Assisted Living Sitemap - Page 2
Design for Aging – Aging in Place – Ageing in Place – Universal Design
Design for an aging population reaches far beyond the borders of a home. And that means great opportunity for architects, interior designers and contractors who want to embrace this space. In this article we look at trends, opportunities and great resources available to those special individuals who want to pursue an architectural, interior design or contractor career that makes a difference in people's lives.
Design for Aging – Aging in Place – Ageing in Place – Universal Design - HAIL Lab - Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation created the Healthy Aging and Independent Living (HAIL) Lab to support aging in place, helping seniors remain at home, healthy and independent. HAIL is housed in Charter House, a continuing care retirement community in Rochester, Minn.
Dietary and Food Services
A cornerstone of the experience for seniors in long term care is the dining experience. Honoring preferences while creating great experiences and contributing to quality care is paramount to a successful food services program.
Direct Care Worker Training - Some But Not All States Require More Training Than Federal Recommendations
A new PHI analysis found that only 15 states require home health aides to have more training hours than are federally mandated, yet 30 states and the District of Columbia require certified nurse aides (CNAs) to have more training hours than the federal requirements
Disaster Planning – Emergency Preparedness – Heathcare Disaster Planning – Hospital Disaster Planning
There is no shortage of disasters sweeping the world. And in some cases, no amount of preparation can spare you from bad consequences. But having a disaster plan in place for your facility can minimize those consequences. Start with a plan and then practice, practice, practice.
Disclosing Medical Errors Good for Your Brand and Bottom Line
A study published in the journal Medical Care found when healthcare providers tell patients about medical errors, the patient is twice as likely to recommend that provider.
Disco and Dancing Boost Morale
Chicago-based NuCare Management -- which operates about 15 long-term care facilities in Illinois and Arizona -- hatched a plan to choreograph and film a video set to the Gloria Gaynor classic
Do You Have a Safety Net for Your Residents? Escrow Accounts Being Sought in Certain States
New Jerseys state Legislature recently passed a measure that would set up escrow accounts to protect assisted living residents in the event of a facility shutdown.
Does Race Impact Care? You Tell Me.
A recent New Old Age column in the New York Times covered how race complicates care in long-term care. Does it?
Don't Look for Healthcare Reform to be Repealed
Healthcare reform is on the right track. Whether or not repealed there are features that the country needs.
Dont Stand By Silently as the Healthcare Rhetoric Flies
Repealing healthcare is not the best idea. There are ideas worth pursuing no matter what happens.
ECRI Institute Provides Great Guidepost for Social Media Use
ECRI Institute has developed a great white paper around the use of social media by healthcare providers.
Economic Impact - Economic Impact Long-Term Care - Economic Impact Nursing Homes - Economic Impact of Health Providers
A report by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) shows that the nation’s nearly 16,000 nursing homes provide $153.8 billion of direct economic impact to state economic activity (1.1%) and $371.9 billion of total impact (2.7%) to state economic activity. Clearly the economic impact of long-term care is large.
Employee Retention – Rewards and Recognition – Employee Recruitment – Retention Strategies
Direct care workers have hard jobs, are low paid, and nearly ever receive the rewards and recognition deserved. That is why employee retention is so hard to achieve in aging services. When a position is viewed as simply a job and not a career, it is easy to see why people leave for better paying jobs outside the industry. Employee retention in aging services is a big issue that will become even bigger as the population ages. Let’s look at some strategies to help retain the best workforce.
Employee Satisfaction – Employee Retention – Total Rewards – Employee Engagement – Voice of the Customer
Finding and keeping talented staff in the aging services industry is hard. Workforce satisfaction is more than wages and benefits. The intangibles of workforce satisfaction – respect and empowerment among others – are keys to retention and recruitment in the industry.
Establish Policies and Procedures for Your Home Care Business
An efficient home care business operates with policies and procedures in place for all aspects of the operation. You may be able to purchase these and in many cases they will be part of a franchise that you might buy.
Expanded List of Providers May Be Obligated to Refer Consumers to State Quality Agencies
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a new rule that would require an expanded class of providers and suppliers of Medicare
Extending Your Brand – Marketing Elder Care - Expanding and Marketing Your Product and Service Offerings
Brand extension is a marketing strategy used to leverage an organization's good name through related and complementary product and service offerings.
Facility Air Quality Subject of Free Webinar Series
The Air Quality Academy is a free and comprehensive resource to distribute information, solutions and practical guidance related to indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns. Air Quality Academy offers complimentary Webinars to promote practical solutions to IAQ concerns.
Federal Background Check Program Good Idea But Has Issues
Federal background checks for long term providers. It's a good idea but the program has unanswered questions.
Filing a Claim - Know the Acronyms and Definitions
You must understand Medicaid acronyms and Medicaid definitions before filing.
Filing a Claim with Medicaid
This article covers how to become a Medicaid provider and file a claim with Medicaid.
Filing a Medicaid Claim - Line 15 of the Universal Claim
Completing Line 15 of the Universal Medicaid Claim
Filing a Medicaid Claim - Line 17 of the Universal Claim
Completing Line 17 of the Universal Medicaid Claim
Filing a Medicaid Claim - Line 21 of the Universal Claim
Completing Line 21 of the Universal Medicaid Claim
Filing a Medicaid Claim - Line 24 of the Universal Claim
Completing Line 24 of the Universal Medicaid Claim
Finding Your Legislators – Meeting Your Legislators – Health Care Advocacy – Health Care Policy – How to Lobby
Being versed in the basics of advocacy and lobbying will often lead to your having to find and meet your legislators. So let's figure out how to find them and the proper way to go about meeting them.
Finding Your Legislators – Meeting Your Legislators – Health Care Advocacy – Health Care Policy – How to Lobby – Legislative Process
Anyone may draft a bill; however, only members of Congress can introduce legislation. The official legislative process begins when a bill or resolution is numbered, referred to a committee and printed by the Government Printing Office. Here is the process.
Finding Your Legislators – Meeting Your Legislators – Health Care Advocacy – Health Care Policy – How to Lobby – Legislative Process – Government Relations
There are many ways to build relationships with legislators. In this article, we guide to you to the many facets of government relations.
Finding Your Legislators – Meeting Your Legislators – Health Care Advocacy – Health Care Policy – How to Lobby – Legislative Process – Government Relations
Politics is always a hot topic and no more so than in the healthcare arena. Being versed in health care advocacy and the basics of advocacy and lobbying are good skills to acquire and can be good for your business. Contacting legislators, working with the media, tracking legislation are important to learn if you want your voice to be heard.
