Administration

Seniors’ use of medical marijuana in ALFs and SNFs

Massachusetts’ implementation of a “medical marijuana law,” and how it applies to assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facilities, is, of course, of special interest to providers in that state, but it may hold lessons for senior living communities elsewhere as well. Read More »

Seniors improving in key health measures: report

A new report reveals the health status of seniors as well as the states where the healthiest and least healthy older adults live. Read More »

Long-term care emergency preparedness

Have you shaken the dust off your emergency preparedness plan lately? The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has added some new requirements to what must be in an emergency operations plan and how employees must be trained. Read More »

Penalty paybacks: Funding projects for free

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is cracking down on unused money collected from civil money penalties. Long-Term Living legal expert Alan C. Horowitz explains how your facility can get its next worthy project paid for by the fund. Read More »

Obama announces OMB, HUD nominations

President Barack Obama has announced nominations for the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and one organization representing aging-services providers is commenting on the decisions. Read More »

The MDS coordinator should report to…?

The reimbursement and information generated by the MDS is integral to a facility's financial health, quality care and outcomes. MDS coordinators need to connect with middle and upper management. Read More »

Kelly, Giffords discuss resiliency of human spirit

At the Assisted Living Federation of America's annual conference, retired astronaut and Navy Captain Mark Kelly and his wife, retired Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, shared lessons learned through their work and her recovery from a shooting. Read More »

ALFA bestows awards

Dedication and innovation were recognized when the Assisted Living Federation of America bestowed awards on individuals and organizations at its annual conference. Read More »

Dementia training improves care delivery: speakers

Two speakers at the Assisted Living Federation of America annual conference discussed ideal components of dementia training programs and also reviewed initiatives implemented or under consideration in various states across the country. Read More »

How to serve those on Medicaid through assisted living

The state of the economy and the continuing aging of the population mean that interest in the "affordable assisted living" model–serving those receiving Medicaid assistance–is growing, according to speakers at the Assisted Living Federation of America annual conference. They shared tips for those interested in operating properties under this model. Read More »

Survey reveals senior living wishes of prospective residents

A new survey provides some insights into how Americans select senior living communities for themselves or their loved ones. Read More »

PointClickCare debuts technology platform for assisted living

PointClickCare introduced its platform to address the increasing acuity, staffing and risk mitigation needs of assisted living providers at the Assisted Living Federation of America annual conference. Read More »

Adaptive spoon cancels hand tremors

People with Parkinson’s disease or essential tremors have difficulty getting food from the plate to their mouth. New technology helps to restore dignity in dining. Read More »

One-on-one with…Shawn Bloom

In this exclusive Q&A, the National PACE Association's CEO Shawn Bloom talks about the organization and its growing popularity as a healthcare delivery model. Read More »

“State’s here!”

A state survey is an important facet of ensuring that residents receive quality care, yet it always creates a sense of dread for administrators and staff. Residents know instinctively when their home is being inspected. Read More »

Beyond Bingo: Activity director role evolves

The days of simply keeping residents occupied are over, and the focus has turned squarely on making sure that meaningful, person-centered activities contribute to a life worth living—and celebrating. As always, long-term care communities and their activity directors are rolling up their sleeves and taking the challenge to heart. Read More »

Senior housing development: Boom or bust for investors?

The senior demographic keeps growing, but is the senior housing market overbuilding and exceeding the demand? Read More »

Kindred targets Gentiva

Kindred Healthcare launches a hostile takeover bid for Gentiva Health Services. Read More »

Identifying hazards before an event occurs

OSHA safety compliance goes well beyond the National Emphasis Program on Long-Term Care. Are you watching for these other risks? Read More »

12 steps to QAPI: Step 6: Conduct a QAPI Awareness Campaign

Tips on various ways to communicate your facility's QAPI plan to all stakeholders--residents, staff and families. An awareness campaign helps to embed quality awareness into your nursing home's culture. Read More »

Home health providers, others charged with false billing

A six-city effort has resulted in charges against 90 people for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving what the government says is approximately $260 million in false billings. Read More »

Stroke? Think FAST

I thought all healthcare workers knew the signs and symptoms of stroke. I was wrong. But May, National Stroke Awareness Month, presents an ideal opportunity for long-term care facilities to offer education. Read More »

MatrixCare joins data exchange collaborative

A leading long-term care electronic health record company brings its LTC-focused documentation expertise to a national health data exchange forum. Read More »

Therapy cap insanity on Capitol Hill

Will Congress ever fix the therapy caps problem? Long-Term Living Washington writer Bob Gatty takes a fresh look at an ongoing problem. Read More »

A small house can mean a big difference, speakers say

A senior living provider and general contractor share what they have learned through the process of building of five small house neighborhoods and delivering person-centered skilled nursing care. See the photo gallery, too. Read More »

Studying residents—up close

Students can learn a lot about aging by walking (or riding) in a residents’ shoes. Conversations with seniors can open doors of understanding and communication. Read More »

Memory boxes? Forget about them

Long-term care communities are moving away from using memory boxes as cuing tools for residents, experts say. Thankfully, they add, less expensive and more effective options exist. Read More »

Leaders of Tomorrow: Amy Carpenter, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C

Congratulations to Amy Carpenter, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, our final Leaders of Tomorrow honoree! She's led the way to new building codes for senior living spaces, while keeping a keen eye on tomorrow's designs for memory care. Read More »

Project aims to clarify home health role for future

The Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation is launching research, a workshop and a symposium to explore the delivery of Medicare skilled home healthcare to a growing population of older adults. Read More »

Leaders of Tomorrow: Bernadette Ledesma, MPH, LNHA

Congratulations to Long-Term Living 2014 Leaders of Tomorrow honoree Bernadette Ledesma, MPH, LNHA. Administrator, advocate and educator she is instrumental in ensuring top-down quality care for Hawaii’s seniors. Read More »