Month: February 2015

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 »

Alarms: A safety must or maybe?

A skilled nursing facility in a New York hospital has removed bed/chair fall alarm systems to becoming an alarm-free care setting in an innovative program to improve residents' quality of care and quality of life. Read More »

Don’t get caught in the OTC medication maze

Supplements and “natural” products are flying off the shelves of America’s drug and health stores. Are they hype or health? Read More »

4 steps to protect residents from financial fraud

The federal government has produced a free guide to help senior living operators and staff members combat the financial exploitation of residents, which has implications beyond those you might expect. Read More »

Non-stick material helps fight infections

A new non-stick material helps keep bacteria from growing. Read More »

First federal rule issued for ombudsman programs

The Administration for Community Living of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has published the first federal regulations for the long-term care ombudsman programs in the Federal Register in an effort to improve consistency among state programs. Read More »

White House Conference on Aging announces Tampa event details

Didn't receive an invitation to Thursday's White House Conference on Aging event in Tampa? You can watch online. Read More »

Keeping an eye on provider interactions

New system monitors healthcare providers' activities during face-to-face encounters.  Read More »

Why ‘Still Alice’ is a valentine to caregivers

You’ll nod in recognition during many scenes in “Still Alice.” The film helps elucidate Alzheimer’s disease for those unfamiliar with it, and it has the potential for longer-term benefits, too. Read More »

OIG study: CMS, keep an eye on hospices in assisted living

In its hospice payment reform efforts, CMS is keeping a close eye on hospice care in assisted living. Read More »

Electronic solution improves care decisions

An electronic, interactive tool can improve decisions on care, a study shows.  Read More »

Interoperability takes center stage in Washington

This month’s annual meeting of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology featured a keynote by HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell announcing the agency’s plan to increase the adoption of health IT. Read More »

Working at moving out, Part 2

Mindy and CG are planning carefully for reentering the community at large. Kathleen Mears updates readers on the couple's progress. Read More »

‘Fix the SGR 2.0’ heading your way

Can Congress and President Obama agree on a way to move forward before the latest ‘doc fix’ expires on March 31? Read More »

Value of health IT goes beyond cost, tech aspects

Making health information technology more relevant depends on accessing value, a study says.  Read More »

Walk Before You Run: The Blueprint and Top Considerations for EHR Adoption (Part 1)

When we think back to what the long-term care industry was like 10 years ago, technological innovation tends not to be top of mind. And yet, suddenly we’re surrounded by it. Adopting new technology, like any new idea, can be hard. The challenge for providers will not just be rolling it out, but also harnessing the power to do what you need to do. In this first article of a three-part series, we’ll look at factors in long-term care that have prompted our use of technology, specifically Electronic Health Records (EHRs), and begin to consider where we are headed as the technology we use continues to evolve.Click here to read more. Read More »

Partnership offers new tracking systems for dementia wandering

Partnering companies are developing a smart solution to track those with cognitive disorders.  Read More »

3 changes coming to Nursing Home Compare

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will make three main changes to the calculations used for the Nursing Home Compare website beginning with the information publicly reported for February, the agency announced in a Feb. 12 call to providers. Read More »

PointClickCare staffers earn assisted living admin certification

A group of PCC employees has earned the Certification for Assisted Living Administrators (CEAL) designation. Read More »

Congressmen introduce observation stay legislation

Two congressmen have reintroduced an act that would require hospitals to notify a patient within a certain period of time after classifying him or her as an inpatient or as an outpatient under observation. Read More »

Credentialing, standards, public policy on assisted living agenda

Credentialing, standards and public policy in the senior living industry were on the agenda when the Assisted Living Federation of America hosted 35 of its state partners this week. Read More »

Bill would improve payment transparency, pharmacy group says

The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition says the MAC Transparency Act, if passed, would improve payment transparency within the Medicare prescription drug program. Read More »

New CPR requirements issued for nursing homes

Having a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) policy for a nursing home is one thing, but having CPR-certified staff on hand is another. Read More »

More than $220 billion in savings predicted with Alzheimer’s advances

The United States could save $220 billion within the first five years of a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease being introduced, as well as reduce the number of people affected by the disease by 2.5 million, according to a new report. Read More »

PACE could expand to serve younger people

President Barack Obama’s proposed 2016 budget includes a provision that would expand the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly to serve younger individuals with disabilities, and one organization is applauding the move. Read More »

AMA partnership aims at developing new technologies

A new American Medical Association partnership will focus on creating and testing new healthcare technologies.  Read More »

A growing market: Affordable senior housing

When care and assistance is needed, where can low-income seniors go to have the services they need delivered in a safe, secure and affordable environment? Read More »

New skin adhesive expands options for wound care, wearables

A new soft-silicone skin adhesive will add options for applying wound dressings and wearable sensors.  Read More »

Dissolving ‘contact lens’ delivers drugs to eye

A drug-releasing, dissolving disk may spell the end to the eye dropper.  Read More »

Connected Living acquires Tethered, expands mHealth

Connected Living's acquisition of Tethered will expand delivery of mobile technology to seniors.  Read More »