Assisted living

Web-surfing seniors reach online milestone

Are grannies the new Internet marketing demographic? For the first time in history, more than half of Americans age 65 or older are surfing the information superhighway. Read More »

AARP launches online personal health record

AARP and Microsoft Corp. have teamed up to offer a free online health record to AARP’s 40+ million members. The tool gives residents and their family members a single online repository for vital health information, and it will assist those who are designated caregivers of loved ones. Read More »

Pentecostal moments in long-term care

Can religion add quality to life in advanced age? Can it do so when dementia sets in? Ethnographic evidence, abundantly found in long-term care, speaks of the salutary contribution religion makes in advanced age. Read More »

Innovation clashes with harsh economic reality in LTC design

When a book that addresses architecture and design for an aging population landed on my desk last week, I was eager to review it. However, the ideals it promotes are tempered by current harsh economic realities in the LTC industry. Read More »

AHCA to Congress: Don’t use Medicaid’s provider tax rates to bail out student loans

The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) tell Congress to stop eyeing Medicaid tax rates as rescue funds for student loans. Read More »

Key considerations when transitioning to an eMAR system

With the growing use of electronic data in healthcare to improve quality of care and lower provider costs, more long-term care organizations are making the transition from paper medication administration records (MARs) to electronic medication administration records (eMARs). Read More »

An apple a day: Female longevity study linked to fresh foods and exercise

Eat your veggies and take a long walk, especially if you’re a woman over 70. Read More »

The changing landscape of assisted living

The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) conference, held earlier this month in Dallas presented this observer a close-up look at the critical issues and opportunities facing a senior living sector in transition. Read More »

AL providers consider negative effects of community-based rules

According to NCAL, both proposed rules would disqualify a community-based provider, such as assisted living or a group home, from participating in Medicaid because they are on or near a property containing an institutional setting. Read More »

Assisted living options grow, while nursing home occupancy declines

A new study indicates that private-pay nursing home residents are seeking assisted living or home- and community-based options. Without the subsidies provided by private-pay residents, nursing homes are left to rely on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. Read More »

Person-centered care: The bottom line

In many LTC communities, the basic need for excellent service has been overshadowed by a single-minded adherence to numerous state and federal regulations, medical regimens and cost pressures, even though service and an environment conducive to healthy living were stated objectives of the organizations. Somehow, companies have not been paying attention to their own core values. Read More »

Senior living execs talk policy, markets and choice at ALFA conference

A rapidly evolving regulatory, demographic and clinical landscape are top of mind for many of the 1,000-plus senior living executives in attendance at this year’s ALFA (Assisted Living Federation of America) Conference & Expo, being held in Dallas Wednesday through Friday. Read More »

Assisted living occupancy resumes recovery

In 1Q12, assisted living occupancy was 88.6 percent, an increase of 20 basis points from the prior quarter and a 30 basis point increase from a year ago. Occupancy is now 130 basis points above the cyclical low it established in 1Q10. Read More »

Florida AL operators have few rules for evictions

When assisted living is no longer the appropriate care setting for an individual, a “move out” may be necessary. Regulations regarding resident eviction reasons and notifications vary from state to state. Read More »

Surplus safety

Can too much safety actually cause harm? Dr. Bill Thomas, Judah Ronch, PhD and Margaret Calkins, PhD, posed a combination of thought-provoking statements and questions to attendees at the Environments for Aging conference. Read More »

Top lifestyle and design influences in senior living

At Environments for Aging 2012, senior living experts weigh in on the lifestyle and design features highest in demand by that most demanding generation: the baby boomers. Read More »

Serenades models advances in memory care design

Serenades of Sonata was recently recognized by ALFA (Assisted Living Federation of America) as a 2012 "Best of the Best" recipient given exclusively to providers with services and programs that are making significant contributions to advancing operational excellence in senior living. Read More »

Encore for EFA’s 2012 Citation of Merit winners

2012’s winning senior living projects were feted at this year's Environments for Aging conference. Representatives of the four architecture firms responsible for creating exemplary and inspiring example of environments for aging accepted their awards before an audience of their congratulatory peers. Read More »

What’s your ideal environment for aging?

The answers vary widely, and reflect lifestyle preferences, health issues and both professional and personal experiences. I’m looking forward to exploring the many strategies and ideas for creating attractive and functional living environments for our aging population at our upcoming Environments for Aging conference. Read More »

Get social—or else!

LTC providers have a dizzying number of items on their ‘to do’ list every day. And participation in social media is not high on that list. However, know this—for your residents, their families and friends, social media is increasingly more important. Read More »

Rethinking environments for aging with growing dementia population

Jail isn’t the answer. Nor are warehouses with room and board. And yet, many of today’s institutions that house and deliver care to patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease often appear that way to family members seeking long-term care for a loved one with fading cognitive skills. Read More »

Surveyed residents in AL/IL housing report higher income, self-reliance and overall satisfaction

The study addressed the costs and satisfaction with the communities, methods of paying for the community, evidence of spending down or giving away assets, financial concerns and the geographic mobility among the residents. Read More »

Leaders of Tomorrow: James Taylor

Congratulations to the fifth of five Leaders of Tomorrow award winners profiled this week: James Taylor, president, Sodexo Senior Living, Gaithersburg, Md. Read More »

Leaders of Tomorrow: Govind Bharwani, PhD

Congratulations to the second of five Leaders of Tomorrow award winners profiled this week: Govind Bharwani, PhD, director of nursing ergonomics and Alzheimer's care, Nursing Institute of West Central Ohio, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. Read More »

Leaders of Tomorrow: Addie Abushousheh

Congratulations to the first of five Leaders of Tomorrow award winners profiled this week: Addie Abushousheh, executive director, Association of Households International. Read More »

Introducing our Leaders of Tomorrow awards

Long-Term Living's new awards program aims to recognize and encourage future leaders, who are so urgently needed during these times of great change, daunting challenges and uncertainty in long-term care. Read More »

Growing ranks of seniors face affordable housing crunch

A new report details the effects of the exploding over-65 population in coming years on the demand for housing and the opportunities available to expand senior housing options. Read More »

From hotel to senior housing

What do you do with a great building that isn’t providing a great return on investment? Shell Point Retirement Community, a nonprofit ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance Foundation, Inc., faced such a dilemma last year. Read More »

5 markets dominate sluggish assisted living construction

As of 4Q11, within the top 31 metropolitan markets, construction of assisted living properties represented 2.1 percent of the existing inventory, where it has been oscillating around for the past two years. Read More »

One-on-one with Loren B. Shook

What should LTC developers know about operational and business challenges when it comes to memory care? And what do they need to know about developments on the regulatory front? Loren B. Shook, president and CEO of Silverado Senior Living, weighs in on these questions in an exclusive interview. Read More »