With the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' mandated penalties at issue, hospitals and long-term care organizations are strategizing ways to reduce readmissions. Local communication and partnerships can go a long way in cutting down on traffic through the emergency room's "revolving door." Read More »
Harnessing the energy of interior spaces can change an institutional building into a home. An interior designer takes a look at the power of light, variety and focus points to create peace and comfort within the care environment. Read More »
Hospitals made little progress on hospital readmission rates between 2008 and 2010, and some regions have far more readmissions than the national average. Read More »
New codes, regulations and guidelines for the design of senior living facilities are being developed to support culture change and resident-centered care. Now is the time for long-term care providers to become involved in the development of these guidelines. Read More »
New trio of commissioners brings a wealth of experience to addressing the serious issues of services and supports for seniors and others with disabilities across the healthcare continuum. Read More »
The annual assisted living salary report is out: Find out which positions and regions pay the most—and which staff positions are garnering new attention this year. Read More »
The Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday released dismal statistics on how many employers may stop offering health benefits because of the new employer-based health plan rules. Read More »
The Congressional Budget Office lowered spending expectations for Medicare and Medicaid for 2013-2023, according to a report released Tuesday. Read More »
LTC providers are poised to play a big part in turning around the trend of high hospital readmissions with the ever-increasing tools and support continuing to be generated by the innovative within their own industry. Three providers share their effective strategies. Read More »
In this blog, Pamela Tabar recounts her two-week visit with a group of septuagenarians, and how snowbirding seniors can teach us a lot about the high-tech, high-service expectations senior living organizations are going to have to meet--starting now. Read More »
Shelley Silverman King, RN, explains how a Massachusetts facility uses specially trained caregivers and a room full of sensory experiences—music, lighting, hand massage, aromatherapy and other stimuli—to reach its most isolated and lonely population: its residents with advanced dementia. Read More »
How much do you know about your GPO? CMS has instituted stricter disclosure rules pertaining to the financial relationships between providers and drug and device manufacturers. Read More »
Ignoring resident issues that impact his or her quality of life may lead to depression, inactivity, self-pity or other emotional or physical problems. Read More »
A new program designed for young adults with intellectual disabilities can help seniors overcome their challenges in positive, supportive long-term care environments. Read More »
The Affordable Care Act requires states to have policies to combat fraud, but each state can choose how to do it. A new database shows what each state is doing to combat Medicaid fraud on their home turf. Read More »
Hundreds of provider sites are ready to test the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ four new models for restructuring the way episodes of care are paid for. Read More »
Although therapy billing has taken a lot of the heat lately in CMS’ hunt for fradulent billing practices, the next big target might be something more durable. Read More »
Counting sheep from loss of sleep? Poor sleep can have a direct effect on more than just physical energy in elders, according to a new neurology study. Read More »
Whether caring for seniors in the United States or in a village in the Pacific Rim, providing culture-specific environments and services is taking design in a new direction as seen in three international projects. Read More »
A new report finds that an ombudsman’s ability and freedom to represent elders and people with disabilities is curtailed by some state governments. Read More »
The United States is not alone in confronting and caring for the increasing numbers of people with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias. Read More »
The tragic events surrounding the deadly nightclub fire that happened over the weekend in Brazil should remind occupancies of all types to focus on fire safety every day of the year. Read More »
The long-term care industry has advanced dramatically in recent years when it comes to innovations in healthcare and living environments for our aging population. At St. John's on the Lake in Milwaukee, 20 LTC designers, architects and academics have gathered to judge 59 new senior housing projects. They are a tough and demanding group. Read More »
Whether residents are in short-stay rehab or LTC units, providing the right physical environment backed by staff commitment, can improve mobility and, ultimately, reduce falls. Here’s how one LTC community did just that. Read More »
