Senior Services

My history with facility transportation

Being able to get away from the LTC community is a big treat for residents if the transportation available meets their individual needs, as Long-Term Living resident blogger Kathleen Mears explains. Read More »

AHCA/NCAL finds a new voice in Washington

In an exclusive interview with Long-Term Living's Washington reporter, AHCA/NCAL’s new vice president of government relations, Clif Porter, explains his strategy to contact members, discuss their experiences and concerns, using that direct input to generate support in Congress. Read More »

Remember: Resident is heart of person-centered care

Live from AHCA/NCAL: To be successful in your mission of person-centered care, you must include residents and their families in your care planning. It sounds obvious, but many facilities that think they are doing this are not. Here are some points to consider. Read More »

Exercise has physical, mental benefits—even in those over 90

Residents aged more than 90 years who are able to exercise—and do so—are likely to see physical and mental improvements, according to two new studies. Read More »

Public weighs in on long-term care funding options

A recent poll asking Americans for their opinions about the financing of long-term care revealed support of some ideas that surprised researchers. Read More »

Health insurance exchanges proceed despite shutdown, albeit with glitches

Federal and state government officials vow to fix website and call center issues as health insurance marketplaces receive overwhelming attention from consumers on the first days of operation. Read More »

Need a Ride?

For many long-term care facilities, one of the smartest business drivers is being willing to drive residents somewhere else. But adding transportation services means deciding whether to buy, lease or partner up for the right vehicles and personnel. Read More »

Scam artists using ACA to grab seniors’ personal info

Long ago, telephones were a communication/socialization device. With technologic advances, however, the once-friendly phone has become a conduit for criminals. Read More »

Federal government shuts down

Core Medicare and Medicaid operations will not be affected by a federal government shutdown that began today, but a broad range of other federal operations will be affected. The Affordable Care Act itself has largely been funded already and will not be directly affected. ACA-created health insurance exchanges also are live as scheduled. Read More »

Future is theme for International Day of Older Persons

An annual Oct. 1 observance is designed to draw attention to aging-related issues and those who are trying to address them. A new report released in conjunction with this year's observance looks at health status, societal programs and other issues related to the elderly around the world. Read More »

House, Senate spar over a delay to ACA; shutdown looms

After a weekend of squabbling over the federal budget, the Senate has rejected a proposal to delay the Affordable Care Act. With the budget crisis still unsolved in the 11th hour, what would a government shutdown mean for long-term care? Read More »

When a facility closes its doors, residents feel the pain

When a facility shuts its doors the business suffers, the community suffers and, ultimately, the residents caught in the middle are the ones who pay the price with the stress of relocation and the uncertainty of their futures. Read More »

Assisted living communities can foster good reputations through personal interactions

As the state of New York winds down its Assisted Living Month, an association executive relays tips to help communities everywhere provide optimal care and demonstrate their value to residents, prospective residents and their families. Read More »

5 LTC commissioners propose alternative LTSS solutions

One-third of the membership of the federal Commission on Long-Term Care say that recommendations issued by the commission Sept. 13 are not broad enough, so they have issued alternative suggestions. Meanwhile, organizations representing the long-term care industry react to the official commission report. Read More »

World Alzheimer Report calls for changes to care system

In the midst of World Alzheimer’s Month and a day before Alzheimer’s Action Day, the World Alzheimer Report 2013 has been released, containing seven recommendations to address the disease globally. Read More »

Preventing falls can be within your power

As Falls Prevention Awareness Day approaches, experts offer tips staff members can implement to improve resident safety as well as insights into how falls contribute to vision-related costs to the government, private insurers and individuals. Read More »

Direct-care workers win battle for minimum wage

Direct-care workers, previously exempt from national minimum wage and overtime laws, will now be considered the same as any other employee. Will the change in the compensation laws help or hinder the role of direct-care workers in the expanding field of home care? Read More »

Staffing, introspection can improve resident dignity: study

Administrators and healthcare professionals have roles to play when it comes to delivering person-centered care to nursing home residents, according to new research. Read More »

A challenge worth meeting—and eating

A recent competition among chefs promoted nutritious, tasty recipes for residents of one company’s post-acute and long-term care communities. What unique things are your senior living communities doing to promote senior health? Read More »

SAIDO Learning: ‘It’s remarkable’ [PODCAST]

"It is really remarkable to see." That's how one senior living community employee describes the 2013 Long-Term Living OPTIMA Award-winning SAIDO Learning program designed to reduce or reverse the effects of dementia. In this audio podcast, she details a typical session and explains how the program affects not only residents but also the volunteers who work with them. [4:05] Read More »

SAIDO Learning: Seeing is believing [PODCAST]

"If I didn't see it, I wouldn't believe it." That's how one senior living community staff member working with residents to improve their cognition describes the effects of the 2013 Long-Term Living OPTIMA Award-winning SAIDO Learning program. In this audio podcast, hear what else she has to say about why she got involved and how it changes not just residents but also the volunteers (called supporters in the program) who work with them. [5:55] Read More »

The elusive high five

Aug. 13 stands out in my mind not because of what I did but for what I wasn't able to do. Read More »

SAIDO Learning in action: A typical session [VIDEO]

Three videos illustrate the overarching principles of the SAIDO Learning technique to slow or reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Read More »

OPTIMA Award: The SAIDO clinical trial

A simple, easy-to-learn program that can minimize or even reverse the effects of cognitive decline from dementia? One senior services network put skepticism aside and agreed to serve as the sole U.S. clinical trial site. Seeing is believing, the organization says. Read More »

SAIDO Learning: A timeline

The journey to bring the SAIDO Learning approach to treating Alzheimer's disease and dementia from Japan to the United States began in 2010, nine years after the technique had been developed overseas. This timeline details the process. Read More »

Shingles vaccination at 60?

Today, drugstores, supermarkets, wholesale clubs and discount stores advertise their flu, pneumonia and shingles vaccines. But, as Long-Term Living resident blogger Kathy Mears reminds us, immunization can avoid or minimize contracting a very painful case of herpes zoster, otherwise known as shingles. Read More »

Commission on LTC tackles tough issues but can’t agree on financial support system

The federal Commission on Long-Term Care makes headway but agrees to disagree on how to handle the financial burden of nation's long-term services and supports used by millions each day to assist with daily living. Read More »

Research seeks ways to improve long-term care offerings in reformed healthcare system

An academic powerhouse and several senior living service providers are joining forces to try to find ways to increase the quality of long-term care while decreasing unnecessary healthcare spending. Read More »

Eye disease poses isolation danger in seniors

Increased isolation, decreased quality of life, mood changes and depression are associated with a particular eye disease in seniors, Johns Hopkins researchers have found. Read More »

Need LTC transport? Don’t dial 911

Moving LTC residents to the hospital or from one care site to another has some senior care communities picking up the phone--but not to dial 911. Read More »