Is your community's new program or initiative OPTIMA Award-worthy? Learn how you can submit your innovative, resident-centered programs for Long-Term Living's national honor. The submission deadline has been extended to May 22. Read More »
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has formed the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network to help the federal government move toward greater use of alternative payment models. Read More »
Four members of Congress have launched the Assisting Caregivers Today Caucus to focus on issues related to family caregiving, and the American Health Care Association has become a charter member. Read More »
A California nursing home is the first skilled nursing facility in the country to receive certification for memory care under the Joint Commission’s new program. Read More »
Restoring Medicaid funding, improving Medicaid managed long-term care and protecting seniors from unexpected medical bills are the three legislative priorities set by the Florida Health Care Association for 2015, the organization has announced. Read More »
Members of the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association recently lobbied Congress to urge legislators to allow patients to receive rehabilitation care in rehab hospitals rather than in nursing homes when their needs require it. Read More »
How one continuing care retirement community tackled campus-wide changes to embrace memory care services and to integrate quality care with dementia-friendly settings. Read More »
Assisted living communities and home health agencies will be some of the next frontiers for the federal government’s efforts to reduce the use of antipsychotic medications in those with dementia, following a recommendation from the Government Accountability Office. Read More »
Injections, blood draws and some testing procedures expose healthcare personnel to the risk of a sharps injury. A sharps prevention program is key to preventing the spread of blood-borne pathogens. Read More »
Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems have improved the quality of care and the efficiency of caregivers in long-term living facilities across the nation. With only a 50% adoption rate, the long-term care industry continues to lag behind the adoption rates of other care industries.In this second installment, we’ll examine some of the widely accepted best practices for adoption of today’s electronic health record systems (EHR). Read more to learn about the benefits of EHR adoption in a long-term care facility, the top reasons for adoption, and where to start in the process.Click here to read more. Read More »
Getting tasks or treatments completed on time can be challenging in a nursing home. But when it happens, staff should find a common-sense solution to make up for lost time without disrupting residents' activities. Read More »
Influenza antiviral drugs continue to be severely underutilized in some high-risk people, according to a new study by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More »
The committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention met Feb. 26 and renewed its recommendation that everyone aged six or more months continue to be vaccinated against influenza annually. Read More »
Long-term care insurance companies nationwide paid a record $7.85 billion in claim benefits to 250,000 people in 2014, according to a recent report. Read More »
Diving into memory care services sounds easy—and lucrative. But doing it right will mean overhauling everything you think you know about care delivery. Read More »
Spending on nursing home care and home healthcare combined was $249 billion, or eight percent of total health spending, in December 2014, according to a February spending brief released by Altarum Institute. Read More »
Long-Term Living and I have been named 2014–2015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Flu Vaccination Digital Ambassadors, a formal acknowledgement of the efforts we have made and are making to keep you informed of best practices and trends related to the flu. Read More »
Aging services providers are relative newcomers to purchasing and using electronic medical records (EMR) systems, but the necessity of such systems in long-term care settings is becoming more important. A continuing care retirement community shares its EMR selection and implementation experience. Read More »
Two recent fires—one a tragedy, one a triumph—prove the wisdom of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandate to require sprinkler systems in skilled nursing facilities. Read More »
An examination of recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Nursing Home Compare data generates disturbing insights on the number of fines levied on skilled nursing facilities. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has posted information explaining the changes to its five-star nursing home rating system, which you can use to help educate prospective residents and their families. Read More »
