Assisted living

Redecorate with 2013’s forecasted “hot” colors

The new year is only days away, but it’s not too early to “think Spring.” Consider refreshing the environment of your facility or incorporating the “now” hues into your remodel or construction plans. Read More »

CDC: Make brain health a national priority

Placing brain health among the current national health priorities--like diabetes and heart disease--can give cognitive health the attention and respect it needs to foster awareness and better prevention habits, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Health Brain Initiative. Read More »

Poor vision in older adults: A link to social isolation

Older adults with vision problems curtail social activities because of a fear of falling. Read More »

Top 10 LTC news stories of 2012

The long-term care industry was buffeted by forceful winds of change in 2012. Regulatory, political, economic and societal transitions tested providers’ mettle as the LTC landscape struggles to evolve and adapt. Technological advances and an improving senior housing market were bright spots in a busy news year. Read More »

Washington Update: Republicans fail to support Boehner’s latest fiscal cliff proposal

On the Friday before the Christmas holiday, Congress is still nowhere on an agreement to avert sequestration and the fiscal cliff. Read More »

Alzheimer’s Association releases first comprehensive guide on assessing cognition

Physicians now have a detailed guide for testing cognition and detecting impairment, blostering early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Read More »

HUD gives $26 million for assisted living conversions

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is paying apartment owners in nine states to convert their buildings to assisted living units. Read More »

When high-tech meets low-tech

We’ve got high-tech flooring sensors, in-room monitors for falls management and remote home monitoring.. . but wait—did we forget to redesign the stairs? Today's IOM meeting in Washington, D.C., provides a backdrop for good discussions on technology, health space design and mission. Read More »

IOM’s “Fostering Independence and Healthy Aging Through Technology” conference

Long-term Living’s coverage from today’s "Public Workshop on Fostering Independence and Healthy Aging through Technology" in Washington, D.C.: Senior services leaders present the issues of “assistance technology” to keep seniors mobile and independent. Read More »

AHCA: Medicaid payment shortfalls projected at $7 billion for 2012

A new report released today by the American Health Care Association shows historic shortfalls in what Medicaid pays and what skilled nursing care actually costs. Read More »

ONC releases final EMR testing specs for 2014

No more guessing: After months of drafting and reviewing, the Final Testing Method for electronic medical records (EMRs) has been published by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Read More »

Providing shelter in the storm

One of the more compelling stories that came out of Superstorm Sandy in late October was the major blow dealt to New York City-area nursing homes. Staff and management at The Hebrew Home at Riverdale, N.Y., went above and beyond the call of duty in offering shelter and care for displaced area seniors. Read More »

Working with Workflow: Long-term care’s EMR Technology

Will your EMR grow along with you? Does your information system understand you facility's workflow? Senior care technology expert John Derr explains how to assess workflow amid information technology changes and upgrades. Read More »

Medicare policies complicate aging-in-place strategies

If aging-in-place is on the rise, why is it becoming more difficult for stay-at-home seniors to get mobility equipment? Read More »

IT predictions, trends and challenges for 2013 from IDC

What’s trending for IT in 2013? International Data Corporation (IDC) offers its predictions. Read More »

Assisted living fundamentals continue to show improvement

With continued improvement in occupancy, absorption and rent growth indicators, assisted living’s recovery is moving forward, according to the latest data from NIC MAP. Read More »

7 tips to make your LTC facility shine for holiday family visits

The holiday season is a time when family members are more likely than usual to visit their loved ones in long-term care facilities. Now’s your chance to roll out the red carpet and show families what nursing homes are really about—caring treatment of their loved ones, an engaged staff that considers family members part of the team and good customer service. Read More »

Report examines state legislatures’ 2012 impact on the assisted living industry

Whether legislation and regulation were proposed, enacted or pending, state governments had a busy year reviewing the assisted living industry. Read More »

Study: Constant assessment of medication regimens critical to patient care

A new study suggests that acknowledging healthcare practitioners’ varying perspectives on the purpose of medication reconciliation and their roles in the process might increase implementation in healthcare settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. Read More »

Large parties are not for everyone

Not everyone wants to be the “life of the party” and many people are perfectly fine standing in the background. Is that wrong? Or is introversion unacceptable in the LTC setting? Read More »

HHS says no to full funding for partial Medicaid expansions

The Department of Health & Human Services clarified its position Monday on funding ratios for state Medicaid expansions and published an extensive FAQ list on state health insurance exchanges. Read More »

Washington Update: Medicare, ‘doc-fix’ and the ‘fiscal cliff’

Healthcare policy expert Blair Childs, vice president for public affairs at Premier healthcare alliance, gives his "insider impressions" of what’s happening on the Hill regarding a possible "doc-fix," Medicare funding, and possible Affordable Care Act policy changes as the deadline clock ticks down on the fiscal cliff. Read More »

One-on-one with … Sharon Yester

Sharon Yester, chief asset management officer for CNL Financial Group, the investment management firm of CNL Healthcare, spoke with Long-Term Living on emerging senior housing markets, finding good operators to partner with and meeting the exploding demand for memory care products. Read More »

Drug company must repay Medicare up to $48M for selling unapproved Xenaderm cream

The Healthpoint pharmaceutical company has to give back millions in Medicare reimbursements for false marketing of a skin ointment cream. Read More »

The beginning of flu season

Itchy eyes, running nose, hacking cough…. It’s that time of year when viruses can wreak havoc on an LTC facility. Whether the flu victimizes residents or staff, widespread illness upsets the ebb and flow of a facility's daily routine. Read More »

The 5 holiday gifts Grandma will actually want

What to get Gramma for the holidays? Forget the slippers and focus on a deeper understanding of what elders actually crave. Read More »

2012 National Influenza Vaccination Week

National health groups promote flu vaccine programs for keeping seniors—and their caregivers—healthy this season. Read More »

Studies link vitamin D to cognitive health

Two studies link vitamin D to supporting cognitive health in seniors. Findings show that nutrition is an important part of healthy aging. Read More »

Flu season set to peak early; may collide with holidays

Whether you're a senior or a caregiver, take preventative steps now to make sure your holiday gift isn’t the flu. Read More »

Does cloud computing hold your silver lining?

Cloud computing and software-as-a-service subscriptions can give long-term care organizations access to high-tech applications and business processes at a low-tech price. Read More »