Mal Mixon has grown Invacare Corp. from a domestic manufacturing/distribution company into a global leader of home and long-term care medical products. Read More »
Emergency planning and preparation are keys to surviving a natural disaster; the recent six- to 10-foot snowfall in upstate New York serves as a punishing reminder. Read More »
Trash receptacles behind nursing homes and other care facilities are becoming a goldmine for drug addicts in search of controlled medications. Read More »
A survey of older adults in 11 countries turns up interesting data on how efficiently people in industrialized nations can access and interact with their healthcare providers. Read More »
Keeping the bedsores at bay is about much more than body-turning protocols. Helping residents and their families understand the importance of skin health can make fighting unnecessary skin breakdown a group effort. Read More »
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will consider an Elder Law Task Force report as a guide to protect the state's older adults from abuse and neglect. Read More »
Residents need to have a change of scene occasionally. Check to see that there is room to include another passenger. A few questions and a little legwork can avoid a resident letdown. Read More »
A small, pocket-sized document can help curb antibiotic drug resistance and improve the treatment and outcomes of the frail and elderly in skilled nursing facilities, according to a recent study. Read More »
Treating a cold is not as simple as taking the latest advertised remedy off the shelf. If you live or work in a long-term care setting, let staff and residents know that choosing a cold reliever takes serious thought. Read More »
Residents can empathize with fellow residents' challenges even as they strive to cope with and overcome their own physical, emotional and/or behavioral challenges. Read More »
A new survey reveals strengths and weaknesses in nursing home safety culture as well as how factors such as size, ownership and location, as well as staff position and shift, can affect perceptions of safety—and your bottom line. Read More »
Take time this month to honor the hospice and home care workers who provide valuable service and commitment to the people they serve with skill and compassion. Read More »
The holidays are coming up quickly. Now is the time to start to think about gifts for residents or a resident project to help less fortunate older people in the community. For more than a decade, one organization has helped to keep seniors' feet warm and dry throughout the winter. Read More »
CMS recently updated the change of therapy requirements found in the RAI User’s Manual. Understanding the changes can ensure correct reimbursement and avoid miscalculations. Read More »
The federal government has reached a settlement about one woman's Medicare claims for nursing and therapy services, but it remains to be seen how far its effects will reach. Read More »
Surveillance cameras don’t always provide the proof a resident’s family was expecting—sometimes it is worse. Kathleen Mears offers a resident's view on this monitoring technology. Read More »
While it’s challenging to maintain a completely pest-free facility, vigilance and professional attention are necessary to prevent infestations and provide a safe and healthy environment for residents and staff. Read More »
Preserving continence is important to a resident’s dignity and self-esteem. Unfortunately, some residents have to rely on others to assist them and the timing might not always be convenient. Read More »
The media storm over the Ebola threat is creating fear and suspicion throughout the country. Being aware of the threat is smart, but being obsessed with the remote possibility of infection can be distracting. Read More »
For many people, autumn is their favorite time of year. The air is crisp, the foliage is brilliant and warm days still pop up occasionally, drawing residents outdoors. It is also the season when pollens, molds and other allergens contaminate the air and trigger allergic reactions. Read More »
A new study in JAMA examined whether a skilled nursing facility’s performance on quality measures is a reliable indicator of the likelihood that those it treats will or will not be rehospitalized or die within 30 days of being discharged from the hospital. Read More »
Various conditions, including age, can affect how the body reacts to a psychotropic drug, such as Valium, as Kathleen Mears found out after decades of use. Read More »
”Stronger job growth, growing consumer confidence and the broad recovery in the stock market are contributing to the gains seen in occupancy and rent growth in seniors housing in the third quarter," according to the latest NIC MAP data. Read More »
Gastrostomy tubes and other enteral devices are not advised for use in end-of-life or advance dementia situations because risks might outweigh the benefits, according to new report. Read More »
A new report highlights the importance of evaluating the quality of long-term services and supports in independent and assisted living, skilled nursing, home health and hospice environments. Read More »
Facility transfers can be traumatic for a resident, especially if he or she is not included in the process. It can be upsetting to have to acclimate to an entirely new environment full of strangers and leave familiarity behind. Read More »
The increasing use of electrical equipment in areas where patients/residents receive treatment has increased the need for more electrical outlets to accommodate the appliances/devices. Read More »
The 24th National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry (NIC) National Conference kicks off this week, and NIC shares a sneak-peek Q&A held with opening keynote speaker Thomas H. Lee, MD, chief medical officer at healthcare performance improvement firm Press Ganey Associates. Read More »
