A sick workforce can create staffing and resident wellness challenges for long-term care providers. A new toolkit is designed to help employers educate their staff members on the importance of being vaccinated against influenza. Read More »
The prevalence of particularly nasty flu viruses this year is prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to predict a potentially severe flu season. The agency recommends immediate vaccination or quick treatment as warranted. Read More »
Although mechanical lifts make moving a patient easier for the caregiver, safety can be compromised if the user does not know how to operate the lift properly. Read More »
Infection control is a major culprit in the often-fatal virus known as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, according to a new literature review. Read More »
In long-term care, residents can experience symptoms of seasonal depression, which might go unrecognized unless caregivers and families keep a watchful eye. Read More »
Keeping the bedsores at bay is about much more than body-turning protocols. Helping residents and their families understand the importance of skin health can make fighting unnecessary skin breakdown a group effort. Read More »
The American Geriatrics Society has released a new guideline to prevent and treat postoperative delirium in older adults in an effort to reduce complications resulting in longer hospital stays and delayed rehabilitation. Read More »
CMS has followed the lead of a preventive services agency and proposed coverage of annual lung cancer screenings for certain older adults. But can Medicare afford it? Read More »
A small, pocket-sized document can help curb antibiotic drug resistance and improve the treatment and outcomes of the frail and elderly in skilled nursing facilities, according to a recent study. Read More »
Treating a cold is not as simple as taking the latest advertised remedy off the shelf. If you live or work in a long-term care setting, let staff and residents know that choosing a cold reliever takes serious thought. Read More »
In a recent study, Medicare beneficiaries who receive hospice care had lower rates of hospitalization, ICU admissions and invasive procedures at the end of life, along with lower healthcare expenditures during the last year of life. Read More »
The first national joint replacement database issues its first report and intends to add more data sets to improve the quality of joint replacement devices and procedures. Read More »
Nine quality measures will be part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Dialysis Facility Compare star rating program for dialysis providers participating in Medicare when it rolls out in January. Read More »
Residents can empathize with fellow residents' challenges even as they strive to cope with and overcome their own physical, emotional and/or behavioral challenges. Read More »
Take time this month to honor the hospice and home care workers who provide valuable service and commitment to the people they serve with skill and compassion. Read More »
A national private-duty home care franchisor is one of only two to receive the Enterprise Champion for Quality award since it was established in 2013. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is giving the reimbursement nod to a first-of-its-kind genetic test to help physicians choose the best medication to treat depression in older adults. Will this policy help solve the tricky task of treating depression in care settings plagued by polypharmacy and look-alike symptoms? Read More »
CMS recently updated the change of therapy requirements found in the RAI User’s Manual. Understanding the changes can ensure correct reimbursement and avoid miscalculations. Read More »
The effects of high levels of radon gas in homes and buildings across the United States pose a serious risk of developing lung cancer. Take time to test now. Read More »
Preserving continence is important to a resident’s dignity and self-esteem. Unfortunately, some residents have to rely on others to assist them and the timing might not always be convenient. Read More »
The media storm over the Ebola threat is creating fear and suspicion throughout the country. Being aware of the threat is smart, but being obsessed with the remote possibility of infection can be distracting. Read More »
Ebola is in the news, but those working in long-term care face a bigger threat to their health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a wealth of information on both. Read More »
For many people, autumn is their favorite time of year. The air is crisp, the foliage is brilliant and warm days still pop up occasionally, drawing residents outdoors. It is also the season when pollens, molds and other allergens contaminate the air and trigger allergic reactions. Read More »
Various conditions, including age, can affect how the body reacts to a psychotropic drug, such as Valium, as Kathleen Mears found out after decades of use. Read More »
Fighting resistant organisms takes strong tactics because of years of antibiotic abuse. Prevention protocols, adequate staffing and awareness are key to avoiding the creation of bigger, badder bugs. Read More »
Gastrostomy tubes and other enteral devices are not advised for use in end-of-life or advance dementia situations because risks might outweigh the benefits, according to new report. Read More »
