We’re still enjoying the vestiges of summer, but it’s never too early to begin educating elderly residents about influenza risks and the importance of vaccinations. Read More »
People with Parkinson’s have to take pills many times a day to control their symptoms. A new medication technique developed at the Cleveland Clinic uses a gell-based medication to curb the “fall off” effects that pills often have. Read More »
Ohio is the latest state to launch a pay-for-quality program for skilled nursing reimbursement. But with 10 percent of reimbursement riding on passing the quality program, is the test tough enough? Read More »
One more reason to consider shedding those extra pounds: A neurology study suggests that obesity can contribute to reduced cognition in later life. Read More »
Residents often enter long-term care with surprisingly little knowledge about their conditions, whether they have a recent diagnosis or have been living with an illness for many years. Here are five reasons why we should teach our residents about the illnesses they live with. Read More »
Kindred Healthcare invests deeply in the heart of Texas, announcing its agreement to purchase IntergraCare's Texas-based home care and hospice operations. Read More »
As Medicare and Medicaid programs grow, the insurance market is spending billions to get a larger slice of the government-backed healthcare markets. Read More »
Don’t know what data analytics is yet? More hospitals are realizing the potential of data analytics to improve quality and business operations, and the transitions of care initiatives might bring LTC into the analytics mix sooner than you think. Read More »
I have always had very good teeth and few cavities. But my dentist warned when I moved to a nursing home I would have to be strident about my dental care or my teeth could rot out of my head. Read More »
Should unused drugs be flushed? Tossed in the trash? The nation’s top hospice organizations partner to create better training on the safe disposal of unused medication. Read More »
The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL)awards are here: This year 458 skilled nursing and assisted living facilities were recognized, but only two took home the gold. Read More »
The Center for Medicare & Medicaid's requested extension for the ICD-10 transition hasn’t been made official yet, but providers shouldn’t waste any time continuing their planning. Read More »
As reimbursement becomes increasingly tied to clinical quality and performance, Ohio joins the list of states that are trying a bigger carrot instead of the stick. Read More »
Better interviewing leads to better short-lists, and ultimately to better new employees. Rebecca McNeil, educational content manager at HealthcareSource, a provider of healthcare HR software, shares some strategies for finding new employees that truly match the culture and quality of your facility. Read More »
The billing differences between inpatient and observation hospitalizations are causing plenty of headaches, but the American Health Care Association believes CMS’ new pilot program is a step in the right direction. Read More »
No one ever said being a long-term caregiver is easy. At times, it’s downright olympic. Going for the gold takes teamwork, dedication and … well, a sense of humor. Read More »
After eating in nursing homes for 16 years I know the menus by heart. At this facility the menus do not change much from winter to summer. Lighter foods would be nice in the summertime. A few months ago, while recovering at a major university hospital, I had different, healthier food. Read More »
A growing number of seniors who have observational hospital stays are getting stuck with the bill for their SNF care. CMS is launching a new pilot to try to iron out the wrinkles in the claims system. Read More »
A new statistical study shows that seniors may need more help when it comes to ditching unhealthy habits, especially after being diagnosed with a chronic disease. Read More »
Pennsylvania's Keystone Beacon community helped develop a software program that can sort through MDS 3.0 and prepare resident care records for electronic submission Read More »
Seniors in seven states soon will need prior authorization for powerchairs under Medicare. The homecare industry voices its disappointment in the lack of physician documentation standards for authorization. Read More »
Bed bugs have made a comeback. The public recently learned that these critters were checking into hotels and motels. It's not just a regional problem any more. Bed bugs have reportedly been spotted in long-term care facilities too. The good news is that there are ways to turn away these unwanted guests. Read More »
In this week's blog, John Derr, RPh, discusses the importance of harmony between clinical design and information technology. Successful implementation of transitions of care and longitudinal health records will require bringing both the clinical side and the technology side into the future together. Read More »
In California, the aging prison population will soon be cared for in a newly constructed care-based facility in a security-conscious environment. However, design elements will improve quality of life. Read More »
The antidepressant I take presently I have taken since 2009. During that time I have noticed behavioral changes. I told the nurses I wanted to get off the antidepressant. I said I hoped the psychiatrist would assist with a withdrawal plan. Read More »
A massive study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows significantly higher risks of heart attacks during the two to six weeks following total joint replacement surgeries. Read More »
