Advanced practice registered nurses, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives and physician assistants would be allowed to order home health services under Medicare in accordance with state law under legislation being considered by Congress. Read More »
Are opioid painkillers safer and more effective than over-the-counter medications in the senior population? A National Safety Council white paper looks at both sides of the question. Read More »
Not all childhood memories are pleasant. Catching the chickenpox was a bummer, but you got over it. The angry red spots and itchiness went away, but chickenpox left a souvenir—the herpes zoster virus. Read More »
AMDA–The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine has resources you can use to show appreciation to the long-term care physicians with whom you work. Read More »
Those who care for older adults can lead efforts to ensure fair and equitable treatment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals subject to discrimination, according to a new position statement from the American Geriatrics Society. Read More »
Infection prevention is about much more than hand-washing, and many skilled nursing facilities are re-examining their infection control processes under the culture of safety. Read More »
This year's flu vaccine has had an overall effectiveness of 19 percent, according to the CDC. With an eye toward next year, the FDA has recommended a trivalent vaccine that includes two strains that were not part of this year's vaccine. Read More »
A Philadelphia area health system is expanding its integrative medicine program beyond hospital patients to include those in long-term care, outpatient care and home care, as well as caregivers. Read More »
Independence at Home, operated by SCAN Health Plan, has added a new program for older adults that provides screening, assessment, counseling, brief therapy and action planning for individuals who may be misusing alcohol, drugs or prescription medication. 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 »
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 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 »
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 »
Not only does a SNF survey cause long-term care staff concern, but residents witness the process firsthand to see how the care they receive is evaluated. Read More »
Some diagnosis-related rehospitalizations have decreased among home healthcare recipients, according to new data, which also reveal improved quality in several areas. Read More »
One community finds its firefighters performing assistance tasks that should be addressed by caregivers or staff at skilled nursing facilities. Read More »
When care and assistance is needed, where can low-income seniors go to have the services they need delivered in a safe, secure and affordable environment? Read More »
A former psychiatrist on Friday is expected to plead guilty to taking kickbacks from a drug manufacturer in exchange for prescribing clozapine. Read More »
CMS has officially eliminated the practice of paying lower fees to long-term care (LTC) pharmacies that dispense Medicare Part D medications meant to be used for less than 30 days. LTC pharmacy associations weigh in on what the changes will mean. Read More »
A new course and contest for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are designed to keep CNAs abreast of the latest knowledge to perform their duties. And they may help providers with staff retention in the process. Read More »
Flu-related hospitalization rates for those aged 65 or more years have hit an all-time high, but the CDC has advice to prevent or lessen the effects of the virus. Read More »
The CDC is seeing more cases of measles than in years past, with a more-than-usual number of them in adults. Here are five ways to reduce the likelihood that the outbreak will affect your employees, residents and their families. Read More »
Findings of low vaccination rates among nursing home staff members, reported in the American Journal of Infection Control, echo data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers offer recommendations to improve the rate. Read More »
