Administration

Telehealth bill proposes higher federal payments, less restrictions

Congress is considering new legislation that would erase many of the barriers to telehealth adoption and create better incentives for providers. Read More »

Skin and wound care programs for LTC

In many LTC facilities, nurse aides and practical nurses don't always have the benefit of regular contact with physicians and registered nurses. Do your NAs and PNs have the training they need to recognize skin conditions and administer the best wound care? Read More »

New Chinese law: Visit your elderly parents—or else

“Respecting your elders” has gained a new meaning in China, where the national elder law has been amended to allow elders to sue their children for not taking care of them. Read More »

Obama, Senators set 11th-hour fiscal cliff meeting

No one’s sure what key bargaining chips will be in play at today’s 3 p.m. meeting between President Obama and congressional leaders, but raising the Medicare age isn’t going to be one of them, according to a key Democratic Senator. Read More »

Redecorate with 2013’s forecasted “hot” colors

The new year is only days away, but it’s not too early to “think Spring.” Consider refreshing the environment of your facility or incorporating the “now” hues into your remodel or construction plans. Read More »

CDC: Make brain health a national priority

Placing brain health among the current national health priorities--like diabetes and heart disease--can give cognitive health the attention and respect it needs to foster awareness and better prevention habits, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Health Brain Initiative. Read More »

Top 10 LTC news stories of 2012

The long-term care industry was buffeted by forceful winds of change in 2012. Regulatory, political, economic and societal transitions tested providers’ mettle as the LTC landscape struggles to evolve and adapt. Technological advances and an improving senior housing market were bright spots in a busy news year. Read More »

Washington Update: Republicans fail to support Boehner’s latest fiscal cliff proposal

On the Friday before the Christmas holiday, Congress is still nowhere on an agreement to avert sequestration and the fiscal cliff. Read More »

Alzheimer’s Association releases first comprehensive guide on assessing cognition

Physicians now have a detailed guide for testing cognition and detecting impairment, blostering early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Read More »

HUD gives $26 million for assisted living conversions

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is paying apartment owners in nine states to convert their buildings to assisted living units. Read More »

When high-tech meets low-tech

We’ve got high-tech flooring sensors, in-room monitors for falls management and remote home monitoring.. . but wait—did we forget to redesign the stairs? Today's IOM meeting in Washington, D.C., provides a backdrop for good discussions on technology, health space design and mission. Read More »

IOM’s “Fostering Independence and Healthy Aging Through Technology” conference

Long-term Living’s coverage from today’s "Public Workshop on Fostering Independence and Healthy Aging through Technology" in Washington, D.C.: Senior services leaders present the issues of “assistance technology” to keep seniors mobile and independent. Read More »

Are SNFs causing their own headaches?

MedPAC proposes more cuts for 2014, and the skilled nursing industry objects. But the GAO issues a report that can only make the industry’s case more difficult. Read More »

AHCA: Medicaid payment shortfalls projected at $7 billion for 2012

A new report released today by the American Health Care Association shows historic shortfalls in what Medicaid pays and what skilled nursing care actually costs. Read More »

5 tips for increasing LTC resident pay and reducing collections

As the resident pay portion in long-term care has increased over the last several years, many facilities are finding it difficult to collect the resident’s entire portion when the resident doesn't have the resources to pay all at once. Here are five key tips for increasing the collection of the resident pay portion, thus reducing the account receivables that end up in collections. Read More »

Providing shelter in the storm

One of the more compelling stories that came out of Superstorm Sandy in late October was the major blow dealt to New York City-area nursing homes. Staff and management at The Hebrew Home at Riverdale, N.Y., went above and beyond the call of duty in offering shelter and care for displaced area seniors. Read More »

Tragedy in Connecticut reinforces need to protect vulnerable populations

Safety and security is a matter that every type of LTC facility should take very seriously. Assuming that seniors are immune from the type of violence that was witnessed at Sandy Hook Elementary School is a mistake. Read More »

Medicare policies complicate aging-in-place strategies

If aging-in-place is on the rise, why is it becoming more difficult for stay-at-home seniors to get mobility equipment? Read More »

Injunction sends Conn. nursing home workers back to work

Nursing home workers return to work while their union and employer try to resolve the dispute. Read More »

HHS says no to full funding for partial Medicaid expansions

The Department of Health & Human Services clarified its position Monday on funding ratios for state Medicaid expansions and published an extensive FAQ list on state health insurance exchanges. Read More »

Washington Update: Medicare, ‘doc-fix’ and the ‘fiscal cliff’

Healthcare policy expert Blair Childs, vice president for public affairs at Premier healthcare alliance, gives his "insider impressions" of what’s happening on the Hill regarding a possible "doc-fix," Medicare funding, and possible Affordable Care Act policy changes as the deadline clock ticks down on the fiscal cliff. Read More »

One-on-one with … Sharon Yester

Sharon Yester, chief asset management officer for CNL Financial Group, the investment management firm of CNL Healthcare, spoke with Long-Term Living on emerging senior housing markets, finding good operators to partner with and meeting the exploding demand for memory care products. Read More »

Deinstitutionalized dining in LTC

Eliminating tray service in the dining room has deinstitutionalized meal times. Resident satisfaction has soared and Winchester Rehabilitation and Nursing has saved money. Read More »

Drug company must repay Medicare up to $48M for selling unapproved Xenaderm cream

The Healthpoint pharmaceutical company has to give back millions in Medicare reimbursements for false marketing of a skin ointment cream. Read More »

The 5 holiday gifts Grandma will actually want

What to get Gramma for the holidays? Forget the slippers and focus on a deeper understanding of what elders actually crave. Read More »

2012 National Influenza Vaccination Week

National health groups promote flu vaccine programs for keeping seniors—and their caregivers—healthy this season. Read More »

Flu season set to peak early; may collide with holidays

Whether you're a senior or a caregiver, take preventative steps now to make sure your holiday gift isn’t the flu. Read More »

Therapy cap would jeopardize seniors with Parkinson’s, stroke

Healthcare associations appeal to Congress to keep the therapy cap off the calendar for another year, as the clock ticks toward the December 31 Congressional deadline. Read More »

Prepare for disaster before disaster strikes

Creating a detailed emergency response plan—and keeping it updated—is crucial to safeguarding your organization’s residents, staff and property. These disaster planning checklists can help you manage risk and keep your staff ready for anything. Read More »

Time to review the 2013 OIG work plan

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is continuing its aggressive efforts to identify fraud among healthcare providers. In October, the OIG released its 2013 work plan, which outlines the audit and enforcement initiatives for Medicare and Medicaid providers in the coming year. Let's take a look at the Nursing Homes section of the work plan. Read More »