Finding Your Legislators – Meeting Your Legislators – Health Care Advocacy – Health Care Policy – How to Lobby – Nursing Home Tour–Town Hall Meetings
Each member of Congress has staff to assist him/her during a term in office. To be most effective in communicating with Congress, it is helpful to know the titles and principal functions of key staff.
Finding Your Legislators – Meeting Your Legislators – Health Care Advocacy – Health Care Policy – How to Lobby – Nursing Home Tour– Town Hall Meetings
Part of your advocacy efforts with elected representatives may include inviting them to your “home” for a tour. The nursing home and assisted living tour is a great way for a representative to see first-hand the care that is delivered to their constituents.
Finding Your Legislators – Meeting Your Legislators – Health Care Advocacy – Health Care Policy – How to Lobby – Public Testimony – Testifying Before Congress – Town Hall Meetings
As part of your public advocacy issues, a town hall meeting can be an important part of your arsenal. Scheduled around timely issues and hot media issues, a town hall meeting can help elevate a cause and cause it to go viral.
Finding Your Legislators – Meeting Your Legislators – Health Care Advocacy – Health Care Policy – How to Lobby – Write My Representative
A first step in opening a dialogue with elected representatives can be simply writing them.
Finding Your Legislators – Meeting Your Legislators – Health Care Advocacy – Health Care Policy – How to Lobby – Write My Representative – Public Testimony – Testifying Before Congress
Giving public testimony can move your healthcare agenda forward by leaps and bounds. Putting a face to an issue can contribute to your own personal brand and propel your organization to a leadership position on issues.
Florida Follows New York in Medicaid Overall
Florida officials have applied to the federal government to transition the states Medicaid program to managed care.
Florida Setting a New Bar with Medicaid
Florida now wants to charge most of its Medicaid recipients a monthly $10 premium as well as $100 for using the ER for routine care.
Flu Vaccinations on Rise for Long-Term Workers
Vaccine rates for long-term care professionals increased this year. Long-term workers had an influenza vaccine compliance rate of 64.4% during last year's flu season, compared with a 71.1% compliance rate among hospital workers
Flu Video Helpful for Providers and Consumers
Flu video will be helpful to providers and consumers.
Flu and the Elderly – Flu Risk – Nursing Home Flu – High Risk Groups for Flu
The flu is a nasty bugger. The elderly in particular are a high risk group for the flu. The beehive of activity around your business lends itself to the spread of germs and viruses.
Flu and the Elderly – Flu Risk – Nursing Home Flu – High Risk Groups for Flu
Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. The flu comes on suddenly. It is important to know what to look for in residents/clients, staff and yourself!
For-Profit Nursing Homes - Yet Another Study Suggests Poorer Quality than Counterparts
Yet another study by the University of California at San Francisco research team led by Charlene Harrington, RN, Ph.D., and backed by the Service Employees International Union, suggests that lower levels of nursing staff in large for-profit nursing home chains have resulted in substantially lower quality of care when compared to government-owned or non-profit nursing homes.
Former Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Files Lawsuit
Former Florida long-term care watchdog has filed a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, the Florida Health Care Association and the Florida Assisted Living Association for alleged
Gallup Poll Looks at Caregiving
A new Gallup poll delves into caregiving and the profiles of the people providing it. Because many of these same people are your friends and neighbors, it is worth noting the results. And since aging services providers offer solutions that can ease a caregivers burden, it is worth reviewing just for the marketing insights you might glean.
Geriatric Care Manager – Geriatric Care – Elder Care Manager – Geriatric Nursing – Caregiving – Senior Care Management
As caregivers and families cope with the overwhelming stress of caring for a loved one, a new profession, that of the Geriatric Care Manager is cropping up. A Geriatric Care Manager can help families who are caring for older relatives.
Get Listed with MySeniorCare
MySeniorCare supports families and their aging loved ones as they search for information, resources and providers of senior care. Get listed in their directory.
Getting Buy With Less Providers Have to Tighten in Order to Survive
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued their a final rule that would reduce Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities by $3.87 billion for fiscal year 2012.
Glossary of Medicaid Terms
A Glossary of Medicaid Terms
Guilty Until Proven Innocent? Reporting Facility Deaths to the Coroner
In Kentucky a legislator is proposing that deaths at long-term care facilities be reported to the county coroner. Law enforcement needs to become educated on recognizing abuse.
Hand Hygiene in Nursing Homes – Infection Control – Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Staff
Hand hygiene and good infection control practices in nursing homes and other care settings can go a long way in helping contain germs and disease.
Health Advocacy - Operating a Long Term Care Facility - Aging in Place - Health care data - health care workforce - health care quality
Whether you run a non-medical home care company or a sophisticated skilled nursing facility, aging services is a business. And with a silver tsunami approaching and health care in the process of reforming, you need tools that can help you attract and retain customers and employees while maximizing your revenue. Advocacy, facility operations, aging-in-place, research and data, workforce issues and quality improvement are some of the issues covered.
Health Care Food Services – Nursing Home Food – Hospital Food – Healthcare Food Services Careers – Person-Centered Care
Food services in long-term care has come a long way, both in quality and taste as well as service and choice. Resident-centered food service is an essential part of the culture change movement in long-term care homes. Simple things to you and I like eating when you want, what you want and where you want have been, up until recently, something foreign to long-term care.
Health Care Workers and the Flu – Nursing Home Flu Precautions – High Risk Groups for Flu – Preventing Flu Epidemic
There is no worse place to introduce a flu epidemic than in a health care setting. And nursing homes and the flu could be a deadly combination. Here are things to keep in mind for preventing and/or containing the spread of flu in your facility.
Healthcare Opportunities – Healthcare Businesses – Healthcare Industry – Home Care Opportunities
The healthcare industry employs some highly educated occupations that often require many years of training beyond graduate school. However, most of the occupations in the healthcare industry require less than four years of college.
Healthcare Opportunities – Healthcare Businesses – Healthcare Industry – Home Care Opportunities
Of the 14.3 million jobs for wage and salary workers in healthcare, 40 percent were in hospitals; another 21 percent were in nursing and residential care facilities; and 16 percent were in offices of physicians.
Healthcare Opportunities – Healthcare Businesses – Healthcare Industry – Home Care Opportunities
Schedules and work conditions of healthcare employees.
