Month: May 2015

Residents face off in chocolate-themed competition

Residents and chefs faced off against one another in an “Iron Chef-style” challenge May 19. Each team had 60 minutes to prepare for judges an appetizer, main entrée and dessert containing a secret ingredient. Read More »

Interoperability a must for healthcare: Analysis

Interoperability and connectivity are needed to transform healthcare, according to a new analysis. Read More »

Long-Term Living named finalist for 4 ASBPE awards

Long-Term Living is chasing the prizes, with four entries earning finalist status in the American Society of Business Publication Editors competition for editorial and design efforts. Read More »

Prudential acquires assisted living, memory care portfolio in $110M transaction

Prudential Real Estate Investors has acquired three assisted living and memory care communities in Tennessee and Connecticut for $110 million. It’s the first investment made through its Senior Housing Partners V fund, according to the company. Read More »

How to prevent MRSA transmission between nursing home residents, workers

New research reveals the most important times that nursing home workers should wear gloves and gowns to prevent the transmission of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from one resident to another. Read More »

White House Conference on Aging announces date for national event

July 13 will be the date for the White House Conference on Aging national event, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced today. Read More »

Partnerships@Work: Airing out infection control

In our latest Partnerships@Work installment, a Connecticut long-term care community teams up with an infection control company to reduce the site’s “closed days” and curb the spread of airborne infection risks. Read More »

Organizations respond to proposed Medicaid changes

Leaders from organizations representing providers of housing, care and services for older adults say they continue to scrutinize the 653-page proposal of reforms to Medicaid managed care plans that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued May 26, but they shared their initial reactions with Long-Term Living. Read More »

Seniors hit the ‘Trail’

If mobility is an issue that stops an older person from connecting with nature, then a Missouri community shows how teamwork opens doors—and trails—for seniors. Read More »

Florida launches expedited licensure initiative for assisted living

The Florida chapter of the Assisted Living Federation of America has partnered with the state's Agency for Health Care Administration to streamline the initial licensure process for assisted living communities in the state. Read More »

Congrats to our Reader Survey gift card winner

One lucky reader was chosen in our Reader Survey random drawing for a $100 gift card. Read More »

Dementia screening by phone

A new study shows that most older adults support telephone screening for dementia. Read More »

CDC campaign promotes safe injection practices

​A federation representing providers of housing, services and care for seniors has joined a nationwide effort to stop the reuse of needles, syringes and single-dose medication vials in healthcare settings. Read More »

Partnership aims to train CNAs in dementia care

The National Certification Board for Alzheimer Care and the National Association of Health Care Assistants have partnered in an effort to ensure that certified nursing assistants have the training necessary to care for those with dementia. Read More »

LeadingAge updates IT planning workbook

LeadingAge adds new features to its strategic information technology planning workbook for long-term/post-acute care providers. Read More »

Phoebe Services Pharmacy earns IMM certification

Phoebe Services Pharmacy earns integrated medication management certification from PointClickCare. Read More »

CMS proposes changes to Medicaid managed care regulations

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing several changes to its Medicaid managed care regulations to modernize them and improve quality in the delivery of care to beneficiaries. Read More »

Getting Ready for the New MDS Focused Survey

In preparation for the shift to value-based reimbursement, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has indicated that the new Minimum Data Set (MDS) Focused Survey will be expanding nationwide this year in effort to incent providers to focus more on individualized care planning and person-centered care.Read on to learn what areas will be under the most scrutiny in the new survey process, what you can do to prepare, and some target areas for deficiencies.Click here to read more Read More »

Nursing home false claims allegations settled with $3.8M payment

Two California nursing homes persistently overmedicated residents, causing infection, sepsis, malnutrition, dehydration, falls, fractures, pressure ulcers and, for some residents, premature death, the federal government maintains. Read More »

A deadly fire sweeps through nursing home in Central China

The importance of complying with fire suppression regulations in U.S. nursing home facilities is underscored by a recent report of a Chinese nursing home destroyed by an undetermined blaze. 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 »

Study shows potential of electronic wound healing technology

A new study shows that electronic stimulation accelerates wound healing. Read More »

Dissatisfaction with healthcare billing is growing: Study

A study by PwC shows growing dissatisfaction with healthcare billing and payment systems. Read More »

Guests at mealtime

Every facility dining room has its own culture. The atmosphere may be casual or formal.  When it is disrupted by surprise visitors, however, residents and staff may need to adapt. Read More »

Robotic walker gives seniors more independence

A robotic walker can help seniors navigate their residences or public places. Read More »

Antibiotic arsenal needs new drugs, more education

Antibiotic resistance is still outpacing researchers’ ability to develop new types of antibiotics, and too many physicians still overprescribe, according to a policy brief released this week by the Health Affairs journal. Read More »

ONC funds startups for senior mHealth

Six startup companies focused on digital health and care coordination get new funding from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Read More »

Continuous vitals monitoring reduces readmissions: Study

The use of a continuous vitals monitoring system can reduce hospital readmissions, according to a recent study. Read More »

MedPAC gets new chair, member

The body that advises Congress on Medicare-related payments to health plans and providers welcomes a new member, a new chair and five reappointed members. Read More »

FDA guidance could undermine safety, compliance efforts, pharmacy group maintains

Repackaging and distribution guidance proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration inadvertently would undermine patient/resident safety in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and also would threaten regulatory compliance, the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition said in a letter to the agency. Read More »