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Flex bathing for all

Flex bathing for all By

Most long-term care nursing assistants would agree that giving residents baths or showers is one of the most difficult aspects of caregiving. It also can be tough on residents, particularly those with dementia — who may become combative during the bathing process — as well as those who are obese, inflexible or fragile, who might find the whole experience exhausting.

Clarifying designs

Clarifying designs By

The housing and care of Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients has been on a roll. The recent progression of designs and elements has led to improvements for residents and the staff who care for them.

Upon further review

Upon further review By

Providers recoiling from recent uptick in therapy claim audits should expect even more scrutiny in the future as regulators look to increase surveillance.

A game changer

A game changer By

With release of new HIPAA privacy and security rules, long-term care providers must evaluate their policies and procedures to better protect residents' data

The invisible battle

The invisible battle By

Providers must keep caregiving environments impeccably clean — removing bugs and germs (both seen and unseen) and other threatening elements

Wounds happen

Wounds happen By

Providers with proactive approaches to catching wound development early find the most success. Foresight and diligence are needed to make it all work

Upon further review

Upon further review By

Instead of spending more time doing hands-on patient care, therapists who work with Medicare beneficiaries have been strapped with increased administrative tasks, sometimes leading to delayed services, or worse.

Rapid (Rx) transit

Rapid (Rx) transit By

Time is a valuable and limited resource in long-term care. Caregivers often scramble to meet the varying needs of their residents and struggle to balance those duties against equally time-consuming regulatory requirements.

Resident Safety First in Senior Furnishings

Resident Safety First in Senior Furnishings By

Comfort, durability and safety are top priorities when it comes to choosing the furnishings for your long-term care facility. Resident feedback is also crucial.

Eyeing ACO horizons

Eyeing ACO horizons By

Providers must have the necessary data, analytics and IT infrastructure to meet a new, demanding role within cooperative care models

Rally the troops

Rally the troops By

Acquiring new information technology systems is one thing. Making them work well among facility staff is another; experts give recommendations.

Germs put on notice

Germs put on notice By

As the threat of infectious diseases continues to permeate the long-term care environment, facilities need to use the best tools and resources at their disposal.

Activities: Playing by numbers

Activities: Playing by numbers By

Activities such as Wii bowling are popular with residents in long-term care facilities, but getting a return on investment requires marketing and diligence

Wound care: Not open and shut

Wound care: Not open and shut By

Wound care treatment requires far more than a one-size-fits all approach. Here, front-line experts share some hard-won insights for optimal care

HUD leads in lending

HUD leads in lending By

With rock-bottom interest rates and lines out the door, public finance agencies are still underwriting scores of transactions in the skilled nursing sector.

Antipsyched-out?

Antipsyched-out? By

Amid the hubbub about alleged abuse and questionable deployment, experts remind that a multi-step approach can curb antipsychotic drug use

Record salaries for top-level positions

By

Incremental raises earned by many long-term care workers are being eroded by increases in their own healthcare costs and shrinking bonuses, according to the nation's largest annual survey of nursing homes.

Making a big splash

Making a big splash By

Proper planning, including staff deployment and material placement, boosts bath-time efficiencies, enabling staff members to get more done in a safe way.

'Do the right thing'

'Do the right thing' By

Experts say compliance programs need to start with a solid dose of conscience, followed by commitment, resources, diligence, communications and training

Beyond the 3 basics

Beyond the 3 basics By

Providers must realize that offering an activities menu of bingo, birthdays and Bible is an archaic practice, and clearly out of step with the modern resident

Pass the smell test

Pass the smell test By

Many providers risk rejection by underinvesting in laundry or housekeeping units, putting their reputations in peril and driving away potential residents.

In search of support

In search of support

Providers can use help navigating the terms and conditions of the pressure-relief surface market; here's what you need to know to enhance resident care.

The 'inn' crowd

The 'inn' crowd By

Themes are out, colors are in, as furnishings increasingly reflect boomers' demands for comfort, luxury and familiarity in settings that go beyond 'home-like'

'On the wagon'

'On the wagon' By

Skin care products have gained increasing importance in long-term care as providers search for ways to keep incontinent residents comfortable and prevent decubitus ulcers from forming.