Healthcare Opportunities – Healthcare Businesses – Healthcare Industry – Home Care Opportunities
A quick review of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the healthcare field is growing by leaps and bounds and along with it healthcare opportunities. This article explores the possibilities and potential of this industry. For many this will help crystallize decisions about entering this field.
Healthcare Opportunities – Healthcare Businesses – Healthcare Industry – Home Care Opportunities
There are many healthcare segments from which to choose when looking to establish a business or seek employment.
Healthcare Opportunities – Healthcare Businesses – Healthcare Industry – Home Care Opportunities
Healthcare will generate 3.2 million new wage and salary jobs between 2008 and 2018. Ten of the twenty fastest growing occupations are related to healthcare. Wage and salary employment in the healthcare industry is projected to increase 22 percent through 2018.
Healthcare Quality Improvement – Healthcare Quality – Quality Heathcare – Patient Experience
Healthcare quality starts with people. And empowered people led by inspiring leaders are the key to quality improvement in aging services.
Healthcare Quality Improvement – Healthcare Quality – Quality Heathcare – Patient Experience
There has been a lot of talk in long-term care about culture change, person-centered care, person-centered living. Much like hospitals there has been a lot of lip service to changing experiences. Something as important as the experience we provide to residents and patients should not be left to chance. That is why you need a Chief Experience Officer.
Healthcare Quality Improvement – Healthcare Quality – Quality Heathcare – Patient Experience
Healthcare quality starts with people. And empowered people led by inspiring leaders are the key to quality improvement in aging services.
Healthcare Quality Improvement – Healthcare Quality – Quality Heathcare – Patient Experience
Culture change is a movement in healthcare to revolve the care around the resident based on their unique needs and interests. It has been hard to take hold because the business case for culture change has not always been articulated. Reluctant CEOs and CFOs who view this as fuzzy need to understand the return on investment. There is a mistaken notion that to achieve resident-centered care you have to tear down and rebuild your facility. What you have to do is tear down and rebuild your thinking.
Healthcare Research Could Hold Secrets for You
Scientific research is advancing medicine every day. Are you considering how you can start to incorporate the findings into your care? Gain a competitive advantage in the process.
Healthcare Technology
Technology moves at lighting speed and it is hard for any provider to keep on top of it all. Yet in the new age of healthcare reform, your reimbursement will be tied to technology. Look here for technology solutions and technology requirements across services in aging. From the very specific requirements of nursing homes to the in-home technologies that provide quality of life, this information will help businesses stay in compliance but also gain competitive advantage through technology.
Healthcare Workers – Healthcare Jobs – Healthcare Recruitment – Healthcare Careers
One of the fastest growing segments of the economy is healthcare so you would think it would be easy to recruit the best healthcare workers for aging services businesses. Recruiting qualified healthcare workers for aging services has proven hard. There are some systemic issues related to this. So you need to start at the 50,000 foot level to understand the causes so you can move beyond the symptoms.
Healthcare Workers – Healthcare Jobs – Healthcare Recruitment – Healthcare Careers
One of the fastest growing segments of the economy is healthcare and within that aging services. One of the problems facing the industry is that many people look at positions in the industry as jobs not careers. The industry is seeking to change that mentality. Here we will link you to important information about career positions and related training and certification. And we will help organizations with timely articles about recruitment, training, workforce satisfaction, rewards and recognitions and more.
Healthy Aging and Social Media Who Wants to Step Up?
Shape Up The Nation was founded in 2006. Patients who were most successful used their social network to create an environment that supported their efforts.
Healthy People 2010 Do You Know How It Affects Elders?
Healthy People 2010 was developed through a broad consultation process. Growing from this is Healthy People 2020
Help Caregivers and Help Yourself Federal Funding FY 2011 Could Cut Vital Programs
There are two ways that the federal government can fund itself for the rest of the fiscal year (FY 2011). Let your voice be heard.
High Risk Groups for Flu – Who is at Risk for the Flu – Elderly and Flu
It is no surprise that nursing home residents, assisted living residents, home health clients and others served by aging services are in the high risk groups for flu, encountering more severe affects of the flu strains.
Hire Home Care Staff
Hire the best caregivers available as your reputation depends on it. Spend time interviewing prospects and conduct background and reference checks even if not “technically” required.
Hiring and Staffing
Your staff defines the experience for customers. Therefore your very reputation and business viability hangs on your ability to hire and retain the best staff. Hiring, staffing, recruitment, and retention of staff are at the core of topics covered.
Hiring for an Unglamorous Job
Entrepreneur Magazine had an interesting post online recently about hiring people to fill crummy jobs. Now don't get me wrong, work in the aging services arena is a very fulfilling career. But it can be crummy - literally. Having watched a CNA work with my 89-year-old impacted mother I know. And believe me I am grateful for the job done. Yet encouraging people to pursue a career in aging much less a strenuous job at that is hard. And as the article points out -
Home Care Anti-Fraud Rules Starting to Be Enforced
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is enforcing a rule that home health agencies and hospices must certify that their patients are eligible to receive their services as part of an in-person encounter with a physician.
Home Care is a Rewarding Business
In conclusion, home care can be a fulfilling calling. But make no mistake it is a business so operate it as one. Use your heart when it comes to the care of those elders whose families have entrusted their care to you.
Home Health Care - Home Health - Aging in Place - Home Health Services - Home Health Nursing - Home Health Jobs - Home Health Certification
According to the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, home care began in the US in the 1880’s. Approximately 12 million individuals currently receive care from more than 33,000 providers. In 2009, annual expenditures for home health care were projected to be $72.2 billion. With a continued emphasis on aging in place, home care will continue to have its place in the aging continuum but it is not without its challenges.
Home Health Care - Home Health - Aging in Place - Home Health Services - Home Health Nursing - Home Health Jobs - Home Health Certification
According to the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, home care began in the US in the 1880’s. Approximately 12 million individuals currently receive care from more than 33,000 providers. In 2009, annual expenditures for home health care were projected to be $72.2 billion. With a continued emphasis on aging in place, home care will continue to have its place in the aging continuum but it is not without its challenges.
Home Health Care - Home Health - Aging in Place - Home Health Services - Home Health Nursing - Home Health Jobs - Home Health Certification - Home Health Satisfaction - Home Health CAHPS
The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Home Health Care Survey is designed to measure the experiences of people receiving home health care from Medicare-certified home health care agencies.
