CCRC

Air pollution damages brain function, memory in seniors

The risks of cognitive decline in seniors may be up in the air—literally, according to a study on the surprising effects of air pollution on brain functions. Read More »

Thanksgiving thoughts

Throughout the years, it is inevitable that holiday celebrations change. Families grow, they shrink and other circumstances contribute to adaptations in family traditions. Kathleen Mears shares some of her Thanksgiving memories and plans. Read More »

BREAKING: Health exchanges: Holdout states get last-minute reprieve

Today was to be decision day for states on whether they intend to participate in the new state health exchange program, but an eleventh-hour extension from Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius gives the remaining eight states another few weeks to decide. Read More »

Senior care planning takes a woman’s touch, men better at LTC’s financial aspects

When it comes to long-term care planning, it takes a village—or at least the input of both men and women. Read More »

Brookdale mulls restructuring options amid Medicare reductions

Brookdale Senior Living is considering several financial options to refit its operations in an era of Medicare reductions, announced Brookdale's CFO and co-president Mark Ohlendorf today at the Stephens Fall Investment Conference. Read More »

One-on-one with… Eileen Malo

Eileen Malo, CEO of Schervier Nursing Care Center in Riverdale, N.Y., shares her insights on continuing to provide efficient and compassionate care to the growing numbers of seniors whether they reside in an LTC facility or in the community. Read More »

High-tech, high-touch connectivity

While attending the LeadingAge Conference in Denver last month, I had the opportunity to converse with Conrad, a well-spoken 80-year-old who was representing his CCRC board at this conference. What impacted me most about my chat with Conrad was his desire to be connected and to be heard. Read More »

HHS submits rules for state insurance exchange benefits

The Department of Health and Human Services has submitted another rulemaking piece on state health insurance exchanges to the Office of Management and Budget—the last step before publication. Read More »

AHCA launches Ad firestorm at Congress: No Medicare/Medicaid cuts

Long-term care organizations are using an aggressive advertising campaign to tell Congress to end the deep cuts to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. Read More »

Providers get $8.36 billion in Meaningful Use payouts for EHR goals

Under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Meaningful Use incentive program for the use of electronic health records, eligible providers have received more than $8 billion in incentive payouts since the program began in early 2011, according to this week's report. Read More »

Post-acute care market awaits Allscripts’ fate

Just as documentation requirements begin to heat up, healthcare technology circles are abuzz as executives confirm that electronic medical record system vendor Allscripts Healthcare Solutions may be up for sale. Read More »

Recovering from disaster in long-term care

A good percentage of disaster management is “getting your ducks in a row.” Most of this involves establishing appropriate relationships that may be premised on contacts, formalized agreements and memorandums of understanding with vendors of essential services and other facilities that may be needed to provide evacuation and relocation assistance during the disaster recovery phase. Read More »

What President Obama’s re-election means for the future of long-term care

The votes are in: The Obama Administration now has four more years to further the healthcare initiatives begun under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. So, what happens next? Long-term care leaders, providers and industry experts weigh in on the implications of President Obama's reelection for the U.S. healthcare system and, specifically, the LTC industry. Read More »

Prescriptions for disaster

During health emergencies and disasters, two resources can play important roles in keeping seniors and their medications connected. Read More »

Blanket waivers issued for New York and New Jersey in Hurricane Sandy’s wake

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has granted blanket waivers for New York and New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy, easing the regulations required of long-term care and other health providers. Read More »

Incontinence: Documentation risks and payment issues

How many of your residents have some sort of incontinence? More than you think. Improper assessment and MDS 3.0 coding of incontinence can result in inadequate treatment for residents, costly overuse of incontinence products and payment issues for caregivers. Read More »

What are your employees’ most expensive health risk factors?

A recent study links almost one-quarter of employer/employee health spending to a list of just 10 health risks. What’s the No. 1 health risk? Surprise: It’s not smoking. Read More »

ACA health benefits: Some employers rethink their workforce to avoid paying

The new employee benefits rules created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) don’t go into effect until Jan. 1, 2014, but some employers are making changes to their workforce structures already, hoping to avoid the the coverage changes and penalties. Read More »

CMS: Waiver status issued for New York state in Sandy’s wake

An emergency response meeting held by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services answers some questions on coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in New York, but many issues remain for long-term and acute care facilities in other states. Read More »

HHS waives Medicare, Medicaid requirements for NYC facilities affected by hurricane

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today declared a public health emergency for New York City. This declaration allows HHS to waive or modify certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program requirements. Read More »

LTC transitions of care: Get collaborative or play catch-up, says national TOC group

Are transitions of care on your mind? You’re not alone. Read our on-site coverage of the National Transitions of Care Coalition (NTOCC) Midwest Regional Summit, held this month in Cleveland, for tips and free tools to improve your TOC efforts. Read More »

Henry Ford and Beaumont health systems to merge hospitals, LTC care sites

Updated: 5/21/13: Both parties have decided to cancel merger talks for now. The continuum of care gets bigger and broader in Michigan as two health systems join to form one of the largest non-profits in the state. Read More »

Building a CCRC without walls

It may be counterintuitive for CCRCs to expand to in-home services, but some in the industry say it is a brilliant move with little to no disadvantages. Learn how an established CCRC made the leap. Read More »

Hurricane Sandy releases fury on east coast; LTC facilities evacuate

Updated 11:05 p.m. Thousands of LTC facilities evacuate the coastline from Maryland to New York as Hurricane Sandy sets her sights on inland states. Read More »

5 tips to keep emergency generators performing in LTC facilities

The danger of complacency and not performing the necessary “due diligence” as it relates to the installation and maintenance of your facility’s generator(s) and emergency power systems can lead to catastrophic failures. Here are five tips to help ensure that your emergency power system performs to its maximum potential at all times. Read More »

Targeting the adult day care market

Need new service revenue? Two executives from the Francis E. Parker Memorial Home, Highland Park, N.J., share how offering adult day programs can open up opportunities to provide well-needed services while building new bridges to skilled nursing services. Read More »

National collaborative will foster innovation in senior housing and financing models

A national learning collaborative, launched at this week’s LeadingAge conference, is focused on creating new financial and service strategies for senior living. Read More »

A better picture of falls prevention

A three-year video study provides deep insights into falls, including the activities and circumstances that cause the most falls. Read More »

High-cost healthcare consumers remain steady despite recession

Those who accrue high healthcare out-of-pocket expenses got an unexpected cost-saver during the recent recession, according to a Health Affairs report. Read More »

Need technology? Take the trauma out of your IT initiatives

Technology projects planned with the input of all departments have the best staff buy-in and training engagement, says a panel of long-term care project managers who have tackled the IT challenges in their own organizations. Avoid “tech trauma” by learning their tips on IT project strategy. Read More »