Long-term care communities have made strides in technology acceptance, but most still lag far behind acute care in electronic health record system adoption. Read More »
Many residents believe pain is simply a part of growing older or living with disease. Not so, say palliative care organizations that are using September as Pain Awareness Month to re-educate caregivers and residents on how to converse about pain management. Read More »
As we observe National Assisted Living Week, let’s celebrate the communities delivering high-quality care for residents. What lessons can we learn from them? Read More »
Moving LTC residents to the hospital or from one care site to another has some senior care communities picking up the phone--but not to dial 911. Read More »
Participants in a recent study experienced improved performance in three cognitive areas after they played a specially designed video game. Read More »
Is it a matter of perception or denial? Who will you see in the mirror 20, 30 or even 40 years from now? If you’re already looking in the mirror of time, are you a reflection of your expectations? Dr. Judah Ronch explains the disconnect and offers a glimpse into the future. Read More »
The effectiveness of fire sprinklers in long-term care settings isn't usually front-page news, but without properly installed fire suppression devices, the results could be devastating. Read More »
New research finds that older men experiencing the death of a loved one or financial problems are more likely to fall within the next year. Technology under development may help detect such falls, however, and notify caregivers for assistance. Read More »
Relocating to a new nursing facility is not as easy as it sounds, as Kathleen Mears describes in her quest to find accommodations that fit her needs and interests. Read More »
Award-winning author and photographer Judith Fox supports hospice and palliative care on a national level, donating royalties from her newly released book One Foot Forward. Read More »
How far does a “Do Not Resuscitate” order go? In Maryland, the state doesn’t think it goes far enough and replaces the DNR with a new, more comprehensive form. Read More »
Now that providing quality resident care has grown far beyond mere Activities of Daily Living, we asked Long-Term Living's readers to tell us about their communities' new care initiatives, including their clinical monitoring programs, infection control protocols and, of course, how they’re training their nurses and other caregivers to meet the new care quality levels demanded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read More »
Got tech? Many long-term care communities are already adopting electronic health records, but Long-Term Living’s readers told us their technology plans also include e-medication administration technology, wander management/safety systems and an increasing awareness of the business impacts of technology on delivering quality care. Read More »
Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) are doing an effective job of rooting out Medicare fraud and billing errors, but federal Medicare agencies need to be more diligent about tracking cases, a new government report says. Read More »
Percutaneous feeding tubes, sliding scale insulin, urine cultures, antipsychotic medications and lipid-lowering drugs should be used only under certain circumstances, representatives of the long-term care field say in a national campaign. Read More »
Long-Term Living's readers told us about their communities' new rooms, revamped spaces and operational changes during the past year. New renovations and a shift in onsite services are at the fore, including a rapid adoption of in-house memory care services and the creation of dedicated spaces to host them. Read More »
A satisfying shower experience shouldn’t require a magician's touch on a shower wand to provide warm water and pressure, as Kathleen Mears explains in her weekly blog. Read More »
Air Force Village I, San Antonio, takes the top prize in this year's Environments for Aging Remodel/Renovation Award competition by turning the little-used top floor of its high-rise community into an upscale dining venue and piano bar. Read More »
A new app expands on a popular live program that provides an alternative way for older adults with cognitive disabilities to communicate and reflect on their life experiences while enjoying themselves in the moment. Read More »
Twenty years ago, Long-Term Living blogger Kathleen Mears decided that because of her disability and need for additional care, it was time to consider long-term care. She shares her reason for choosing skilled nursing. Read More »
Population trends mean that the current model of family members serving as the primary caregivers for their elders may not work in the future, according to some policy advisers. Read More »
New drug-extraction techniques have turned the spotlight back on how CBD can help to treat those with neurological tremor disorders like Parkinson’s—and the new interest in a “transformed” version of medical marijuana. Read More »
As more seniors age in place, the assisted living model undergoes a substantial redesign to meet the needs of the coming Baby Boomer generation and the increasing need for memory care. Read More »
Nursing homes participating in a new initiative may gain competitive advantages, organizers say. In the process, they could collect data helpful in establishing uniform national standards and evidence-based best practices. Read More »
The recent CMS deadline for fire sprinkler compliance finds more than 1,000 long-term care facilities lacking sprinkler coverage in at least some areas—and risking exclusion from Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement. Read More »
