Senior Services

In Maryland, a new treatment directive replaces standard DNR form

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 »

Trends in resident care services and infection control

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 »

Technology grows as a priority for LTC business

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 »

Owners upgrade senior housing spaces for new uses

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 »

Looking for a better shower experience

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 »

The present and future of long-term services and support

Newly released data summarize the present state of long-term services and support — and what the future holds. Read More »

Not enough ‘assist’ in assisted living for me

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 »

Need for institutional care may increase, AARP report says

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 »

Assisted living rate pricing: Impacts on margin

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 »

Direct-care occupation data featured on website

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 »

Remote patient-monitoring technology still faces reimbursement roadblock

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 »

Early-onset dementia: 9 risk factors identified

New research identifying nine risk factors for early-onset dementia ultimately could lead to treatments to prevent development of the condition. Read More »

A tiny woman conveys a big message about fitness

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 »

Uncertainty suggests a move

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 »

Eli Pick, LTL board member, dies at 58

The Long-Term Living community lost an advisory board member and friend last week. Read More »

TV show focuses on elder abuse

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 »

Supportive services, private insurance topics for long-term care commission

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 »

Medicare, Medicaid observe 48 years

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 »

The power of partnerships

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 »

Senior Games cyclist benefits from retirement community wellness center

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 missing vaccinations, preventive care; geography affecting healthy life expectancy

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 »

Safety ranks #1 on assisted living satisfaction survey

Seniors are feeling happy and secure in assisted living communities, a new poll shows. Read More »

A resident’s multiple facility moves

Transferring a resident from one facility to another can be a confusing, disheartening event, especially for an individual with dementia. Read More »

Non-Medicaid services funding not matching demand

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 »

2013 Women’s Choice Award of America’s Best Nursing Homes announced

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 »

Multidisciplinary approach to LTC gains traction

The multidisciplinary approach to providing care with coordinated, goal-centered teams yields better outcomes for residents in long-term care facilities. Read More »

A volunteer’s intercession

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 »

Home health next in line for CMS reimbursement cuts

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposes deep cuts to home health reimbursements, as well as new quality reporting measures. Read More »

Home care aides: Caught between the labor lines

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 »

Thousands dance, run and craft their way through ‘The Longest Day’ for Alzheimer’s awareness

Go-Karts for 16 hours? For some participants in ‘The Longest Day Alzheimer’s fund raiser, that was the marathon activity of choice. Read More »