Home Health Care - Home Health - Aging in Place - Home Health Services - Home Health Nursing - Home Health Jobs - Home Health Certification - Home Health Satisfaction - Home Health CAHPS
The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Home Health Care Survey, also referred to as the
Home Health Care - Home Health - Aging in Place - Home Health Services - Home Health Nursing - Home Health Jobs - Home Health Certification - Home Health Satisfaction - Home Health CAHPS - Administering Home Health CAHPS
The effective administration of the home health CAHPS survey is essential to assuring reliable results that can help you improve care. Most home health care patients served by Medicare-certified home health agencies (HHAs) are eligible to be included in the Home Health Care CAHPS (HHCAHPS) Survey.
Home Health Care - Home Health - Aging in Place - Home Health Services - Home Health Nursing - Home Health Jobs - Home Health Certification - Home Health Satisfaction - Home Health CAHPS - Home Health CAHPS Web Reporting
The Home Health Care CAHPS (HHCAHPS) Survey Data Center generates a number of reports to indicate the status of data submissions and the quality of the data submitted.
Home Health Care - Home Health - Aging in Place - Home Health Services - Home Health Nursing - Home Health Jobs - Home Health Certification - Home Health Satisfaction - Home Health CAHPS - Introduction to Home Health Satisfaction
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has partnered with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to develop surveys measuring patient perspectives of care in home health. Here is the top-level information you need to know for success in acquiring and acting on meaningful data.
Home Health Care - Home Health - Aging in Place - Home Health Services - Home Health Nursing - Home Health Jobs - Home Health Certification - Home Health Satisfaction - Home Health CAHPS - Introduction to Home Health Satisfaction Measurement - Home Health Survey Participation Requirements
The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Home Health Care Survey, also referred to as the
Home Health Care - Home Health - Aging in Place - Home Health Services - Home Health Nursing - Home Health Jobs - Home Health Certification - Home Health Satisfaction - Home Health CAHPS - Processing Home Health CAHPS Data
The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Home Health Care Survey is designed to help providers measure client/patient satisfaction. This article looks at the requirements and guidelines for creating and assigning a unique sample identification (SID) number, decision rules related to processing returned mail survey questionnaires, assignment of survey disposition codes, and quality control measures.
Home Health Care - Home Health - Aging in Place - Home Health Services - Home Health Nursing - Home Health Jobs - Home Health Certification - Home Health Satisfaction - Home Health CAHPS - Public Reporting Home Health Satisfaction
The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Home Health Care Survey, also referred to as the
Home Health Under Increase Scrutiny; OIG Says Industry Non-Compliant in Assessments and Reporting
A recent report by the Office of Inspector General evaluated OASIS data submission from 2009 and the extent to which CMS oversaw the accuracy and completeness of OASIS data that HHAs submitted. The also evaluated whether the 2-percent payment reduction for HHAs was enforced and compared claims from 2009 against OASIS data submission.
Homebound Seniors More Likely to Get Alzheimers - What's Your Role?
New research shows housebound seniors are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as more active individuals
Hospice Care
Each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our loved ones will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so. That is the belief of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and is reflected in the work that hospice providers do around the country. Yet hospice is very misunderstood.
Hospice Guide for Consumers Also a Guide for Your Competitive Positioning
Caring Connections, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), has created several new resources, including a worksheet that individuals and family caregivers can use to decide which hospice to choose.
Hospice Hocus Pocus - the For-Profit / Not-for-Profit Dilemma
Is hospice care better when for-profits or not-for-profits provide it? Are for-profits benefiting from lower acuity patients with higher lengths of stay?
Hospice Payments Continue to be Targeted
A federal audit has found that Medicare spending on nursing home hospice patients increased by 69% over four years. Regulators are recommending a reduction in payment levels for nursing home-based hospice patients.
Hospice Reimbursements Threatened - Tell Your Story
A federal court recently ruled against a Medicare regulation that caps reimbursements to hospice care providers. The decision in Oklahoma is the latest in a
Hospice Under Fire from Whistle Blower Suit
A whistleblower suits alleges that a hospice company improperly cycled patients through nursing homes and hospice with a goal of making as much profit as possible from Medicare.
How About We Let This Speak For Itself?
Matilda the 94 year old dancer should inspire us all.
INTERACT Tools Can Reduce Readmissions from Nursing Homes
According to a report published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, nursing homes that diligently employed INTERACT tools (Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers), reduced the hospitalization rates of their residents by 24 percent.
Important Survey for Your Clients that Will Benefit You Too
The National Alliance for Caregiving is conducting a survey on technology and its impact on family caregivers.
Incorporating Your Home Care Business
How you incorporate your business is important because that initial decision will affect all aspects of business operations later. So choose carefully and consult with an attorney.
Increase in Mentaly Ill Seniors Likely
U.S. healthcare providers need to prepare for a big increase in the number of elderly people with dementia and other mental illnesses.
Industry Has a Change of Mind in Challenging Employee Mandate
The American Health Care Association (AHCA) and Leading Age said they would not seek a waiver for its members on mandated employee health insurance under a provision of the Affordable Care Act. And not a moment too soon because shortly after their announcement a federal appeals court in Ohio upheld that the individual mandate provision in the law is constitutional.
Injury Rates Among Nursing Home Workers Alarmingly High
According to Labor Department statistics, nursing home workers are accidentally injured on the job at a higher rate than workers in other sectors, including construction, manufacturing and mining.
Institute for Person Centered Living Announced
The Consumer Consortium for Advancing Person-Centered Living (CCAL), and Sheryl Zimmerman, PhD, Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have announced the formation of the national Institute for Person-Centered Living (IPCL). The Institute is an independent, nonprofit joint academic/consumer venture dedicated to advancing the philosophy and practices of person-centeredness across home and community-based (HCB) long-term services and supports.
Introduction to the Home Care Business
With an increased desire to “age in place”, more and more services are being delivered straight to the home. One of the fastest growing businesses is non-medical home care.
Iowa Eliminates 10 Nursing Home Inspector Positions
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) recently cut 10 of the states 38 nursing home inspectors. The surveyor group monitors 442 nursing homes and 30,000 residents.
Is It Always on the Leader?
Leadership as expressed through employee engagement affects quality of care in long term care. But employees play a role too.
Issues Update - RUG-IV Remains in Place
Medicares RUG-IV system that began in October will remain in place, thanks to a $19.2 billion package passed today in the House of Representatives.
