Clinical

Power chair challenges: Part 2

In Part 1, resident blogger Kathleen Mears shared her frustration when a motorized wheelchair did not accommodate her needs or became inoperable. In this installment, she shares more impacts when her assistive device doesn't work as it should. Read More »

PharMerica, Amgen reach settlement

Kentucky and 25 other states accuse PharMerica Corp.of accepting payoffs to switch nursing home residents to Amgen product for anemia. Read More »

WVa now requires state, national criminal background checks for LTC workers

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources now requires fingerprint-based state and national criminal background checks for long-term care workers. Read More »

Nursing home sues state attorney general

One of seven New Mexico nursing homes being sued by state Attorney General Hector Balderas has struck back with a lawsuit of its own. Read More »

Nursing home residents at higher risk for dehydration

Seniors living in nursing homes are more likely to be dehydrated than seniors living independently, according to a new study. Read More »

AHCA/NCAL names the 2015 gold quality award winners

Four long-term/post-acute care providers have earned this year's top quality awards from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. Read More »

Researchers get one step closer to solving hereditary edema

The extreme tissue swelling caused by edema can aggravate many conditions, and scientists now think they’re discovered the genetic makeup of a new type of hereditary edema. Read More »

CMS extends execution delay for ‘two-midnight’ rule again

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has pushed the deadline for the "two-midnight" rule to the end of the year. Read More »

Gearing up for OSHA lifting policy changes

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is about to get tougher on injuries casued by lifting- and transferring-related activities. Here's how to rework your lifting protocols and educate your staff. Read More »

MA lawmakers propose new rules for closing, selling nursing homes

Massachusetts lawmakers are asking that the process companies go through to sell or close a nursing home become more public.  Read More »

FDA warns of errors with same-sounding drugs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration  (FDA) warns of prescribing errors among same-sounding drugs, including several that are used to treat conditions common among older adults. Read More »

Ohio may integrate convicts into nursing homes

The costs of caring for sick and frail older convicts are skyrocketing and soon so will the numbers of elderly inmates in the nation’s prison systems. The Ohio Department of Corrections thinks it has found the answer to reducing the state's costs of providing care. Read More »

Some dementia drugs contribute to weight loss

A new study ties some of today’s most common dementia drugs to sharper weight loss and gastrointestinal complications.  Read More »

Pennsylvania creates task force to oversee nursing home care

The task force has been asked to identify ways the health department can advance quality improvement in the state's LTC facilities.  Read More »

Senator questions integrity of five-star nursing home rating system

Sen. Bob Casey (D-Penn.) has called for an investigation of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid's five-star nursing home compare tool.  Read More »

MDS assessment accuracy and quality outcome success

MDS coordinators are charged with the responsibility to ensure all of the data accurately reflects all residents and the care that is being provided to them. Read More »

FDA warns of infusion pump vulnerability

The federal Food and Drug Administration warns healthcare facilities using the Symbiq infusion pump system to be aware that the drug system is vulnerable to hacking. Read More »

Addiction in seniors: ‘It’s at epidemic levels’

A "silver tsunami" of addicted seniors is coming, warned a speaker at this week's National Conference on Addiction Disorders, hosted by sister-publication Addiction Professional.  Read More »

Technology advancements improve documentation and care

Point-of-care (POC) technology solutions reduce costs and improve quality of care for hospice, home health providers. Read More »

Coordinated data-sharing could cut “superbug” infections in half

Aggressive intervention using a coordinated approach could prevent healthcare-related infections and death, saving the healthcare system billions of dollars in treatment costs. Read More »

Senior mental health: Too many pills, not enough services?

Seniors seem to be getting plenty of mental health medications, like antidepressants and anti-anxiety pills. But a recent report shows that older adults are far less likely than younger adults to receive the supportive mental health services that often accompany a mental health diagnosis. Read More »

Wide beds: Added inches, added safety

Wide beds and wider mattresses can reduce the number of falls experienced by long-term care residents, notes a new case study. Read More »

The aging brain and its influence on sound processing

For years, greeting card companies have spoofed some seniors’ inability to accurately interpret what is said to them to what they actually hear. There’s a reason why this happens and it’s all in their heads, according to new research. Read More »

6 resident care pitfalls for SNFs

Six common resident care issues can become big problems for skilled nursing facility care if not dealt with carefully. The Justice in Aging organization suggests ways to confront and solve them. Read More »

Upgraded SNF restorative program reduces falls

Dramatic results from a recent study indicate that integrating Progressive Resistance Exercise (PRE) into the active range of motion portion of a restorative program improves strength and balance. Read More »

Photo project captures the picture of joy

Residents at Avanti Senior Living are getting camera-ready for a new photography project about living life passionately in older years. Read More »

An eye drop that dissolves cataracts under development

The eye drops shrink cataracts until they are dissolved. Read More »

Saliva could predict early onset Alzheimer’s

A saliva test could predict Alzheimer's even in people who don't yet have memory or cognition problems associated with the disease. Read More »

CMS proposes mandatory antibiotic stewardship programs in LTC

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' proposed rule would require long-term care facilities to establish an antibiotic stewardship program in order to participate in Medicare. Read More »

ONC creates roadmap for Health IT Safety Center

An Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology task force has created a roadmap to improve identification and sharing of information on health IT-related safety events. Read More »