Month: October 2013

Cloud-based system helps manage medication delivery

Partnering companies launch "digital pillbox" medication management program for both patients and caregivers. Read More »

Legionnaires’ takes a toll at two senior care sites

A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in an Alabama nursing home leaves one person dead and a dozen others ill, while earlier this fall the same bacterium killed five and sickened nearly 40 in an Ohio retirement community. Read More »

Alzheimer’s, caregivers highlighted in November observances

November observances put Alzheimer's disease and family caregivers in the spotlight. Read More »

Celebrating the angels of end-of-life care

Hospice takes the stage in November to educate the public on the services and supports available to help a loved one and family members make the transition together. Read More »

National survey reveals gaps in opioid PCA pump practices

The first national survey of patient-controlled pain medication pumps has revealed red flags in how patient vitals are monitored and how risk factors are calculated. Read More »

National pharmacy reaches milestone

A year-old pharmacy provider's onsite dispensing system gains a national footprint of over 100 post-acute care facilities.  Read More »

Partnership aims at reducing pressure ulcers, falls

New technology to reduce falls gathers data from under-mattress sensors and transmits them to a computer or mobile device. Read More »

Medication prescribing reflects regional variations, study finds

Study investigates the geographical differences and patterns in drug prescribing and drug therapies for Medicare patients and the potential risks involved. Read More »

Mobile phone app protects home healthcare providers, patients

A new mobile phone application can alert remote home healthcare staff of emergencies with the touch of a button. Read More »

Bundling without bungling

Bundling payments is becoming a reality for many long-term and post-acute care communities, but do you know where to start? Read More »

10 cited for innovation, excellence at annual meeting

Live from LeadingAge: 10 individuals or organizations received awards at the annual meeting. Read More »

Front Porch executives enrolled in innovative training program

Front Porch becomes first non-profit to embrace Innovator's Accelerator program for leadership training.  Read More »

CMS memo addresses ‘no CPR’ policies in nursing homes

In March 2013, an elderly woman who died after not receiving CPR in her retirement community became national news and a focus of public outrage. CMS memo updates state surveyors on CPR policy in nursing homes. Read More »

Laundry bleach: Friend or foe?

Facility laundry operations do an admirable job on maintaining linens and clothing. However, the laundry room can be a minefield of potential problems when caring for residents’ personal wardrobes, as Kathleen Mears has experienced. Read More »

Tech tool enables remote activity participation

Live from LeadingAge: Technology that would allow seniors to participate in senior living community activities remotely has won the inaugural HackFest. Read More »

Needed trauma care often eludes elderly: study

A new study about the way injured older adults are treated has implications for long-term care. Read More »

Leading EHR to integrate wound management solution

MatrixCare and WoundRounds team up to provide integrated, cloud-based wound-care solution  Read More »

Study of America’s ‘oldest old’ will continue data-gathering

An ongoing study focusing exclusively on the lifestyles and health issues of people in their ninth decade assembles data and information to accommodate this growing demographic. Read More »

LTC settings would feel the most pain if FDA hydrocodone proposal is approved, pharmacists say

A new FDA proposal to limit access to certain painkillers would hit nursing homes and similar facilities the hardest, one organization maintains. Read More »

Connected community

Instead of building “tiny towns” within senior residence communities, some housing models are incorporating the CCRC into the town instead. Read More »

Sensors, other steps could improve resident sleep

Technology is just one of many ways to help residents get enough sleep, according to recent research, which suggests ways to address staffing level and shift pattern issues that can lead to sleep problems. Read More »

Omnicare settles $120M kickback suit

Long-term care pharmacy giant Omnicare has agreed to pay $120 million to end a lawsuit alleging kickbacks for skilled nursing medications. Read More »

Haunted all year

A recent experience reminded me of the haunted houses I attended in my high school days. The occasion was not as fun but was just as frightening, especially considering that 36 million people around the world have similar sensations daily. The memories will stay with me for a long time. Read More »

Assisted living inventory growth still not widespread

Second quarter 2013 data finds that while construction of assisted living communities has grown, most of the activity is concentrated in a small number of metropolitan markets. Read More »

LTC financing is focus of November observance

One organization is using an annual observance to remind the public about the importance of planning for long-term care. Read More »

Public weighs in on federal health agencies

A new survey gauges public perception of several national government agencies and departments. See where your opinion fits in. Read More »

Proactive healthcare approach reduces senior calls to EMS

A senior housing complex with a reputation for frequent calls to local paramedics saw a one-third decrease in the calls after implementing a new program. Read More »

APIC kicks off ‘Infection Prevention and You’ campaign

Infection prevention is everyone’s job—residents, families, healthcare professionals. A new campaign offers important information on patient safety and infection prevention. Read More »

Alzheimer’s disease and sleep may be linked, says JAMA Neuro study

Shorter sleep duration and poor-quality sleep are associated with abnormal brain imaging findings suggesting Alzheimer's disease in older adults, a new study finds. Read More »

Is a wound-free facility possible?

Not all wounds are preventable, but a trained staff and the use of current protocols go a long way to advancing the goal of establishing a wound-free culture and an improved quality of life for residents. Read More »