Joint Commission Awards First Disease-Specific Certifications to Nursing Homes
Claremont Rehabilitation and Living Center in Buffalo Grove, Illinois and Forest Villa Nursing Care in Niles, Illinois, became the first nursing homes in the country to be certified under The Joint Commission's Disease-Specific Care Certification Program. This is significant because this elevates the playing field in terms of proving quality and makes these homes attractive ACO partners for hospitals.
Key to Patient / Resident Experience Management is Culture Fit
Patient and resident experiences happen when employees are aligned with the mission, vision and values of the organization.
Know Your Type of Business in Order to Know How to File
In order to be reimbursed correctly you must file under the correct provider type.
Leading Age Culture Sessions Add Some New Wrinkles
The Monday sessions on culture change at Leading Age on October 17 shed some new insights on to the topic while still leaving questions unanswered.
Leading Age Offers PEAK Leadership Summit
Leading Age has introduced a new conference for senior executives.
Leading Age Phone Call Urges Action Against Proposed Medicare/Medicaid Cuts
In a phone call yesterday, long-term care industry association Leading Age reviewed with more than 600 attendees the drastic cuts being proposed in Medicare and Medicaid and what they could do about it.
Long-Distance Caregiving – Visiting the Elderly – Elderly Abuse and Self-Neglect
Caregiving at a distance can be difficult, stressful and time-consuming. And often the only time caregivers see the loved one is on a family visit, more than not tied around a holiday. Helping your local caregivers by providing tips for visiting long-distance elders is not only a good thing to do but reflects on your company as well.
Long-Term Care Real Estate Outlook Good for Some Not for All
Long-Term Care Real Estate Outlook Good for Some Not for All
Long-term Care Insurance Companies Paid $10.8 million in Daily Claim Benefits in 2010
According to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, the nations leading long-term care insurers paid $10.8 million in daily claim benefits in 2010.
Lotsa Helping Hands - a Service Your Community Could Embrace
Lotsa Helping Hands wascreated to support family caregivers by empowering their family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and church or synagogue members to help.
Low Income Housing New Fed Focus
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a grant for private, nonprofit owners of eligible developments to convert some or all of the dwelling units in the project into an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) or Service-Enriched Housing (SEH) for elderly residents aging in place. And the LeadingAge Center for Applied Research has received a $698,000 grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to assess the effectiveness of affordable housing settings for meeting the long-term care needs of low-income older adults.
MDS 3.0 - Nursing Home Quality - What is MDS 3.0 - RUGS IV - Falls - Preventing Falls
Falls are a leading cause of injury, morbidity, and mortality in older adults. While MDS 3.0 guidelines looks to help providers minimize fall risks, there are apparent fall reduction mechanisms, like alarms, that actually contribute to falls as opposed to preventing them. In this article, we look at how to reduce alarms and therefore falls in facilities.
MDS 3.0 Completion Up, Job Satisfaction Down
According to a survey by the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordination, overall job satisfaction has dropped among long-term care workers and that may be partly due to the fact that assessments are taking longer to complete than MDS 2.0 did.
MDS 3.0 What You Need to Know - Nursing Home Quality - What is MDS 3.0 - RUGS IV
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is committed to reducing unnecessary physical restraint in nursing homes and ensuring that residents are free of physical restraints unless deemed necessary and appropriate as permitted by regulation. Proper interpretation of the physical restraint definition is necessary to understand if nursing homes are accurately assessing devices as physical restraints and meeting the federal requirement for restraint use.
MDS 3.0 What You Need to Know - Nursing Home Quality - What is MDS 3.0 - RUGS IV
Mood distress is a serious condition that is under-diagnosed and undertreated in nursing homes and can lead to death. MDS 3.0 seeks to reduce the morbidity caused by mood disorders.
MDS 3.0 What You Need to Know - Nursing Home Quality - What is MDS 3.0 - RUGS IV
Falls are a leading cause of injury, morbidity, and mortality in older adults. MDS 3.0 guidelines looks to help providers minimize fall risk while treating fall injuries with the goal of achieving the best quality of life for residents.
MDS 3.0 What You Need to Know - Nursing Home Quality - What is MDS 3.0 - RUGS IV
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) tool for care management in nursing homes is called the Minimum Data Set (MDS), a core set of screening and assessment elements that is part of a Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI). The RAI provides a comprehensive and standardized assessment of each long-term care facility resident's functional capabilities and helps staff to identify health problems. MDS 3.0 was introduced in the fall of 2010. This article provides an overview.
MDS 3.0 What You Need to Know - Nursing Home Quality - What is MDS 3.0 - RUGS IV
Pain can cause suffering for nursing home residents and can result in inactivity, social withdrawal, depression, and functional decline. That is why effective pain management is so important in improving the quality of life for residents. MDS 3.0 regulations around pain management seek to assess the presence of pain, pain frequency, effect on function, intensity, management and control.
MDS 3.0 What You Need to Know - Nursing Home Quality - What is MDS 3.0 - RUGS IV
The ability to swallow safely can be affected by many disease processes and functional decline. Losing the ability to swallow can result in choking and aspiration, which can increase the resident’s risk for malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia. Adequate nutrition and hydration is essential to a quality of life for seniors. The MDS 3.0 guidelines on Swallowing and Nutritional Status can provide a blueprint for care.
MDS 3.0 What You Need to Know - Nursing Home Quality - What is MDS 3.0 - RUGS IV
Skin conditions, such as pressure ulcers, are a big concern in both nursing and assisted living facilities. MDS 3.0 updates protocols for pressure ulcers, wounds, or lesions so that facilities can recognize and evaluate each resident’s risk factors and identify and evaluate all areas at risk of constant pressure.
MDS 3.0 What You Need to Know - Nursing Home Quality - What is MDS 3.0 - RUGS IV
The level of cognitive ability among nursing home residents helps determine a proper care plan and therefore contributes to their quality of care and quality of life. In the past understanding cognitive patterns was done by simply observing residents and making notes of what was observed. Much has changed under MDS 3.0.
MDS 3.0 What You Need to Know - Nursing Home Quality - What is MDS 3.0 - RUGS IV
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) tool for facilitating care management in nursing homes is called the Minimum Data Set (MDS), a core set of screening and assessment elements that is part of a Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI). The RAI provides a comprehensive and standardized assessment of each long-term care facility resident's functional capabilities and helps staff to identify health problems. In this series, we examine seven areas of care.
