Pamela Tabar
Therapy cap survives via congressional inaction
Congress recessed for the final holiday of 2017 without addressing the current Medicare therapy cap exceptions process, set to expire on December 31. Without the exceptions process or an alternative, therapists will not be allowed to provide services above the therapy cap in 2018. Read More »
Pet therapy is for the birds
Senior living providers are learning a bird in the hand is worth a lot to seniors who suffer from loneliness. Read More »
The geography of dementia rates
The dementia rates in rural areas have dropped faster than rates in urban areas, but the reason might be surprising, notes a study from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Read More »
Dementia rates: rural vs urban areas
The dementia rates in rural areas have dropped faster than rates in urban areas, but the reason might be surprising, notes a study from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Read More »
Humana joins the Kindred buyers’ table
The Kentucky insurer is the latest to buy a piece of Kindred, and the deal could have significant impacts on Humana’s competitive edge in seniors’ at-home care. Read More »
The sound of participation
A Boston startup is helping residents stay involved by bringing conversations up close and personal to combat hearing loss. Read More »
Huntington’s disease dementia may hold clues for Alzheimer’s
The buildup of a specific chemical in the brain is an early sign of Huntington's dementia, and it could help with early detection of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, says a new study. Read More »
DOJ tallies $57M in Medicare fraud busts in two weeks
Medicare fraud squads are closing out 2017 by catching a wide range of health service providers in the crosshairs of crime, including several cases of opioid-related fraud. Read More »
Home care workers need more training in dementia care: PHI brief
Most states don’t yet require dementia training for home care workers. Will deeper training in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias become the market differentiator in the home care sector? Read More »
Alzheimer’s diagnosis: Would you want to know?
A British survey shows that most people feel the knowledge of the diagnosis would be valuable even if the disease has no cure. Read More »
U of MN develops retinal camera to detect Alzheimer’s earlier
The high-tech retinal imaging captures clues to early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and could speed medication development.
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ADA releases 2018 diabetes care guidelines
Many of the new care recommendations involve adults with hypertension or cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes.
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Flu activity could be earlier, worse than last year: CDC
The 2017-2018 flu season is just beginning, but experts hint that it could ramp up earlier and be more severe than usual.
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The secret to reducing hospitalizations: APRNs
A Missouri skilled nursing program reduced unnecessary hospitalizations by nearly 50 percent by using full-time APRNs, according to a CMS report.
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Treat hypertension earlier and keep it lower, new guidelines say
The first new high blood pressure guidelines in a decade suggest keeping blood pressure lower than previously recommended in order to improve cardiovascular and kidney health in later years.
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U. Pitt, HERL develop waterproof, battery-free wheelchair
Look, Gramma—no batteries! This new wheelchair operates using pressurized air instead of heavy batteries and electronics and recharges in just 10 minutes.
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Simulating the sounds of dementia
An Australian team has created a simulation to mimic how people with dementia hear, and it could affect the way memory care centers are designed.
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CMS puts 18-mo. hold on certain enforcements, 5-star ratings
The agency has issued a temporary moratorium on the enforcement of eight specific Phase 2 F-Tags, although the new survey process begins this week as scheduled.
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Muscle mass, BMI and osteoarthritis
Body Mass Index (BMI) alone isn’t a reliable factor on osteoarthritis quality of life, according to new data.
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2017 OPTIMA Award: The power of No
The winner of the 2017 OPTIMA Award for Excellence in Memory Care has slashed its use of antipsychotics to just 3 percent by retraining its staff and implementing a strict “just say no” policy. Read More »
CMS adds online tool for quality measures
The web-accessible version of the CMS Measures Inventory Tool (CMIT) will make it easier for providers to track their quality measures across the care continuum.
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Ready for anything
As the new CMS emergency planning regulations go into effect this month, a crisis-filled 2017 has already given many states multiple reasons to be ready for anything.
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CMS proposes new Immediate Jeopardy policy for SNFs
The draft policy could reduce the likelihood of high civil money penalties against skilled nursing providers for immediate jeopardy deficiences that resulted in no harm or death.
LTC associations urge Congress to keep the medical expenses tax deduction
The tax deduction for medical expenses is on the chopping block in the Trump Administration’s new tax reform bill, an elimination that could seriously hurt all seniors, especially those with dementia.
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Dementia rises to No. 1 killer in Britain
Advocacy groups say the government’s £132 million funding for Alzheimer’s research needs to be doubled for at least the next five years.
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CMS proposes new Immediate Jeopardy policy for nursing homes
The draft policy could reduce the likelihood of high civil money penalties against skilled nursing providers for immediate jeopardy deficiences that resulted in no harm or death.
Financing memory care
Ready to expand your memory care offerings? Investment experts weigh in on how organizations can position themselves for the best financing options, whether it’s for new construction or retrofitting existing units. Read More »
Fundraising: Putting mission over money
Inspiring charitable giving is crucial for not-for-profit organizations. Harvard professor Jennifer McCrea explains how to engage potential contributors in a conversation about mission instead of money. Read More »
Virtual reality day-tripping
A Dallas startup has created a virtual reality system that can take residents to 1950s London for lunch, plus a library full of other destinations.
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Hypertension in the female 40s: A big risk-booster for dementia
Increased risk factors for dementia can begin earlier in life than you think, especially for hypertensive women.
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