy for reducing falls, the National Institute on Aging wants your ideas for its next clinical trial. Read More »

AHCA/NCAL announces award recipients

AHCA/NCAL’s annual awards program highlights the efforts of exceptional caregivers and volunteers across the country. Read More »

9 ACOs plan to leave Pioneer Program

After one year, quality benchmarks may be up, but cost savings are not—and nine ACOs have decided to leave the Pioneer ACO program, CMS announced today. Read More »

Report lists 30 ways to address cognitive health

More than 280 public health experts put their heads together to come up with 30 ways to promote cognitive functioning and address impairment. A new report contains advice for those working with or caring for those with dementia. Read More »

Multidisciplinary approach to LTC gains traction

The multidisciplinary approach to providing care with coordinated, goal-centered teams yields better outcomes for residents in long-term care facilities. Read More »

DIY Marketing Part 4: Strategic marketing plan execution

Luke Fannon explains strategic marketing plans and overall marketing improvement plans in this fourth and final installment to the DIY Marketing series. Read More »

And the 2013 OPTIMA Award goes to…

The judges have finished their tallies and the results are in: A groundbreaking program in dementia care is the winner of this year’s OPTIMA award. Find out who won and stay tuned for our continuing coverage of their program! Read More »

Ohio taxpayers carry displaced seniors in Northern Kentucky

Because of the state’s shortage of nursing homes, seniors in Northern Kentucky are moving across the Ohio River to facilities in southwest Ohio. And Ohio taxpayers are footing more than half the bill for many of these displaced Kentucky Medicaid residents. Read More »

A volunteer’s intercession

Visitors and regular volunteers make residents comfortable and give them a connection to the community outside of the facility. Kathy tells about her bond with a special volunteer. Read More »

Boehner: Delaying employer mandate should delay individual mandate, too

If the employer insurance mandate gets a one-year postponement, so should the individual insurance mandate, says House Speaker John Boehner. Read More »

Reshaping the design and delivery of dementia care

Long-term care communities learn to orient themselves to each resident's reality to create life-affirming activities, eliminating the one-siz-fits-all group therapy concept. Read More »

Stroke recovery rates tied to ethnicity

Researchers discover that race can play a big factor in the ability to survive a stroke, especially for Asian-Americans. Read More »