MDS 3.0 What You Need to Know - Nursing Home Quality - What is MDS 3.0 - RUGS IV
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) tool for care management in nursing homes is called the Minimum Data Set (MDS), a core set of screening and assessment elements that is part of a Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI). The RAI provides a comprehensive and standardized assessment of each long-term care facility resident's functional capabilities and helps staff to identify health problems. MDS 3.0 was introduced in the fall of 2010. This article provides an overview.
MRSA Guidelines Issued Worth Checking Out
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has released guidelines for the treatment of MRSA infections.
Make A Wish Programs For Your Residents and Clients
USA Today published an article a few months a go that looked at organizations that grant wishes to seniors.
Marketing Gimmick or Marketing Strategy - You Decide
CRL Senior Living Communities announced a new corporate partnership program that will allow companies to offer a family discount on long-term care as a benefit.
Marketing a Non-Medical Home Care Business
With your operations ready to go, it's time to acquire clients. Let's get started.
Marketing and Sales
No matter how good your business is it will not be successful if people do not know about it. Marketing and sales is crucial to your organization's success. This is your source for information to grow your business. All aspects of marketing and sales for businesses in the aging services sector from strategic marketing to tactical implementation can be found here.
Mary Robinson Stresses Need for Moral Leadership
Mary Robinson, the former first woman president of Ireland, addressed Leading Age attendees with a message about leadership.
Maya Angelou - The Rainbow in the Clouds
Maya Angelou asked the audience to be the rainbow in the clouds of others.
McKnight's Announces Tech Awards - Deadline 6/15
McKnight's Announces First-Ever Tech Awards
Media Relations – Public Relations – Public Affairs – Working with the Media
As you become more savvy with your advocacy efforts, your media relations program can be pivotal in telling your story. Media coverage will get the attention of legislators.
Medicaid Claims and Codes
This category contains information that will help you correctly file Medicaid claims with your state.
Medicaid Outlook Bleak
According to according to an annual study conducted by Eljay LLC, on behalf of the American Health Care Association, unprecedented state budget deficits will result in historically low Medicaid reimbursements to long-term care facilities.
Medicaid Pays Less Than Minimum Wage to Nursing Homes According to AHCA
The American Health Care Association (AHCA) released a report examining the shortfall between Medicaid costs and funding. Nursing homes receive on average $.91.
Medicaid Terms
A continuation of a glossary of medicaid terms usual for businesses interacting with these state programs.
Medical Errors – Disclosing Medical Errors – Medical Mistakes – Patient Safety
Medical and non-medical errors happen in aging services every day. How you disclose them is critical to your organization's reputation. You do disclose them don't you?!
Medical Tourism Expanding Overseas
Seattle-based Cascade Healthcare, a joint venture between investor Columbia Pacific Advisors and U.S. senior living provider Emeritus Corporation, has received approval from the Shanghai government to open the first foreign-owned, for-profit senior care facility in China.
Medicare Competitive Bidding Stirring Controversy
On January 1, 2011, Medicare started a new competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment and supplies in nine metropolitan regions.
Medicare Learning Network is Your Guide for All Things Medicare
The Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Guided Pathways to Medicare Resources is an invaluable navigation tool for getting around the world of Medicare.
Medicare Overpayments - 60 Days and 10 Years Ago
According to a new proposed regulation, healthcare providers must report self-identified Medicare over-payments within 60 days of noticing the incorrect payment or face monetary penalties.
Medicare Overpayments Has OIG Asking CMS for Immediate Action
Medicare Overpayments Has OIG Asking CMS for Immediate Action
Medicare Part D - Healthier Seniors, Fewer Hospital and LTC Admissions
Medicare's prescription-coverage program is helping seniors to live longer, healthier lives according to a new study.
Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor Program
The Medicare Recovery Audit contractor program has successfully recovered over $1 billion in over-payments to providers. And this process is now extended to Medicaid. Find out what you need to know about protecting yourself against and audit and preventing one from taking place at all.
Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor Program - Medicaid RAC - CMS - government regulation
Fraud and abuse in the federal payment system is coming under more and more scrutiny. Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) detect and correct past improper payments so that CMS and Carriers, Financial Intermediaries (FI) and Medicare Administrator Contractors (MAC) can prevent future improper payments. Medicare processes over 1.2 billion claims each year, submitted by more than 1 million health care providers such as hospitals, physicians, skilled nursing facilities, labs, ambulance companies, and durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers.
Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor Program - RAC - CMS - Medicaid RAC
Recovery Auditors under the Medicare Integrity Program identify underpayments and over-payments and recoup over-payments under the Medicare program associated with services for which payment is made under part A or B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act. By understanding the requirements of the auditors by the government, you can better understand how to prepare for and also avoid being audited.
Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor Program - medicare audit - medicaid RAC
Fraud and abuse in the federal payment system is coming under more and more scrutiny. Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) detect and correct past improper payments so that CMS and Carriers, Financial Intermediaries (FI) and Medicare Administrator Contractors (MAC) can prevent future improper payments
Medicare and Medicaid
Many businesses in aging services receive reimbursement from federal and state governments. In some cases it may be your only source of revenue. That is why it is important to know government regulations, quality standards and ratings and health care reform issues that impact your business.
Met Life Drops LTC Insurance More Trouble for the Industry
When MetLife drops long-term care insurance underwriting that spells trouble. Find out why and where the industry is heading.
Met Life Survey of Long-Term Care Costs - Things Keep Rising
The Met Life Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs published recently. Here are the highlights.
Minnesota LTC Employs Criminals?!
Minnesota has granted waivers for 15,000 people with criminal backgrounds seeking to work in the state's long-term care facilities.
Minnix Outlines Six Priorities
Larry Minnix, president and CEO of Leading Age, outlined six imperatives for the organization and its members during the opening session of Leading Age.
Minorities Entering Nursing Homes in Record Numbers
According to a new Brown University study suggests that elderly blacks, Hispanics, and Asians are gaining greater access to nursing home care. But the growing proportion of minorities in nursing homes is coming about partly because they do not have the same access to more desirable forms of care.
Money Follows the Person Moving Along
Forty-three states have received federal funding to help transfer Medicaid beneficiaries from nursing homes to their communities, a new analysis finds. As of August 2011, nearly 17,000 individuals have transitioned back to the community and another 5,700 transitions are currently in progress.
