Skilled Nursing

Wi-Fi woes

As residents become more tech-savvy, facilities need to keep up with the demand for Internet or Wi-Fi connection. Read More »

Website contains best practices for caring for older adults with HIV

The American Geriatrics Society, the American Academy of HIV Medicine and ACRIA are collaborating in a new educational effort that expands on previous work. Read More »

Long-term care well represented on top jobs list

Several types of nursing and therapy positions top one list of hot jobs for 2014. Read More »

Brookdale, Emeritus to merge in $2.8 billion deal

Once the merger of Brookdale Senior Living Inc. and Emeritus Corp. is complete in the third quarter of this year, the company will have communities in 330 markets, near 80 percent of the U.S. population. Read More »

How to reduce variations in post-acute care

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is eyeing variations in treatments for those in post-acute care settings with similar medical conditions in an effort to mitigate negative clinical and financial effects. The scrutiny is call to action for LT/PAC operators. Read More »

CMS puts recovery audit program on temporary hold

The backlog of cases appealing audit decisions and payment denials has cause CMS to make a radical move: Hit the pause button on the audit program until contractors can catch up. Read More »

Omnicare’s stock stumbles over 2013 finances

One of long-term care’s largest pharmacy services providers sees unexpectedly low financial numbers in 4Q 2013, but hopes specialty services will boost its numbers in 2014. Read More »

5 strategies to position your facility as a care leader

Relationships with external decision-makers, such as physicians and hospital CEOs and directors, are key to your being able to serve their post-acute and long-term care needs and are vital to maintaining a consistently strong skilled resident census at your facility. Here are five keys to strengthening those ties. Read More »

Rural health initiative taking shape

CMS is giving some states the opportunity to expand healthcare options in rural areas.  Read More »

New telemonitoring system for the home unveiled

A new telemonitoring system aims to avoid problems after hospital discharge by providing better clinical oversight at home. Read More »

National trial to study the link between insulin and memory

Can an insulin nasal spray alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer's or other minor cognitive disorders? A national trial study is recruiting patients with Alzheimer's to find out. Read More »

One MDS assessment may take a NAC more than five hours to complete: study

Where does the time go in a NAC’s day? Results from an American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordination study answer that question. Read More »

Challenging surveys

Deficiencies and enforcement actions don't always have to be accepted without a challenge. Long-Term Living's legal expert, Alan Horowitz, explains the steps to appealing state survey deficiency reports. Read More »

Contact lens could someday monitor blood sugar

This computerized contact lens is designed to measure blood sugar levels in tears. Read More »

Post-acute orgs fear financial decline/buyouts due to technology gaps

Long-term and post-acute providers who fail to adopt information technology may find themselves at a distinct disadvantage—or owned by someone else—down the road, one survey report suggests. Read More »

Congress continues to wrangle with Medicare, Medicaid issues

Medicare physicians will automatically see a 24 percent reduction in pay if Congress does not act by March 31. Read More »

Turning a bad day around

Sometimes it just takes a friendly little push to help someone make a positive decision that improves his or her day.  Read More »

Study finds strong link between restless sleep and widespread pain in older adults

A new study shows that restless sleep is a strong predictor of widespread pain onset among adults aged more than 50 years. Increasing age, however, is associated with a decreased likelihood of the development of widespread pain. Read More »

Legal logjam in Medicare appeals process

The Medicare appeals process allows providers to challenge payment denials—once you can get a hearing date. Read More »

Infection prevention goal of new CDC website

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched a new website designed to help prevent infections in long-term care facilities. Read More »

Telehealth reimbursement reform gets major support

Three former senators and some major companies join forces in support of telehealth reimbursement reform.  Read More »

Preparing for ‘active shooter’ events: Lockdowns

Does your facility have policies and procedures to handle the potential presence of armed intruders? Unfortunately, the scenario is not as unlikely as you might suspect. Lockdowns are one part of any good response. Part 1 in our series. Read More »

Nursing study: Many hospitals are ‘lax’ in infection control protocols

A Columbia University nursing research study shows serious gaps in how infection-control protocols are followed in hospital ICUs, which could leave nursing home partners at risk. Read More »

Dementia training provider adds ADL module

A national dementia education provider launches a 10-part training series for caregivers on approaching the activities of daily living. Read More »

Is it rejection of care or resident choice?

Clearing the blurred lines between choice and rejection of care ensures correct coding of the Minimum Data Set. Read More »

Study examines new payment model for dementia care

A new study seeks to show the value of home- and community-based care for those with memory disorders, in hopes that more insurers might cover the cost of such programs, leading people away from nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Read More »

12 steps to QAPI: Step 2: Teamwork

In Step 2 of our series on achieving Quality Assurance Performance Improvement, Nell Griffin, LPN, EdM, explains the importance of team building and teamwork. Read More »

Staff turnover impacts quality: studies

Consistent care from a stable nursing home staff improves the odds against adverse events, according to two recent studies. Read More »

Ordering out

Even long-term care residents enjoy treating themselves to their favorite pizza, chicken, Chinese food or what have you. In congregate living, however, it can pose a problem. Read More »

Effects of Quebec fire extend south and across an ocean

In the wake of a Quebec senior home fire, Tennessee officials give thanks for their sprinklers and U.K. fire safety experts call for more protections for the elderly in housing facilities there. Read More »