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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
The American Association of Directors of Nursing Services (AADNS) will offer DNSs in long-term care and post-acute care training, certification and host conferences. Read More »
Workers who drink or use drugs may be able to hide their impairment from the boss, but sometimes the residents can tell right away, explains SNF resident blogger Kathleen Mears. Read More »
Residents have a right to visitors, but SNFs must maintain safety and the rights of others. Long-Term Living's Legal expert Alan C. Horowitz shares some complicated cases and offers intervention strategies from chief medical directors. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will test a new payment model for nursing facilities and practitioners to further reduce avoidable hospitalizations and lower Medicare and Medicaid spending while improving patient care. Read More »
In the course of an investigation of a resident's death, state regulators determined substandard care resulted in a second resident death and resident fall at Woodbriar Health Center, the latest in a mounting citation list for owner Synergy Health Centers. Read More »
Children at one Denver school study the history of and write about Alzheimer’s disease. The multi-subject curriculum on memory care is designed to make children less scared and confused about what changes might be happening with an aging loved one. Read More »