More Quality Reporting for LTCH and Hospice Providers
Hospices and long-term care hospitals will come under more scrutiny with new quality reporting requirements from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).
Mother's Day Not Always Happy for Many- New Smartphone App Under Development Can Help Caregivers
May and June are joyous occasions for most people. Sadly, Mother's Day and Father's Day can be also be sad and stressful to many. Especially caregivers.
Music Grants Available for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Communities
Well-Tuned: Music Players for Health Programs a collaborative program between the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function and Music & Memory has announced a grant program that homes may be interested in pursuing.
NCAL Focuses on Waiver Issue
Medicaid waivers to assisted living facilities are threatened.
NCOA Honors Fall Prevention Programs
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) awarded the Falls Free Falls Prevention Certificate of Appreciation to recipients who demonstrated significant impact in falls prevention in their state. Recipients were selected by their state Falls Prevention Coalition leadership. Three states were noted.
NFL Agrees to Pay Retiree Long-Term Care Insurance Premiums
NFL to pay retirees long-term care insurance premiums. Adds to the growing debate of how to finance long-term care and the disparity between have and have nots.
NJ Assisted Living Partnership Ups Quality Focus
The NJ Department of Health and Senior Services has joined with the Health Care Association of New Jersey (HCANJ) to enhance quality and consumer information about assisted living residences in New Jersey.
NLRB Proposes Rule to Shorten Unionization Time Period
The National Labor Relations Board proposed new rules that would shorten the lag time between a union petitioning for an election and holding a secret-ballot vote
NQF Endorses Palliative Care Measures
The National Quality Forum (NQF) Board of Directors has approved for endorsement 14 quality measures on aplliative nd end-of-life care. The measures address a wide range of care concerns, including pain management, psychosocial needs, care transitions, and experiences of care.
NY Medicaid Redesign Team Setting Model for Country
New York spends more than twice the national average on Medicaid and spending per enrollee is the second highest in the nation. It ranks 21st out of all states for overall health system quality and ranks last among all states for avoidable hospital use and costs. Clearly a state in trouble. In January, Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order creating the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) to uncover ways to save money and improve quality within the Medicaid program for the 2011-12 state budget.
National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners Staff Education Week Begins
The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) was formed in 2001 to promote standards of excellence in dementia and Alzheimers education.
National Influenza Vaccination Week - Are You Prepared for Flu Season?
National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a national observance that was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as fostering greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond.
Navigating Regulations
In addition to government and state bodies, businesses across the aging services sector are governed by different laws and regulations. Keep up to date on those laws and regulations here as well as how to plan and respond to them.
New Alzheimer's Guidelines Released
Three expert international work groups convened by the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) have issued the first new criteria and guidelines to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in 27 years.
New Information About Falls Can Help Your Clients
The American Geriatric Society (AGS) has issued practice guidelines for the prevention of falls among older persons. In related news, Texas A&M University reports that injuries from falls and other accidents among the aging can often be attributed to a decline in ability to mentally estimate and anticipate stepping and reaching distances.
New Research Focuses on Functioning in Later Life
The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) is a new resource for the scientific study of functioning in later life. NHATS will provide the basiNHATS is intended to guide efforts to reduce disability, maximize functioning, and enhance the quality of life of older Americans.
New Resolve in the New Year to Bridge Differences
As we enter a new year we need to adopt a new attitude toward cultural inclusion. The face of assisted and nursing facilities is changing but the industry is not changing to adapt to a diverse population.
New Study Provides Selling Points for Congregate Living
Recently published results of a six-month survey looking at satisfaction of seniors living in independent and assisted living communities.
Next Pioneer Network Webinar April 19 - Transitions of Care
The Pioneer Network's National Learning Collaborative Webinar Series on Using the MDS 3.0 as an Engine for High Quality Individualized Care continues next week with Part Six: Smooth Transitions in Care: Getting New Residents Off to a Good Start from Day One.
Nine Steps to Consistent Assignment
Consistent assignment results in more satisfied residents/clients and staff, less turnover and better quality of care. Here are nine steps to get you started.
Now Is the Perfect Time Says Parkinson
This blog reports on the first day of AHCA national convention events.
Now for Some Good Home Health News
Frank Lichtenberg, a business school professor at Columbia University estimates the U.S. saved up to $25 billion in hospital payroll costs in 2008 due to the growth of the home health sector. Steven Landers MD, MPH, a Cleveland Clinic physician, offered more good news in an October 2010 commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Nursing Home Activities – Activity Director – Activities for Seniors – Assisted Living Activities
The power of music and what it does to bring back memories is undeniable. In addition to enhancing quality of life, there are health benefits to an effective music program. It has been documented that seniors participating in music use fewer medications, fell less depressed, are less lonely, have higher morale and are more socially active. Let’s look at some of the science and the implication for activity directors.
Nursing Home Activities – Activity Director – Activities for Seniors – Assisted Living Activities
At the heart of any nursing or assisted living home is the activity program. It is an integral part of the cultural change movement and central to person-centered care. It is essential for resident quality of life.
Nursing Home Activities – Activity Director – Activities for Seniors – Assisted Living Activities
Residential living communities for seniors share more than an aging population. Each has a unique responsibility to provide for the mental well being of their residents. The activities program is one way to provide for that well being and the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist is a unique individual specially-trained to administer an effective activities program.
Nursing Home Activities – Activity Director – Activities for Seniors – Assisted Living Activities
Art projects for seniors can enhance their quality of life while helping them learn a new skill. One innovative program brings a professional artist and all the needed supplies to help residents of all skill levels, beginners to professionals, and all cognitive levels, independent through dementia, express their talents.
Nursing Home Activities – Activity Director – Activities for Seniors – Assisted Living Activities
Using science for seniors as part of your activities program can help stimulate the brain and contribute to resident quality of life. A one-hour hands-on program called Science for Seniors, created by the author has four parts: select a topic, present fun facts, watch a video on the subject and do a safe experiment with residents. Let's experiment.
Nursing Home Activities – Activity Director – Activities for Seniors – Assisted Living Activities
An individualized, well though out activities program is at the heart of a quality life for residents in nursing homes or assisted living residences. Activities is not just about bingo and watching television. In fact, activity programs can be quite creative and stimulating for the mind. And the health and well-being benefits of a good program are becoming more and more documented. In short, this stuff works.
