Month: July 2016

Medical marijuana: Hashing out the legal issues

Many states have legalized medical marijuana, but when it comes to Medicare participants, it’s federal law that matters. Read More »

The 10 best U.S. cities for seniors

SeniorAdvice.com, a free senior living search engine that helps seniors finding housing options, created an algorithm to rank the best large cities for seniors.  Read More »

AHCA/NCAL names Vincent Mor, PhD, Champion of Quality

The annual award honors significant contributions to quality improvement in long-term and post-acute care. Read More »

Van Dyk Health Care expands primary care services

The New Jersey-based provider hired its first nurse practitioner to help patients stay healthy and in their own home.  Read More »

A birthday celebration

North Carolina’s oldest living resident inspired Long-Term Living’s newest editor to go out and celebrate their shared birthday. Read More »

Brookdale pares down in $253M sale

The senior living giant is selling 44 properties across 12 states, including almost 600 memory care units. Read More »

Not enough adults exercise

Most adults know the benefits of exercise, but only 56 percent engage in some form of physical activity. Still fewer get the recommended amount. Being a couch potato is not only bad for your waistline and heart. It’s bad for the brain, too. Read More »

5 orgs join forces in chronic care delivery

Five foundations are launching a new collaboration to improve care delivery for those with multiple conditions and a lack of self-care resources, including the elderly. Read More »

Dude Solutions launches mobile device management

The new functionality provides a centralized platform to manage security policies for both corporate devices and BYOD. Read More »

Battling hepatitis C in the elderly

As drug manufacturers continue to race for the leg-up in Hepatitis C treatments, providers need to be aware of seniors' special risk factors. Read More »

Opioids and older adults

The biggest opioid abusers in the country aren’t shady drug dealers or troubled teens—they’re Medicare beneficiaries. Read More »

Wrist fractures linked to poor balance, greater fall risk

A wrist fracture may be deemed a harmless injury, but it’s a bellwether for future trouble. Balance training can help decrease risks, a new study says. Read More »

IT service provider agrees to pay $650k for SNF HIPAA breach

The case is the first settlement where the accused HIPAA violator is a third-party business associate, not the nursing home itself. Read More »

A garden grows

When an employee cleared and planted some greenery, blogger Kathleen Mears and her fellow residents started to bloom—a good reminder that growth isn't only for the garden.  Read More »

OSHA penalties to increase Aug. 1

OSHA, which last adjusted its penalties in 1990, plans to adjust the fines for inflation each year from now on, as per Congressional rule. Read More »

DOJ shuts down $1B Miami nursing home fraud scheme

The largest-ever fraud case involved the owner of more than 30 skilled nursing facilities and two others accused of kickbacks and false billing, the Department of Justice indictment says. Read More »

CMS launches stroke/heart disease reduction program

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is reaching deeper into primary care assessments to develop individualized treatment plans to reduce risks and promote wellness. Read More »

AHCA/NCAL honors 2016 award winners

The AHCA/NCAL awards recognize those who have given exceptional care and efforts to residents in long-term and post-acute care, assisted living and ID/DD facilities. Read More »

HCR ManorCare launches lewy body dementia pilot program

 Long-term care owner and operator HCR ManorCare has partnered with the Lewy Body Dementia Association to offer support and education on Lewy body dementia.  Read More »

CMS saved $42B by preventing fraud and improper payment

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has saved $42 billion in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 by proactively preventing potential fraud and dispersing improper payments. Additional savings are expected for fiscal year 2015.  Read More »

Training, practice and technology pay off in real emergencies

Two real-life incidents show the importance of preparedness and training, so if the worst happens, your staff is ready. Read More »

US CareNet expands into care management

US CareNet will provide chronic care and transitional care management, population health management and care coordination services for healthcare providers through NavCare, its new business division. Read More »

The cost of payroll-based journal reporting adding up fast

Skilled nursing facilities are quickly finding the Payroll-Based Journal Reporting, mandated timekeeping regulations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, are more time-consuming than anticipated. Read More »

Hospital care transitions are key for those with Alzheimer’s or other dementias

Going to the hospital can be confusing for those with dementia, complicate their clinical symptoms and even make their dementia worse. Some hospitals may be better prepared and trained in dementia care than others, says a panel of care transition experts. Read More »

Study finds link between brain injury and Parkinson’s but not Alzheimer’s

Researchers did not see a relationship between people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and late-onset Alzheimer's disease in one of the largest studies of TBI to date, signaling the need for more brain research. Read More »

Older women more vulnerable, less likely to be screened after broken hip

Fewer than one in five women who break their hip receive at least one of the recommended osteoporosis screening tests or treatments within six months of incidence, according to a metaanalysis from the AARP Public Policy Institute.  Read More »