Sharon A. Nazarchuk and Timothy Legg studied a pool of skilled nursing facilities to uncover discrepancies in survey data, including why skilled nursing facilities can fail to employ qualified activity directors yet still escape citations during the survey process. Read More »
October looms as a month of major change for the skilled nursing industry with the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program slated to launch next Monday. With hospitals facing stiff penalties for patient readmissions, SNFs are poised to play a key role in efforts to reduce readmissions with quality issues taking center stage. Read More »
Joining an organization with problems can “make or break” a new administrator or DON. This could be an opportunity to become a hero, not only to the organization but to the residents as well. Read More »
Since 1996, Long-Term Living has honored long-term care communities that are proactive with programs that go “above and beyond” routine care for their residents with our prestigious OPTIMA Award. It is conferred by a jury of LTC peers from submitted entries. This year’s winner is St. Leonard Franciscan Living Community of Centerville, Ohio. Congratulations! Read More »
To achieve the best results, pain management interventions should be customized for each individual. Krista Das, director of marketing and communications for AMDA–Dedicated to Long Term Care Medicine, discusses the myths and methods concerning the use of opiods in LTC pain management. Read More »
A facility’s infection control program should start from the bottom, the top and sides. Housekeeping and maintenance departments are key players in infection control. Read More »
Better interviewing leads to better short-lists, and ultimately to better new employees. Rebecca McNeil, educational content manager at HealthcareSource, a provider of healthcare HR software, shares some strategies for finding new employees that truly match the culture and quality of your facility. Read More »
A recent study indicates that today’s seniors have better vision than the elderly of a generation ago. Better vision promotes more independence in performing daily activities. Read More »
In this week's blog, John Derr, RPh, discusses the importance of harmony between clinical design and information technology. Successful implementation of transitions of care and longitudinal health records will require bringing both the clinical side and the technology side into the future together. Read More »
The new version of CMS' Nursing Home Compare website now includes data on readmission rates, nursing home inspections and antipsychotic drug use. Read More »
Pressure ulcers are painful and dangerous for residents and costly for facilities. Next year, PUs are going to cost facilities even more. Learn how to improve wound care intervention to protect your patients and manage risk. Read More »
Fire, flood, tornado, earthquake and tidal waves are just a few of the ways nature asserts itself to remind us of its power. Are you prepared to care and protect your residents if you get in Mother Nature’s way? The OIG doesn’t think so according to a recent study. Read More »
In the aftermath of last week’s 5-4 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA), long-term care providers are taking stock of the far-reaching ramifications for an industry in transition. Read More »
AANAC’s Judi Kulus provides a roadmap through the maze of recent MDS 3.0 updates and errata releases, while pointing out some potential pitfalls in handling resident interviews, assessments, file error correction and queries to CMS. Read More »
Owner/operator, management contractor or lessee, how you approach business risks depends upon what side of the coin you fall. Business risks (and strategies) differ depending on a facility’s business model. Read More »
A resident’s withdrawal from life’s opportunities does not have to be a permanent condition. How can you help a resident who is unhappy, has lost interest in life, or has become testy and difficult? Read More »
With approximately 2.5 million people dying each year, the need for quality palliative and hospice services is at an all-time high. There is an increased focus on palliative and hospice care by the public and private sectors to ensure that high-quality end-of-life care is available to our aging population. Read More »
The best-of-breed approach allows adoption of technology products from multiple vendors in order to gain the exact functionality and value that an organization requires. Best-of-breed products are not only powerful in capabilities, but can be more cost effective than the suite approach. Read More »
By the end of business today, LeadingAge members will have tallied upwards of 270 congressional meetings, with representatives of 43 states in a single afternoon. Their goal is to advocate for those issues that most directly impact their organizations, residents, clients and staff. Read More »
The government protects employees’ rights to engage in "concerted activity" for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection. You might be surprised how far-reaching these protections can be, even in long-term care settings. Read More »
SNFs are an area of focus for audits by Medicare contractors. The OIG list of potential problem areas has become known as the OIG “hit list.” In fact, expect an even higher level of attention this year than in the past. Read More »
LeadingAge Texas and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center partner to remove the undeserved stigmas attached to a career in geriatric nursing and empower young nurses to realize their role in elder care. Read More »
Isn't it curious how there's often a disconnect between those who design LTC communities and those who run them? It's critically important for these two groups to come together to create fully functioning spaces that better serve residents and staff. Read More »
As the Greatest Generation begins its curtain call, the Baby Boomers are waiting in the wings of the long-term care theater. Providers need to begin changing their settings now--There is no intermission. Read More »
LTC activities directors are challenged to accommodate the changing programming preferences of the incoming baby boomers. These demanding residents have high expectations. Read More »
The challenge to house the full spectrum of seniors from fully independent to skilled nursing can be a daunting task even for the most accomplished design team. Involving all professionals and stakeholders at the outset is part of the formula for success. Read More »
In the wake of the Great Recession, budgetary constraints dictate senior living design solutions. And while the household model gains acceptance, providers caution against "institutional creep." Read More »
Interest in senior living design has grown in recent years. With that in mind, we're introducing a new enewsletter and expanded print product, offering news, trends, products and a showcase for innovative design and remodel/renovation projects. Read More »
I believe those of us who have been around for years have an obligation to work with young professionals to ensure that our industry remains in good hands. What lasting mark will you leave on the young blood? Read More »
