Innovation program to reduce nursing home hospitalizations

The Center for Innovation has invested more than $30 million for Indiana University’s project to reduce avoidable hospitalizations for nursing home residents by providing higher levels of care on site. Read More »

New drug could become first FDA-approved treatment for Parkinson’s disease pyschosis

A new drug treatment for Parkinson’s disease psychosis has been given a major thumbs-up by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) committee, a crucial step in the agency's drug-approval process. If the drug eventually receives full FDA approval, it will be the first treatment of its kind, researchers say. Read More »

AMDA names 2016 medical director of the year

A St. Petersburg, Fla. senior living medical director is AMDA's top CMD for 2016. Read More »

Penn. SNF union workers to earn $15 an hour

On the heels of California and New York, thousands of CNAs in Pennsylvania will now earn $15 an hour. Read More »

Joshua Freitas named NCCDP’s 2016 educator of the year

The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners has named a former OPTIMA award winner the educator of the year for educating—and inspiring—frontline staff on dementia care. Read More »

Adding color to ICD-10 codes

A group of health information technology nerds enjoyed finding obscure and absurd ICD-10 codes like toxic effect of venom of bees, intentional self-harm. They thought others might, too, so they found their favorites, formed a publishing company and illustrated them for your amusement. Read More »

Calif. nursing home population growing younger

From 1994 to 2014, the population of California nursing home residents under age 65 increased by nearly 40 percent. So, too, did the number of reported problems directly related to the resident population mix.   Read More »

USF study: Brain exercise lets seniors drive on

University of South Florida researchers say certain types of brain exercise can improve reaction times, staving off cognitive decline and letting seniors hang onto a key piece of independence: a driver's license. Read More »

Focused Dementia Care Surveys: What You Need to Know

CMS is moving forward with new surveyor tools for facilities that offer dementia care. does your staff know how to document for the new survey? Read More »

Training went unheeded at Woodbriar Health Center, say Mass. regulators

Employees at Woodbriar Health Center were retrained on falls-related injuries following the death of a resident, according to a revised plan submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Helath. The department says the second fall-related resident death is the result of deficient care.  Read More »

Fla. passes LTC wait-list prioritization law

The new law will require the state’s Department of Elderly Affairs to sort and prioritize those who are receiving long-term care services and those who are waiting for consideration. Read More »

Proposed legislation aimed at comorbidity among Medicare beneficiaries

A U.S. Senate Working Group has outlined priorities for improving Medicare delivery to beneficiaries with multiple, complex chronic illnesses while reducing healthcare expenditures.  Read More »

In the future: ‘Droney’ the helper

Drones could someday provide the ultimate in customer service in nursing home setting, delivering sheets, fetching water and monitoring hallways for wanderers. But, would residents want it? Read More »

LTC mergers: Transitioning the culture clash

Putting two companies together successfully means keeping a close eye on staff transitions. Read More »

Calif. agrees to $15 minimum wage

The state of California legislature has passed a bill to raise the hourly minimum wage to $15 gradually over the next six years. Read More »

TL Management buys Bon Secours NY

Bon Secours Health System sells its NY arm, including the Schervier Nursing Care Center and other senior living properties. Read More »

mmLearn.org expands healthcare training video collection

The Web-based training company adds new training resources based on current trends and industry demand to fill employee healthcare training gaps, increase job satisfaction, reduce turnover and ultimately improve patient care.   Read More »

CMS solicits advancements, interventions in care delivery through Special Innovation Projects

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services seeks ideas for improving care delivery through a Special Innovation Program and will offer 28 awards totaling $8 million. Statements of Objectives will be available early April.  Read More »

Case Study: Assistive services bridging the gap

Sometimes a bit of help and some occasional services are all seniors need to retain independence a little longer—and stay out of a higher level of care. Read how one senior living organization’s idea for boutique services changed its residents’ lives in just two years. Read More »

FBI investigates hospice owner for overmedicating, Medicare fraud

The FBI is looking into claims the 34-year old accountant himself chose which home healthcare patients would be moved to hospice, recruited unqualified patients and charged the government for services not medically necessary. Read More »

AMDA announces 2016-17 Board of Directors

AMDA enters spring with a new president, new board members and a new logo. Read More »

World’s aging population continues to grow older

Researchers project an unprecedented growth of people age 65 and older by 2050, but living longer doesn’t mean people are living healthier.  Read More »

Government to add nearly 6,000 updates to ICD-10

The CDC and CMS announced they will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the transition to the new classification system by implementing new diagnosis codes, hospital inpatient procedure codes and revision of existing code titles.  Read More »

Nursing home antipsychotic drug rates slowly declining

The Long Term Care Community Coalition reviewed Medicare data to see how effective a federal campaign to reduce inappropriate antipsychotic drugging in nursing homes has been since it was launched fin 2012. There’s still a long way to go, the advocacy group found.  Read More »

A short stack a day may keep the Alzheimer’s away

New studies show eating blueberries improved brain function and activity in people with mild cognitive impairment. Pure maple syrup may prevent the formation of brain plaque and fibrillation of beta amyloid proteins. All of which is to say: eat to your health.  Read More »

Autumn Leaves launches music experience program at 40 memory care sites

The senior living chain is adding music experience outings to its individualized music in memory care program. Read More »

Recovering memories ‘lost’ by Alzheimer’s disease

People with early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can still make new memories, but a lack of sensory input connections prevent them from storing and later accessing those memories. Researchers tested a form of artificial stimulation that helped mice remember, suggesting potential new treatments.  Read More »

Bad news not necessarily bad for employee engagement

Administrators and executives, take note. Bad news doesn’t have to make employees feel blue, or worse, damper engagement and morale. The way people feel and react to news depends on how the information is presented.  Read More »