Resident Care

Stress may precede falls, and new technology may detect them

New research finds that older men experiencing the death of a loved one or financial problems are more likely to fall within the next year. Technology under development may help detect such falls, however, and notify caregivers for assistance. Read More »

My search for a new home

Relocating to a new nursing facility is not as easy as it sounds, as Kathleen Mears describes in her quest to find accommodations that fit her needs and interests.  Read More »

Nursing homes serving black residents have fewer resources for care, study finds

A study of more than 11,500 nursing homes reveals racial disparities in care, and researchers have some ideas about why – and some potential solutions, too. Read More »

Author’s royalties to benefit the National Hospice Foundation

Award-winning author and photographer Judith Fox supports hospice and palliative care on a national level, donating royalties from her newly released book One Foot Forward. Read More »

Pneumonia, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dementia

Three recent studies provide new knowledge related to the development, prevention or prediction of dementia in various populations. Read More »

In Maryland, a new treatment directive replaces standard DNR form

How far does a “Do Not Resuscitate” order go? In Maryland, the state doesn’t think it goes far enough and replaces the DNR with a new, more comprehensive form. Read More »

Trends in resident care services and infection control

Now that providing quality resident care has grown far beyond mere Activities of Daily Living, we asked Long-Term Living's readers to tell us about their communities' new care initiatives, including their clinical monitoring programs, infection control protocols and, of course, how they’re training their nurses and other caregivers to meet the new care quality levels demanded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read More »

Informed consent provisions strong in only 7 states, group says

The informed consent rights of nursing home residents in 43 states may not be fully realized due to weak or nonexistent provisions, according to a nonprofit organization’s new analysis. Read More »

5 tests to avoid in long-term care settings

Percutaneous feeding tubes, sliding scale insulin, urine cultures, antipsychotic medications and lipid-lowering drugs should be used only under certain circumstances, representatives of the long-term care field say in a national campaign. Read More »

Aging, longevity clues arise from gene study

Researchers found a way to extend the life of study subjects by 20 percent, but the rate of aging varied by body system. Read More »

Looking for a better shower experience

A satisfying shower experience shouldn’t require a magician's touch on a shower wand to provide warm water and pressure, as Kathleen Mears explains in her weekly blog. Read More »

Step into September

As we say good-bye to August and begin the “dog days” of summer, there are a number of exciting events and seasonal advisories to share. Read More »

The present and future of long-term services and support

Newly released data summarize the present state of long-term services and support — and what the future holds. Read More »

App designed to foster interaction between adults with dementia, caregivers

A new app expands on a popular live program that provides an alternative way for older adults with cognitive disabilities to communicate and reflect on their life experiences while enjoying themselves in the moment. Read More »

Not enough ‘assist’ in assisted living for me

Twenty years ago, Long-Term Living blogger Kathleen Mears decided that because of her disability and need for additional care, it was time to consider long-term care. She shares her reason for choosing skilled nursing. Read More »

Does Parkinson’s need to meet Mary Jane?

New drug-extraction techniques have turned the spotlight back on how CBD can help to treat those with neurological tremor disorders like Parkinson’s—and the new interest in a “transformed” version of medical marijuana. Read More »

Assisted Living 2.0

As more seniors age in place, the assisted living model undergoes a substantial redesign to meet the needs of the coming Baby Boomer generation and the increasing need for memory care. Read More »

9 new quality goals for nursing homes unveiled by initiative

Nursing homes participating in a new initiative may gain competitive advantages, organizers say. In the process, they could collect data helpful in establishing uniform national standards and evidence-based best practices. Read More »

Rapid aging may be your mother’s doing, study says

Good genes? Researchers link the aging process to defective DNA inherited from mother. Read More »

Recruitment company owner found guilty of forced labor

Foreign-born nurses answering an Internet recruitment ad were lured to the United States on the promise of university-level positions. When the nurses arrived, they found no job and no university. Read More »

5 communities win gold from AHCA/NCAL

Five communities join the elite ranks of gold-level winners in AHCA/NCAL's National Quality Award program. Read More »

In the news: Consensual sexual expression or rape?

Residents with dementia face another challenge in the area of sexuality. Long-Term Living blogger Kathleen Mears reviews and comments on a recent news item. Read More »

Ethics issues in dementia care are often inconsistent, study says

Treating a resident with any level of dementia involves much more than the clinical data, as one study shows. Read More »

Got greenery? New landscape architecture competition launches for senior living communities

How does your garden grow? We've joined our sister publications to introduce a new competition for landscape projects in senior living communities, behavioral health and acute care. Read More »

Remote patient-monitoring technology still faces reimbursement roadblock

Device improvements as well as changes in government incentives, nursing staffing levels and the size of the senior population will lead to greater adoption of telemedicine in long-term care, but reimbursement remains a challenge for now. Read More »

New dementia care standards proposed for Mass. nursing homes

Massachusetts regulators work to close a loophole that allows senior care sites to advertise dementia services even though staff might have no dementia-specific training. Read More »

Is a C. diff vaccine really on the horizon?

As clinical research trials advance into Phase 3, the idea of a vaccine for C. difficile may be inching closer to a reality. Read More »

Early-onset dementia: 9 risk factors identified

New research identifying nine risk factors for early-onset dementia ultimately could lead to treatments to prevent development of the condition. Read More »

A tiny woman conveys a big message about fitness

Carol Collins and the other athletes who participated in the National Senior Games are inspiring. Unfortunately, they are in the minority of older Americans when it comes to exercising. How can we get others to be more like them? Read More »

Uncertainty suggests a move

There comes a time when deciding whether to remain at home becomes a needs-based decision. Kathy Mears tells about a couple trying to cope with not only disease, but disability issues. Read More »