Skilled Nursing

Electric wheelchairs: A potential safety hazard

Regular maintenance and inspection are keys to reducing potential fire hazards in long-term care facilities and for the elderly and/or those with disabilities who reside in the community. Read More »

Put a lid on it

Some simple advice on infection prevention can solve the age-old controversy between men and women on keeping the toilet seat up or down. Read More »

A growing demographic: Older Americans with disabilities

The next 20 years will see a rapid increase in the number of older Americans with disabilities as boomers continue to step across the senior threshold. Read More »

Balance may indicate stroke, dementia risk in elderly

Over 65? How well you can balance on one leg may be an indicator of brain health and the risk of deep brain stroke or dementia, according to a study. Read More »

It is the thought that counts

Even residents in nursing homes feel the joy in giving as well as receiving. Simple heartfelt gifts are the ones that will be remembered—and treasured—throughout the years. Read More »

Gallup survey: Nurses outrank all professions on honesty and ethics

Who do Americans trust most? You might—or might not—be surprised by the findings of a recently released public opinion poll. Read More »

Challenges to Medicare, Medicaid ahead

A recent congressional hearing is precursor as to what lies ahead for Medicare and Medicaid in reform efforts to reduce costs. Read More »

Coalition challenges the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

A coalition claims federal nutritional guidelines ignore the nutritional needs of children, older adults and ethnic minorities. Read More »

Nursing home care, rehab hospital care not equal, group maintains

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission should reject a proposal to pay the same amount for rehabilitation care whether it occurs in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital or a nursing home, the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association says. Read More »

2015 Business Outlook: Quality

The third installment of our multi-part series on challenges facing those serving older adults looks at governmental and other efforts to improve quality. Read More »

Ohio CCRC takes $23.3M in bonds

Friendship Village of Dublin will use the funds to continue to pursue various projects included in its master plan over the next five years, according to specialty investment bank Ziegler, which closed on the issue. Read More »

2015 Business Outlook: Payment

In the first installment of a multi-part series examining challenges in the new year, Long-Term Living explores why some government initiatives under testing or development give pause to many providers serving older adults. Read More »

Same-sex marriage recognition would be required under rule

Long-term care facilities that do not recognize residents’ same-sex marriages would be ineligible to receive Medicare or Medicaid funding under a rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read More »

Camera catches nurse slapping resident

Elderly Americans have a new ally in preventing abuse by family, staff, home caregivers or other residents--the surveillance camera. A recent alleged case of abuse in New York was captured on camera. Read More »

Dealing with SAD

Many environmental conditions can affect the human condition—the tides, pollution, humidity. Long-Term Living’s resident blogger Kathleen Mears has displayed some of the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Read More »

Antipsychotic drug reduction efforts need more consumer involvement, coalition says

The Long Term Care Community Coalition encourages CMS to include more consumers in its “provider calls” related to dementia care in nursing homes, citing a recent survey that supports this recommendation. Read More »

Employee appreciation is focus of new Advancing Excellence initiative

The Advancing Excellence in Long-Term Care Collaborative and Hallmark Business Connections have partnered to create a campaign ultimately designed to help providers increase staff engagement and reduce turnover. Read More »

Post-acute care improvement is goal of Golden Living, naviHealth partnership

Golden Living and naviHealth have partnered in an effort to enhance post-acute care service delivery for people admitted to Golden Living’s skilled nursing facilities around the country. Read More »

PHI releases occupational projections, names policy chief

A new analysis examines job growth potential and pay of home care workers and nursing assistants, and the organization conducting it names a new policy chief to advocate on behalf of these workers. Read More »

‘Site-neutral’ payment proposal pits rehab hospitals against nursing homes

A group representing providers of intensive rehabilitation is calling into question a proposal that potentially would divert patients to nursing homes for such care. Read More »

Searching for after-Thanksgiving deals online

Everyone is looking for a bargain these days. That is especially true for long-term care residents who need to shop smart to get more from their limited funds. Read More »

Largest not-for-profit operators revealed in LeadingAge Ziegler 150

An annual report by LeadingAge and Ziegler has been expanded to include more operators as well as trends in home and community-based services, technology adoption, joint ventures and future growth plans. Read More »

Spending on nursing facility, CCRC care was $155.8 billion in 2013, CMS says

Spending on care in nursing facilities and continuing care retirement communities totaled $155.8 billion in 2013, according to new data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This amount represents growth of 2.4 percent, compared with 2.0 percent in 2012. Read More »

Quality improvement wins providers accolades from AHCA/NCAL

More than 7,400 long-term and post-acute care organizations nationwide have achieved at least one goal in an AHCA/NCAL program. Read More »

Forging long-term care and home health partnerships

Building partnerships with companies offering strategic services can increase your business, improve operations, track data and increase referrals. Read More »

Mechanical lifts can endanger residents

Although mechanical lifts make moving a patient easier for the caregiver, safety can be compromised if the user does not know how to operate the lift properly. Read More »

Payment for care after hip, knee replacement focus of AHCA comments to CMS

The American Health Care Association has suggested to CMS several changes to an outcome and efficiency measure that would affect payments to skilled nursing facilities for the care of those who have undergone total hip or knee arthroplasty. Read More »

Let’s make a deal

Pssst! Want a plant? Have I got a deal for you! Residents can drive a hard bargain when they are out looking for the perfect deal even when it’s not Cyber Monday. Read More »

Winter depression in the elderly can be SAD

In long-term care, residents can experience symptoms of seasonal depression, which might go unrecognized unless caregivers and families keep a watchful eye. Read More »

SNFs, hospice and home health programs prominent in OIG work plan for 2015

The billing, hiring, care-provision and deficiency-correction practices of nursing homes, hospices and home health programs are among the areas to be targeted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General in 2015. Read More »