Nursing Home Activities – Activity Director – Activities for Seniors – Assisted Living Activities - Activity Professional Certification
As more baby boomers enter retirement, more than ever there is a need for qualified activity directors. To this end, the National Certification Council of Activity Professionals (NCCAP) has put in place a new national exam designed to elevate the level of the profession and practitioner.
Nursing Home Activities – Activity Director – Activities for Seniors – Assisted Living Activities - Memory Care
Site, smell, sounds, touch all invoke memories and an effective activities program that incorporates memory care can really add to the quality of life of elders and others who we encounter in aging services across the continuum of care. Here's how to do it.
Nursing Home Activities – Activity Director – Activities for Seniors – Assisted Living Activities - Using Ceramics
Ceramics can be a fun activity for all ages. And particularly it can be used for the short-stay rehabilitation patient too. Let's look at how to get started with using ceramics in your activity program.
Nursing Home Activities – Activity Director – Activities for Seniors – Assisted Living Activities - becoming an activity professional
Do you enjoy working with the elderly? Do you like a job that requires flexibility, ongoing learning, organization, communication skills and openness to new experiences? Then a career as an activity professional may be for you!
Nursing Home Activities – Activity Director – End of Life – Music Therapy
Activity professionals in care facilities are often faced with assisting a resident, and with them their friends and families, through a final journey. Hearing is the last sense we lose as our bodies shut down. So therapeutic music is a very important program to offer residents.
Nursing Home Design – Assisted Living Design – Nursing Home Interior Design – Eden Alternative – Pioneer Network – Person Centered
While the desire for most people is to age in place, you don’t need to dig far to find the crippling health statistics that suggest people will need nursing homes and assisted living homes. Designing the home of the future with a focus on person-centered care will be crucial. Future residents will demand a different model.
Nursing Home Disclosure Rule Changes March 23
The Affordable Care Act as of March 23 will require long-term care administrators to submit written notification to residents 60 days prior to facility closure.
Nursing Home Environmental Services - Nursing Home Infection Control - Nursing Home Hiring - Nursing Home Housekeeping - Healthcare Housekeeping
Environmental services in long-term care across all settings is more than just keeping a clean and safe environment. It is also about providing a home to residents. The greatest challenge a long-term care environmental services team faces is embracing the psychological and emotional toll residential care puts on the residents and their families.
Nursing Home Nonprofit Employment Shrinking
The Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies published the Non-Profit Economic Data Project that shows the U.S. nonprofit sector posting a 10 year record of job growth. However, nursing home nonprofit employment shrunk in favor of their for profit counterparts.
Nursing Home Quality – Assisted Living Quality – Person Centered Care – Culture Change in Healthcare – Nursing Home Culture Change
There are many quality initiatives being pursued in the aging services sector. Many overlap. Often you will see many of the same quality organizations in long-term care and aging services cooperating on these initiatives. Sometimes there are separate initiatives being pursued. Being versed in the healthcare players can jump start your education around quality and aging services.
Nursing Home Quality – Assisted Living Quality – Person Centered Care – Culture Change in Healthcare – Nursing Home Culture Change
There are many quality initiatives being pursued in the aging services sector. Many overlap. Often you will see many of the same quality organizations in long-term care and aging services cooperating on these initiatives. Sometimes there are separate initiatives being pursued. Being versed in the healthcare players can jump start your education around quality and aging services.
Nursing Home Staffing - Assisted Living Staffing - Consistent Assignment in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living
Consistent assignment, the idea that residents/clients see the same caregiver(s) all the time, results in more satisfied residents/clients and staff, less turnover and better quality of care. With better quality and better experiences, people talk. And word of mouth is your most potent marketing tool. Consistent staffing is the perfect formula for sustaining and growing your long-term care business.
Nursing Home Staffing Levels - Not All States Up to Par, Maybe Double Bogey
Charlene Harrington, Ph.D., R.N., professor emeritus at the department of social and behavioral sciences, University of California, San Francisco, has released an update of her report Nursing Home Staffing Standards in State Statutes and Regulations. According to the report, 14 states meet or exceed recommended minimum of 2.4 hours of care per day from direct-care staff.
Nursing Homes
Each care provider in aging services has its own set of regulations and standards. Find nursing-home specific information - MDS 3.0 for example - that can not otherwise be covered in the general categories for this site here.
Nursing Homes - Nursing Home Satisfaction - Nursing Home Quality - Nursing Home Workers - Nursing Home Residents - Caregivers
With so much emphasis on quality and satisfaction in healthcare, nursing homes have begun to measure their performance. My InnerView is a company that provides senior care leaders evidence-based management tools to better achieve their organization's goals. While this article is not an endorsement, it remains that My InnerView has a handle on industry effectiveness more so than any other entity. In this article we will look at their latest report on the industry, the National Survey of Consumer and Workforce Satisfaction in Nursing Homes.
Nursing Homes Need to Improve Communication
Laura M. Wagner, PhD, RN, GNP-BC, assistant professor of nursing at New York University College of Nursing says nursing homes need to improve communications processes and policies to make it easier for nurses to disclose errors.
Nursing Homes Seek Exemptions From Health Law
Most nursing homes do not provide health insurance to their employees and home care is right there with them. Starting in 2014, the law will require employers with 50 or more full-time employees to offer affordable coverage or risk paying a penalty. Against that backdrop, the industry is asking for more time to comply with the requirement to offer coverage.
Nursing Work Environment Improving But Some Things The Same a Decade Later
The American Nurses Association (ANA) recently published a report on workplace safety for nurses. Given their last report was ten years ago, it stood to reason that things should improve. And they did.
OSHA Stepping Up Inspections
Roughly 300 nursing homes can expect inspections by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA is targeting nursing and personal care homes with 20 or more employees that have a Days Away, Restricted or Transferred rate at or over 16 days.
Obesity, the Elderly and Medicaid Trim the Fat
Diet and exercise better than either alone for elders. Arizona proposes tax for obese on Medicaid.
Ombudsman Firing Justified? You Decide.
Floridas Long-term Care Ombudsman head, Brian Lee,was fired. Lee had recently asked Floridas nursing homes to submit detailed information regarding ownership.
Omnicare Introduces New Pharmacy Tech for LTC Providers
Omnicare, Inc. is piloting a new application for its OmniviewDr platform that allows prescribers, including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants to electronically transmit orders for controlled substance prescriptions as well as other medications in real-time directly to Omnicare pharmacies that service frail and elderly citizens.