How far does a “Do Not Resuscitate” order go? In Maryland, the state doesn’t think it goes far enough and replaces the DNR with a new, more comprehensive form. Read More »
Now that providing quality resident care has grown far beyond mere Activities of Daily Living, we asked Long-Term Living's readers to tell us about their communities' new care initiatives, including their clinical monitoring programs, infection control protocols and, of course, how they’re training their nurses and other caregivers to meet the new care quality levels demanded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read More »
Got tech? Many long-term care communities are already adopting electronic health records, but Long-Term Living’s readers told us their technology plans also include e-medication administration technology, wander management/safety systems and an increasing awareness of the business impacts of technology on delivering quality care. Read More »
Long-Term Living's readers told us about their communities' new rooms, revamped spaces and operational changes during the past year. New renovations and a shift in onsite services are at the fore, including a rapid adoption of in-house memory care services and the creation of dedicated spaces to host them. Read More »
A satisfying shower experience shouldn’t require a magician's touch on a shower wand to provide warm water and pressure, as Kathleen Mears explains in her weekly blog. Read More »
Twenty years ago, Long-Term Living blogger Kathleen Mears decided that because of her disability and need for additional care, it was time to consider long-term care. She shares her reason for choosing skilled nursing. Read More »
Population trends mean that the current model of family members serving as the primary caregivers for their elders may not work in the future, according to some policy advisers. Read More »
Are you over- or undercharging residents for living in your assisted living facility? Two industry experts offer advice oncapturing variable costs to achieve bottom-line objectives. Read More »
Wage trends, projected employment growth and training standards for nursing home, home health and personal health aides are among the pieces of information featured on an updated website from the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute. Read More »
Device improvements as well as changes in government incentives, nursing staffing levels and the size of the senior population will lead to greater adoption of telemedicine in long-term care, but reimbursement remains a challenge for now. Read More »
New research identifying nine risk factors for early-onset dementia ultimately could lead to treatments to prevent development of the condition. Read More »
Carol Collins and the other athletes who participated in the National Senior Games are inspiring. Unfortunately, they are in the minority of older Americans when it comes to exercising. How can we get others to be more like them? Read More »
There comes a time when deciding whether to remain at home becomes a needs-based decision. Kathy Mears tells about a couple trying to cope with not only disease, but disability issues. Read More »
Elder abuse can take many forms. A network talk show recently covered the subject in an effort to educate and inform the public of the need for vigilance and oversight. Read More »
Government, university and nonprofit organization representatives suggested ways to improve Medicare- and Medicaid-related long-term supportive services and private long-term care insurance at yesterday’s hearing of the federal Commission on Long-Term Care. Read More »
Some nonprofit organizations and a government agency are singing the praises of the Medicare and Medicaid programs as they observe the 48th anniversary of being signed into law. Read More »
LTC facilities know that the best census maintenance comes from a great relationship with the local referring hospital. But increasingly, the community win-win factor for LTC is in making the right friends, and in partnering with the right local service partners before your competition does Read More »
Live coverage from the National Senior Games: One retirement community opened its wellness center membership to area residents and helped a National Senior Games cyclist prepare for the 2013 competition. Such centers can offer health advantages to everyday seniors as well—and reap benefits for retirement communities in the process. Read More »
Seniors are deficient in receiving certain preventive services, and where they reside could affect the number of years they can expect to live in good health, according to recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More »
States are encountering increasing demands for non-Medicaid services, such as senior centers and transportation services, but they are not increasing funding for such services, according to a new report. Read More »
WomenCertified® honors the nation’s top nursing homes as scored based on CMS’s Five-Star rating system and the preferences and priorities of women. Read More »
The multidisciplinary approach to providing care with coordinated, goal-centered teams yields better outcomes for residents in long-term care facilities. Read More »
Visitors and regular volunteers make residents comfortable and give them a connection to the community outside of the facility. Kathy tells about her bond with a special volunteer. Read More »
As the Fair Labor Standards Act turns 75, a large segment of long-term care’s workforce is the subject of debate concerning minimum wage and overtime laws. Will federal efforts to provide minimum wage and overtime protection undermine a home health agency's core business? Read More »