Medicare/Medicaid

SDOH Items on the MDS: Be Proactive to Avoid Staff—and Resident—Negativity

The new social determinants of health (SDOH) items that are being added to the MDS effective Oct. 1, 2023, can be shocking to nurse asses... Read More »

Key Findings from the Marcum 3-Year Nursing Home Statistical Analysis

Marcum LLP has released its fifth annual 3-Year Nursing Home Statistical Review. Covering 2019 through 2021, the analysis examined the ef... Read More »

AHCA State of the Nursing Home Sector Fact Sheet Reveals Key Industry Findings

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), collectively representing more than 14,000 nurs... Read More »

New Report Identifies Key Lessons for Nursing Homes From the Pandemic

In late January, the Office of Inspector General (OIG), in the Department of Health and Human Services, released the second report in a s... Read More »

Strategies to Support the Families of Memory Care Residents

Placing a family member in a memory care facility can be a difficult and emotional decision. Memory care facilities play an important rol... Read More »

Best Practices to Improve the Hiring Process and Attract the Best Candidates

In July, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance about the nursing home five-star rating system. That gu... Read More »

Strategies to Combat Ageism in Senior Care Settings

Ageism encompasses stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination toward others and ourselves that is based on age. Read More »

Actionable Steps to Improve Nursing Home Operations and Patient Outcomes

A new report on the quality of care in nursing homes details seven overarching conclusions. Read More »

View From the Trenches: Interview with Dr. Leslie Eber

Leslie Beth Eber, MD, CMD, is the medical director of the Orchard Park Health Care Center in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Read More »

Ways Senior Care Communities Can Improve Medication Management

Medication management is now more challenging than ever given current staff shortages and heightened workloads. Read More »

CMS Targets Vaccines and Work Restrictions as Staff COVID-19 Infections Skyrocket

In conjunction with community spread over the past few weeks, the number of nursing homes with new COVID-19 infections has increased. Read More »

Challenges Facing Senior Care in 2022

We reached out to experts in the senior care field to learn their predictions about the coming year. Read More »

COVID-19 Testing in Nursing Homes: Are You Doing All Four Kinds?

Testing is one of the key tools that nursing homes and other postacute care providers have to prevent and contain COVID outbreaks. Read More »

Early Illness Detection in Residents Saves Missouri Nursing Homes and Payers $32 Million

Early illness detection has long been recognized for its importance in improving nursing home resident recovery and health outcomes. It's also a money-saver. Read More »

Biden Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Nursing Home Staff

Nursing homes must require that staff are vaccinated in order to continue receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding. Read More »

Long-Term Care Demand Surge: Partnerships Can Help Facilities Prepare

The long-term care industry is facing increased demand that will more than triple in the coming three decades. Read More »

COVID-19 Trends in Nursing Homes Make CMS “Very Concerned”

A surge of COVID-19 cases among nursing home residents and staff combined with stagnant vaccination rates for staff is a warning sign. Read More »

Quality Skilled Nursing Notes in SNFs Require Management

The new focus on nursing documentation is consistent with the fact that many SNFs no longer provide straight therapy to Part A residents. Read More »

View From the Trenches: Interview with Dr. Zachary Palace, MD, CMD

Dr. Zachary Palace, MD, CMD is the Medical Director of the Hebrew Home of Riverdale, which has cared for residents for more than 100 years. Read More »

Reforming the Survey Process: An Interview with Alan C. Horowitz

Many within the long-term care sector feel the Medicare/Medicaid survey system is in need of reform. Read More »

New Evidence on the MMR Vaccine’s Effectiveness Against COVID-19

We’re pleased to share new evidence of the MMR vaccine’s effectiveness against COVID-19. Read More »

Safely Welcoming Visitors to Senior Care Facilities

Allowing visitors back is full of new challenges. Here are some strategies to keep in mind. Read More »

Significant Provider Victory in Major COVID-19 Case

Life Care Center of Kirkland has achieved a significant legal victory relating to its much-maligned handling of an early COVID-19 outbreak. Read More »

View From the Trenches: Interview with Dr. Arif Nazir

Dr. Nazir talks about COVID testing, therapeutics, and keeping spirits high during this challenging time. Read More »

View From the Trenches: Interview with Dr. Karl Steinberg, President-Elect of AMDA

Dr. Steinberg champions the care provided by nursing homes and the value of perspective and kindness. Read More »

Are More Civil Money Penalties the Answer?

CMS has announced that it has imposed more than $15 million in civil money penalties (CMPs) on more than 3,400 nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Is this effective? Read More »

Federal Strategies and Procedures Designed to Protect Seniors

President Trump recently released a statement detailing how his administration is supporting America’s seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More »

Senior Care Coronavirus News Roundup for Tuesday, 5/5

IASC's periodic roundup of coronavirus-related news of interest to senior care leaders. Read More »

President Trump Announces New Pandemic-Related Measures To Protect Seniors

In a statement issued April 30th, President Trump reiterated his support for the nation's seniors and announced new COVID-related protection measures. Read More »

QAPI Can Engage Staff and Improve Your LTC Facility

A key component of active implementation of the final rule is for all staff to be trained and participating in Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities — a paradigm shift for some nursing homes. Read More »