Month: December 2016

SNF liability rates could rise in 2017

Claims are growing in severity and frequency, according to an annual actuarial report. Read More »

CareLinx partners with Lyft to give seniors a ride

A new partnership between CareLinx and the rideshare company will allow seniors and their caregivers to call for a door-through-door ride anytime to anywhere.  Read More »

AMA releases guidelines for health apps adoption

Health apps like fitness trackers and vitals testers can be a fun way to engage people in their own wellness, but finding apps that have value for the whole clinician-patient relationship hasn’t been easy. Read More »

Carol of the children

First- and second-graders spent a day singing for nursing home residents and spreading Christmas cheer in Illinois.  Read More »

CliftonLarsonAllen, VNAA partner for home health

The financial advisory firm and the visiting nurses organization want to improve education for home-based care providers trying to transition to  value-based payment models. Read More »

NY operators ordered to pay $2M in back overtime wages

The Queens, N.Y.-based Grand Healthcare System was cited for improper documentation of work hours, among other things. Read More »

AMA releases guidelines for health apps adoption

Health apps like fitness trackers and vitals testers can be a fun way to engage people in their own wellness, but finding apps that have value for the whole clinician-patient relationship hasn’t been easy. Read More »

New treatment targets for psoriasis

The National Psoriasis Foundation has released national treatment guidelines for plaque psoriasis, an inflammatory disease of the skin often exacerbated by other chronic illnesses.  Read More »

Medications and the CMS Mega Rule

The new CMS rule for long-term care facilities includes plenty of medication-related changes, including antibiotic stewardship and new documentation requirements for medication reviews. Read More »

Don’t let Seasonal Affective Disorder make you sad

SNF resident blogger Kathleen Mears reflects on the change of seasons and why she prefers them despite the dark, bitter cold mornings that make her want to go back to sleep.  Read More »

LTC industry: Get back to basics ahead of Trump Adminstration

There may be regulatory changes ahead for the long-term care industry under a Trump Administration and Republican-led Congress, but Cynthia Morton says the best thing long-term care facilities can do is to keep doing what they've always done: take care of people. Read More »

21st Century Cures Act includes ambitious health care spending

Both parties of Congress agree more money needs to be spent on cancer research, mental health, precision medicine, BRAIN initiatives, the opioid epidemic and regulating medical software.  Read More »

The MOLST important document: End-of-life wishes

One NY state CCRC community takes end-of-life wishes so seriously it has made the MOLST form part of its electronic health records—the first LTC site in NY state to do so. Read More »

GOP, Trump regime met with optimism

AHCA/NCAL anticipates—and looks forward to—expected regulatory relief and repeal under the new Republican-led White House and Congress. Read More »

Leaders of Tomorrow

Leaders of Tomorrow would like to recognize professionals—especially those early in their careers—who already are making a difference on ... Read More »

Employee drug testing under the new OSHA rules

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has new rules about discrimination and retaliation, and your organization's employee drug-testing policies may need to be revised to stay in compliance. Read More »

World’s oldest woman celebrates another birthday

Emma Morano, of Italy, celebrated her 117th birthday. She is the oldest person in the world, according to the Guinness World Records.  Read More »

CDC kicks off seasonal flu campaign

Seniors are in the spotlight this week as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launches its 2016-2017 National Influenza Vaccination Week. Read More »

Chinese nursing home offers visitor rewards

A Chinese nursing home has a family rewards program whereby visits from loved ones can be redeemed for goods or services at the home. The facility has awarded 227 awards worth more than 30,000 yuan (about $4,000 USD) since the program began this fall.  Read More »

Ready, set… Grow!

Long-Term Living has exciting news to share! We've got big plans for 2017, and we want YOU to be part of the journey! Read More »

Shopping on behalf of residents

Resident blogger Kathleen Mears reflects on the challenge of not being able to run to the store spur of the moment—and the added difficulty of asking someone to shop for you.  Read More »

10 ways to reduce UTIs

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the leading infection in long-term care and can manifest as serious symptoms. Learn how to reduce prevalence and bolster preventive programs.  Read More »

Psychotropics increase falls risk among NH residents

Researchers have found antipsychotics and antidepressants increase the risk of falls for nursing home residents. That risk increased by nearly three-fold when those residents took at least one prescription on a scheduled basis.  Read More »

What residents with Alzheimer’s really want for the holidays

How do you visit and converse with someone who doesn’t quite recall who you are? Here are 12 tips for encouraging healthy, happy holiday visits for those who have dementia. Read More »

Home health pushes for more thought on CMS pre-claim policy

A coalition of home health providers is encouraging Congress to give Medicare more time to iron out its home health pre-claim policy before pilots begin. Read More »

Medicare crunch time with Trump administration, Part II

Contributor Robert Gatty ponders whether sweeping reforms are ahead as President-elect Donald Trump fills out his Cabinet and Republicans retain majority in Congress.  Read More »

Oklahoma LTC pharmacy expands

Boomer Solutions has opened another pharmacy in partnership with Guardian Pharmacy to serve Oklahoma seniors across the care continuum.  Read More »