It’s time for long-term care to stop resisting the use of health information technology and embrace it to provide better care for residents, according to a report from the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology. Read More »
Everyone, including LTC residents, need to be vigilant in protecting their personal documents, especially credit cards, warns LTL blogger Kathy Mears. Read More »
Medicare Advantage seniors living in the southeastern states have a much higher chance of being prescribed “risky” medications, reveals a new study from researchers at Brown University. Read More »
Background checks for caregivers are important, whether working for a facility or an individual, but can you afford to wait until you get the report? Read More »
The punishment fits the crime, as a circuit judge upholds the damages levied against a skilled nursing facility that is part of a billion-dollar LTC corporation. Read More »
Mainstreaming elderly prisoners into LTC facilities has its champions and its critics. How do residents feel about sharing their space with convicts? Kathleen Mears shares her views. Read More »
Trepidation about tripping? Most seniors who have taken a tumble once, will develop a fear of falling again. Helping seniors to overcome the fear of falling starts with a deep understanding of what scares them--and then empowering them to change it. Read More »
Those given the privilege and responsibility of providing care as well as other services to the frail and elderly are placed in a position where their actions must be clear and decisive in times of emergency. Read More »
The report of a retirement community’s nurse who refused a 911 dispatcher's pleas to perform CPR on a woman who had fallen unconscious and later died has sparked public and media outrage. LTC providers have some critical issues to consider when it comes to emergency care procedures. Read More »
When an older person falls, it’s crucial to call caregivers immediately. But what if the caregiver could call the senior, no matter where they fell? Read More »
Glenwood Gardens, Bakersfield, Calif., a Brookdale Senior Living independent living community, is defending one of its nurses who refused pleas by a 911 operator to perform CPR on an elderly woman who later died, saying the nurse was following policy, according to news reports. Read More »
Site security, recognizing and defusing aggressive behavior and workplace violence prevention are topics that should be integrated into every facility’s training regimens. Read More »
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s new proposed rule for controlled substance disposal needs more clarification when it comes to long-term care facilities, a national pharmacy group says. Read More »
On August 13, 2008, CMS published a final rule requiring all long-term care facilities to have automatic sprinkler systems installed throughout the facility. The deadline for compliance with the new regulatory requirement is August 13, 2013. On February 7, CMS issued a proposed rule that would extend the August 13, 2013 deadline. 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 »
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 »
An increased focus by the Attorney General’s office on the conditions in SNFs throughout the state of California mirror the trend of enforcement and prosecution against those in the healthcare industry across the country. Read More »
An out-of-order elevator can not only be inconvenient, but it can also present a safety hazard, as one Canadian long-term care facility recently learned. Read More »
Too much wasted pharmacy stock, no access to the right drugs late at night and nurses spending more time with medication punch cards than with residents. Sound familiar? As managing the pharmacy delivery in long-term care becomes more complex, a mature technology sees a brand new life in long-term care. Read More »
Each year, hundreds of people die in fires caused by heating equipment, including portable space heaters, according to the National Fire Protection Association. While prohibited in smoke compartments where residents are present in skilled nursing facilities, portable electric space heaters continue to find their way into LTC facilities of all types. Read More »
Properly installed bed rails can be protective devices, but if misused or improperly installed/maintained, they can be unsafe for the elderly long-term care resident—even deadly. Read More »
When tidal surges and flood waters from Superstorm Sandy damaged or completely washed away homes this past November, many independent, elderly homeowners began to rethink their housing and safety options. Read More »
Always a stressful situation, a trip to the ER and a subsequent admission present challenges for those with physical challenges that require adaptations in caregiving. Read More »
