Wellness

Genesis HealthCare acquires 24 skilled nursing facilities in $240M deal

Genesis signed the $240 million agreement with Revera on June 15. Read More »

CVS acquires Target pharmacies for $1.9B

CVS Health Corp. announced plans Monday to buy the retail chain's pharmacies.  Read More »

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Millions of older adults experience elder abuse each year. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day aims to educate the nation on how to spot elder abuse and prevent it from happening. Read More »

Improve depression symptoms with exercise

The results of 51 different studies don't lie: Exercise improves depression symptoms. Read More »

Studies find correlation between diabetes severity and Parkinson’s

Studies from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania find severe diabetes actually worsens Parkinson's symptoms. Read More »

Groups commit to responsible antibiotic use

More than 150 food companies, retailers, and human and animal health stakeholders have committed to the responsible use of antibiotics in conjunction with the June 2 White House Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship. Read More »

WHO addresses antimicrobial resistance

Delegates at the 68th World Health Assembly endorsed a global action plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance, which they termed the most urgent drug resistance trend. The plan has five objectives. Read More »

Federal agencies should work together to help adults age in place, GAO says

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services should help federal agencies work together to ensure that government resources related to home- and community-based services are used effectively and efficiently, the Government Accountability Office recommends. Read More »

One-on-one with…Paul Nussbaum, PhD

Brookdale Senior Living recently named Paul Nussbaum, PhD, its national director for brain health. Long-Term Living spoke with the board-certified psychologist to find out more about what he’s doing for the company, which has nearly 1,150 senior living communities in 46 states and calls itself the country’s largest provider of Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Read More »

National plan attacks antibiotic-resistant infections

Healthcare providers and federal health agencies need to coordinate their strategic efforts to curb the spread of drug-resistant germs, notes a White House action plan. Read More »

Staff key to spotting, addressing resident depression

Caregivers play a vital role in identifying depression and ensuring that residents’ mental healthcare needs are attended to. Experts share signs to watch for and steps to take to help those in your care. Read More »

Fracture recovery research receives funding

Research to improve older adults’ recovery from low-impact fractures and hip fractures has received funding from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Board of Governors. Read More »

Cognitive health subject of new IOM report

Healthcare professionals must be prepared to provide guidance to older adults and their families as the population ages, according to a new report from the Institute of Medicine. Read More »

Healthy aging is topic of first White House Conference on Aging policy brief

Healthy aging is the topic of the first policy brief released by the White House Conference on Aging. Additional briefs, on the other key topics being examined by the conference are expected in the future. Read More »

Infection control is focus of workshops

The Advancing Excellence in Long-Term Care Collaborative will present the two-hour workshop “Disrupt Infections: Creating a Community of Prevention” in 29 cities as part of the Dr. Bill Thomas’ Age of Disruption Tour. Read More »

Study links lung health, indoor air quality

The quality of indoor air in nursing homes seriously affects the lung health of elderly residents, according to the findings of a recent study. Read More »

Health, housing focus of new task force

Two former senators and two former Housing and Urban Development secretaries are leading a one-year Bipartisan Policy Center effort to address issues at the intersection of senior housing and health. Read More »

CDC, FDA discuss flu vaccine effectiveness, prepare for next year

This year's flu vaccine has had an overall effectiveness of 19 percent, according to the CDC. With an eye toward next year, the FDA has recommended a trivalent vaccine that includes two strains that were not part of this year's vaccine. Read More »

Health system expands integrative medicine to long-term care

A Philadelphia area health system is expanding its integrative medicine program beyond hospital patients to include those in long-term care, outpatient care and home care, as well as caregivers. Read More »

Medicare plan launches addiction services for seniors

Independence at Home, operated by SCAN Health Plan, has added a new program for older adults that provides screening, assessment, counseling, brief therapy and action planning for individuals who may be misusing alcohol, drugs or prescription medication. Read More »

Survey: Seniors want to access their healthcare online

A growing number of tech-savvy seniors want to access healthcare services from home, but most of them don’t think that today’s technology is sufficient enough to do so, according to a new survey from the New York-based research firm Accenture. Read More »

GAO: Expand cuts in antipsychotic drug use

Assisted living communities and home health agencies will be some of the next frontiers for the federal government’s efforts to reduce the use of antipsychotic medications in those with dementia, following a recommendation from the Government Accountability Office. Read More »

Flu antiviral meds still underutilized, CDC says

Influenza antiviral drugs continue to be severely underutilized in some high-risk people, according to a new study by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More »

Annual flu vaccine still needed, CDC advisory panel says

The committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention met Feb. 26 and renewed its recommendation that everyone aged six or more months continue to be vaccinated against influenza annually. Read More »

We have the flu beat

Long-Term Living and I have been named 2014–2015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Flu Vaccination Digital Ambassadors, a formal acknowledgement of the efforts we have made and are making to keep you informed of best practices and trends related to the flu. Read More »

The best and worst states for well-being

New research reveals the top and bottom states for well-being in 2014. Where does your state rank? Read More »

Report suggests ways to increase cognitive assessments during Medicare annual wellness visits

The odds of your residents undergoing a cognitive assessment as part of a Medicare annual wellness visit may increase given a new report from a Gerontological Society of America workgroup. Read More »

CMS now covers lung cancer screening for Medicare beneficiaries

Effective immediately, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will cover lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography for Medicare beneficiaries—with certain conditions. Read More »

Hospitalization of seniors with flu hits record rate

Flu-related hospitalization rates for those aged 65 or more years have hit an all-time high, but the CDC has advice to prevent or lessen the effects of the virus. Read More »

2016 federal budget aligns with goals of White House Conference on Aging, Super says

The focus areas of the 2015 White House Conference on Aging mesh well with the goals of the 2016 federal budget proposed Feb. 2 by President Barack Obama, the conference’s executive director says. Read More »