Culture Change

Fla. governor reverses stance, now supports Medicaid expansion

Florida’s governor, once one of the loudest voices against “ObamaCare,” has done a policy about-face and now supports limited Medicaid expansion in the state. Read More »

UnitedHealthcare partners with largest U.S. retirement community

An unusual partnership between a Medicare insurance carrier and a fast-growing retirement community creates new business models for both. Read More »

Exploring evidence-based and green design in long-term care

The research and experiences of evidence-based design will continue to lead to innovations in creating senior living environments that enhance quality of life and quality of care. Read More »

CMS proposes lower Part D deductibles, slashed insurer payments for Medicare Advantage plans

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released its proposals for rate and payment changes for 2014. Seniors may be happy about the Part D drug changes, but insurers aren't as pleased with their end of deal. Read More »

Pope’s resignation puts spotlight on aging and ageism

The stunning news earlier this week that Pope Benedict XVI was stepping down as leader of the Catholic Church put all the complicated and often confounding issues surrounding aging in a global spotlight. Read More »

2013: The year of HIT cooperation across the care spectrum?

The long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) industry made some good inroads last year in terms of information technology and electronic records, but 2013 should be a hallmark year of cooperation, connectivity and shared mission among LTPAC providers, acute care providers and the vendor community. Read More »

National Federation of Nurses merges with teacher’s union

Rather than hooking up with other nursing groups, this nursing union is joining forces with another group of nurturers--the American Federation of Teachers. Read More »

Marketing strategies to reduce hospital readmissions

With the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' mandated penalties at issue, hospitals and long-term care organizations are strategizing ways to reduce readmissions. Local communication and partnerships can go a long way in cutting down on traffic through the emergency room's "revolving door." Read More »

GOP appoints first members to LTC commission

The new congressional commission on long-term care is slowly forming, as Republicans add two members to the bipartisan group. Read More »

Report: Location plays a role in readmission rates

Hospitals made little progress on hospital readmission rates between 2008 and 2010, and some regions have far more readmissions than the national average. Read More »

New healthcare design guidelines address long-term care

New codes, regulations and guidelines for the design of senior living facilities are being developed to support culture change and resident-centered care. Now is the time for long-term care providers to become involved in the development of these guidelines. Read More »

Calif. hospice files for Chapter 11, Scripps Health steps in

A San Diego hospice company files for bankruptcy protection amid federal investigations, while Scripps Health steps in to cover hospice needs in the region. Read More »

AL salary report shows investments in memory care, proactive wellness

The annual assisted living salary report is out: Find out which positions and regions pay the most—and which staff positions are garnering new attention this year. Read More »

CBO: 4 to 7 million workers may lose job-based health insurance

The Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday released dismal statistics on how many employers may stop offering health benefits because of the new employer-based health plan rules. Read More »

CBO lowers 10-year Medicare, Medicaid spending projections

The Congressional Budget Office lowered spending expectations for Medicare and Medicaid for 2013-2023, according to a report released Tuesday. Read More »

Snowbirds in Florida

In this blog, Pamela Tabar recounts her two-week visit with a group of septuagenarians, and how snowbirding seniors can teach us a lot about the high-tech, high-service expectations senior living organizations are going to have to meet--starting now. Read More »

How to reposition dated LTC assets

As the long-term care industry takes on more business in short-term rehabilitation and new expectations from the baby boomer generation, many facilities are finding themselves forced to renovate their buildings and their operations to keep up with the market changes.  Read More »

Share your LTC community’s award-worthy care program

It's OPTIMA Award season! Share your long-term care community's award-worthy resident-centered care program for a chance to garner Long-Term Living's prestigious honor and recognition by industry peers. Read More »

Namaste: Honoring the spirit within

Shelley Silverman King, RN, explains how a Massachusetts facility uses specially trained caregivers and a room full of sensory experiences—music, lighting, hand massage, aromatherapy and other stimuli—to reach its most isolated and lonely population: its residents with advanced dementia.  Read More »

CMS mandates greater disclosure on provider/manufacturer relationships

How much do you know about your GPO? CMS has instituted stricter disclosure rules pertaining to the financial relationships between providers and drug and device manufacturers. Read More »

No downside to upside risk

A new program designed for young adults with intellectual disabilities can help seniors overcome their challenges in positive, supportive long-term care environments. Read More »

Pew releases database of state Medicaid anti-fraud strategies

The Affordable Care Act requires states to have policies to combat fraud, but each state can choose how to do it. A new database shows what each state is doing to combat Medicaid fraud on their home turf. Read More »

Got checks? Feds mark 30-day countdown to paperless benefit payments

Anyone who receives any federal benefits—from Social Security to VA benefits—must switch to electronic payments by March 1. Read More »

CMS announces test sites for bundled payment program

Hundreds of provider sites are ready to test the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ four new models for restructuring the way episodes of care are paid for. Read More »

HHS translates healthcare insurance exchanges for clarity

State-based health insurance exchanges, already battered by state resistance and party-line politics, have one more hurdle to overcome. Read More »

Designing international aged care environments

Whether caring for seniors in the United States or in a village in the Pacific Rim, providing culture-specific environments and services is taking design in a new direction as seen in three international projects. Read More »

Casting a critical eye on our environments for aging

The long-term care industry has advanced dramatically in recent years when it comes to innovations in healthcare and living environments for our aging population. At St. John's on the Lake in Milwaukee, 20 LTC designers, architects and academics have gathered to judge 59 new senior housing projects. They are a tough and demanding group. Read More »

CMS doubles number of ACOs, releases new report on ACO impact

Another 106 provider organizations make the CMS list of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), bringing the number of covered beneficiaries to more than 4 million. Read More »

The Joint Commission issues revised rules for LTC accreditation

The Joint Commission has revised its skilled nursing and rehabilitation accreditation standards, and now offers specialty services facilities a new way to certify their expertise. Read More »

Why EHRs matter to LTC’s future

Hospitals have had electronic health records (EHRs) for years. Now it's long-term care's turn. Industry leaders weigh in on EHR technology and long-term/post-acute care's newly respected role in the patient-centered care continuum. Read More »