Clean goes green

Clean goes green By

Eco-friendly infection control practices are catching on in long-term care. Their pursuit is beneficial for the environment and residents alike.

A growing challenge

A growing challenge By

Time has taught therapists much about helping bariatric patients. Special routines, equipment and care strategies have evolved to improve care.

LEEDing the way

LEEDing the way By

Operators who chose to pursue certification touting their devotion to environmentally friendly construction practices can reap big rewards.

Drawing a safe bath

Drawing a safe bath By

One of the most frequent caregiving tasks also can be one of the most dangerous, with providers needing to stay current on what can keep residents free from harm.

Genius for strokes

Genius for strokes By

At least one stream of long-term care residents hasn't abated; providers are finding blended therapies are boosting stroke rehab success.

Bridging the gaps

Bridging the gaps By

Information technology initiatives bolster long-term care providers' ability to trace and evaluate the quality of care they deliver to their residents.

Laundry lifeline

Laundry lifeline By

It's not easy work and not as glamorous as other positions, so finding and keeping quality staff carries that much more importance.

Running the track

Running the track By

Staying current on wound care tracking methods is essential for clinicians and other staff members working in today's long-term care clinical environment.

Talking up speech language pathology

Talking up speech language pathology By

Despite low profiles, speech professionals have assumed expanded roles and are making increasingly critical contributions to rehab regimens.

No pain = all gain

No pain = all gain By

When it comes to dispensing pain relief meds to residents, the old methods are no longer viewed as sufficient. Better medication management is key.

Designing transition

Designing transition By

Contemporary design elements are getting the go ahead by more providers, who are still also focused on the durability and performance of furnishings and décor.

Quality care at hand

Quality care at hand By

From tablets to smartphones, mobile technology is now an affordable way to spend more time with a resident while boosting efficiency for the caregiver.

Clearing the air

Clearing the air By

Indoor air can be 1,000 times more polluted than outdoor air in some facilities. Here's what providers should know about HVAC, water infiltration and renovations.

Meeting the IT needs ahead

Meeting the IT needs ahead By

Whether it's electronic medical records, billing software or mobile health, LTC operators must determine which systems are best for employees and business.

McKnight's Roundtable: Taking stock of a field at the crossroads

McKnight's Roundtable: Taking stock of a field at the crossroads By

A robust panel sizes up challenges and opportunities — and how best to meet them

The power of feedback

The power of feedback By

Operators have discovered that keeping residents and their families satisfied can help all facets of managing the business — including the bottom line.

Economies of scale

Economies of scale By

From medical supplies to food service and even golf carts, group purchasing organizations are opening doors for providers looking for discounts.

Game on for LTC

Game on for LTC By

Recreational options are flourishing as new technology, from Wii bowling to movies on demand to social media, lets residents choose the content they want.

License to succeed

License to succeed By

Finding and training compassionate, dedicated drivers is no accident. Planning, screening and rigorous training are essential components

Layered lifestyle

Layered lifestyle By

To accommodate the demands of their disparate resident populations, eldercare operators are increasingly adopting a security approach to meet residents' needs.

Uncertain futures

Uncertain futures By

Double-whammy of regulatory burdens and reimbursement unknowns gives investors reason for pause when considering whether to spend on skilled nursing

Surviving scrutiny

Surviving scrutiny By

Faster-paced regulatory climate requires facilities to adopt 'culture change' in order to meet new corporate compliance initiatives coming in the next few years

No regret shopping

No regret shopping By

Time, research spent exploring options will pay off in bathing unit and lift buys

Laundry duty hazards

Laundry duty hazards By

From safely handling soiled linens to cleaning out dryer ducts, enforcing best practices is crucial for employee health, group efficiency and risk management

Best feet forward: How to target DFUs

Best feet forward: How to target DFUs By

Providers find that the growing challenge of serving more diabetics and their foot ulcers is best done with foot specialists and a dedicated care team

Common-sense skin care

Common-sense skin care By

Good training, effective use of 'team' caregiving deemed the key cornerstones

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