Culture Change

The Boston Marathon story the bombs couldn’t destroy

At this week's Boston Marathon, some victorious stories emerged despite the cruel bombing attacks. For Bill, it’s victory #46. Read More »

What we heard (and didn’t hear) at the EFA conference

The "culture city" of New Orleans served as the perfect venue for discussing culture change in elder-care building design at the 2013 Environments for Aging conference. Read More »

EFA 2013: Making space for hospice in the care continuum

Continuing care trends are increasingly involving hospice within the whole care campus, instead of tucking away the hospice in a stand-alone building in a proverbial corner of finality. Read More »

Obama budget will cut Medicare but boost Medicaid and mental health

President Obama's new budget, released by the White House Wednesday, includes plenty of cuts, but also contains a few surprising increases. Read More »

Living in communities with more than a bed and a view

Professionals change their thinking on long-term care to focus on creating communities that serve the human needs of an aging population. Read More »

One-on-one with…. Ruta Kadonoff

Senior Editor Pamela Tabar talks with Ruta Kadonoff, vice president of quality and regulatory affairs for the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), about quality in long-term care—and why being able to measure it will be important for business. Read More »

2% Medicare payment reductions begin today

The waiting is over. No resolution to the budget crisis means that sequestration begins—today. Long-term care facilities will feel the effects upfront, but a quieter casuality might be healthcare's information technology and data-sharing initiatives. Read More »

White House, Congress might consider combining Medicare Parts A and B

Sweeping changes may be on the horizon for the way Medicare billing is divided, as President Obama and Republicans put the idea of combining Medicare Parts A and B back on the discussion table, the New York Times reports today. Read More »

Puppy love can be risky for the elderly

Pets, especially pets trained to respond to the elderly, are welcome guests—and even permanent residents—at some nursing homes. However, research indicates that it might be better to leave pups at home. Read More »

Boomers and seniors primed for digitial marketing

Seniors get a bad rap when it comes to technology, but they’re America’s fast-growing dempgraphic is certain digital technologies. Have you "seniorized" your media marketing streams? Read More »

LTC and mental health services: Collaboration is a financial win-win

Long-term care providers and behavioral health services should go hand in hand in aging care, experts say. If your facility can’t provide or fund mental health services, partner for them—and everyone wins. Read More »

The impact of the aging population on acute care facilities

How is senior-centric care changing the way hospitals are designed? Anne DiNardo, senior editor of our sister-publication Healthcare Design, asks two design experts about the impacts of geriatric care on the rest of the care chain in this sneak-peek of what attendees will learn at our Environments for Aging conference next month. Read More »

Final 3 members appointed to LTC commission

President Obama adds the last three names to the Long Term Care Commission, completing the group's bipartisan membership. Read More »

Social services key to delivering senior healthcare at lower cost

Improving healthcare delivery for seniors might take greater investment in an often-ignored component: Social services. Read More »

What’s worth waiting for?

Standing in line with nothing to do is tedious and boring. Imagine how magnified that is for the elderly to spend their time—waiting. Read More »

My Hospice Notebook

Calling all hospices: Are you ready for a challenge? Today is the launch of my "Hospice Notebook." Gather your ideas, projects, initiatives and missions. My inbox is yours. Read More »

One-on-one with… Peter Reed

Peter Reed, PhD, CEO of Pioneer Network, spoke with Long-Term Living about the roots of culture change and today's campaign against ageism. How far has person-centered care come and what still needs to be done? Read More »

CMS: Penalties are working to reduce hospital readmissions

New data on hospital readmission shows that healthcare reform is making an impact--changing the rates for the first time in five years, says CMS. Read More »

Calif. plans 85% increase in LTC insurance rates for public employees

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the country's third-largest health benefits purchaser,  dropped a bombshell on its long-term care policyholders—switch LTC policies or deal with a massive rate increase. Read More »

N.J.’s Gov. Christie joins GOPs reconsidering Medicaid expansion

N.J.’s Gov. Chris Christie is the latest republican governor to change his mind about expanding the state Medicaid program. Read More »

C. Everett Koop dies at 96

Widely recognized by his bushy beard and somber uniform, former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop became a household name for his anti-smoking campaign. Read More »

Therapy caps: Unraveling the spider’s web for long-term care

How many of your residents are on track to exceed the $1,900 payment cap on physical or occupational therapies? We examine the current therapy cap situation, and why it's such a challenge for long-term and post-acute care. Read More »

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 »