Rehabilitation

Back on my feet

After some missteps, the nurse manager told resident blogger Kathleen Mears she can once again stand to transfer.  Read More »

The risks of being home alone

Seniors can jeopardize their health when they refuse home health services after being discharged from the hospital.  Read More »

A change in dosage

Resident blogger Kathleen Mears shares how having her antidepressant adjusted has impacted her quality of life for the worse. Read More »

Physical therapy: Experience vs. equipment

Physical therapists must balance high-tech tools with acquired tricks of the trade to help patients get better, and stay better. Read More »

Pa. to provide training, support for family caregivers

New legislation will help family members who care for senior loved ones at home following hospital discharge.  Read More »

Home care before hospice

Home based palliative care, or pre-hospice, programs aim to improve quality of life by bringing healthcare workers into the home and better care coordination—all while cutting costs for seniors and Medicare. And research shows it’s working. Read More »

Interdisciplinary rehab helps seniors with chronic pain

New findings suggest that the more people at the rehabilitation table, the more seniors with chronic pain benefit.  Read More »

The therapy coding overhaul

CMS's recent changes to therapy code sets are rocking the provider world. This primer will help your facility transition to the new CPT codes and the new Medicare reimbursement rules that are coming next. Read More »

Volunteers of America buys into Centrex Rehab

Nonprofit Volunteers of America has become part owner of Centrex Rehab, allowing the company to nearly double in size. Read More »

CMS issues final rule for cardiac bundled payments

CMS released its latest episodic care models Tuesday, including the 90-day bundles for heart and bypass patients. Read More »

Value-driven senior living design

What values are driving the design of today’s senior living communities? Linden Wood Village is an example of how senior living communtities can balance amenities and variety with safety and security, all while being good neighbors. Read More »

Kindred is first LTC site to win NIST quality award

The U.S. Commerce Department has awarded a rehab facility tucked in the rural mountains of Idaho for its leadership in excellence and quality. Read More »

How the RAI Manual changes encourage collaboration

AANAC's Judi Kulus, RN breaks down the impacts of the new RAI Manual changes and why SNF needs to collaborate better among their care teams and with their outside partners—including therapy providers and home health. Read More »

The psychology of rehab

Fretting about CJR and rehab outcomes? Here’s why one of the best additions to your rehabilitation service line might be a psychologist. Read More »

Life Care Centers reaches $145M settlement

The nation’s largest private nursing home company will pay $145 million to settle claims it overcharged the government for therapy treatments.  Read More »

Post-acute care software companies merge

Casamba merges with post-acute software companies HealthWyse and TherapySource as part of a long-term growth strategy.  Read More »

It’s Never 2 Late launches rehab therapy program

It’s Never 2 Late Rehab gives therapists discipline-specific content to help seniors get engaged, exercise more and improve clinical outcomes.  Read More »

Admissions, discharges and data-sharing

Will hospitals and nursing homes ever be able to agree on a standard set of data to share during patient transfers? Thought leaders at the annual NASL meeting discuss the current regs—and what needs to happen next. Read More »

Study: Frailty screening can help residents weigh surgery risks

Screening older residents for frailty can help doctors assess the risks of surgery and can motivate pre-surgery improvements. Read More »

Animal comforts

Aminals have a special power to connect with seniors, including those whose dementia makes it hard for them to communicate. Furry, fuzzy and feathered assistants help their human counterparts engage residents with company and comfort near the end of life. Read More »

Judge: CMS fails to educate on maintenance therapy coverage changes

Too many beneficiaries—and their doctors—still don’t realize that maintenance therapies are now covered by Medicare, ruled a U.S. District Court judge. Read More »

3 LTC communities win Gold award for quality excellence

Three long-term/post-acute communities have won the top quality accolade from the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) National Quality Award Program. Read More »

Super-short-term stay model helps with therapy and laundry

A Maryland provider is starting a new service line for those who need some help after a hospitalization, but whose circumstances don’t justify a move-in. Read More »

Liar, liar: Many seniors fib about their capabilities after hospitalization

Seniors who have recently been discharged from the hospital often downplay or even lie about their capabilities and risk factors in an attempt to return to “the old normal,” notes a new study. Read More »

Older women more vulnerable, less likely to be screened after broken hip

Fewer than one in five women who break their hip receive at least one of the recommended osteoporosis screening tests or treatments within six months of incidence, according to a metaanalysis from the AARP Public Policy Institute.  Read More »

Study finds MEND could reverse memory loss

Memory and cognition improved in a small study of people with cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease by following a personalized therapeutic approach called metabolic enhancement for neurodegeneration (MEND), a 36-point diet, lifestyle and vitamin regimen. Read More »

Getting stiff

Getting that handy touchpad laptop made life seem easier, but it wasn't so great for her hand's range of motion, says SNF resident blogger Kathleen Mears. Read More »