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Long-Term Care

Apply outcomes measurement to therapy services

Bill Goulding March 09, 2010

Outcomes measurement is a powerful tool that can help demonstrate the quality of therapy your long-term care facility is providing. Why not give it a try?

The federal government should invest more in home care

Diane Walker February 22, 2010

The Obama administration is taking the right step in investing in programs to support family caregivers. It needs to do more.

Illinois task force offers recommendations to reform nursing home system

February 22, 2010

The Nursing Home Safety Task Force commissioned by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (D) released its recommendations for reforming that state's long-term care system on Friday.

National long-term care resource center for GLBT elders to be established

February 18, 2010

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has disclosed an award of $900,000 for the first-ever national resource center to assist gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender seniors in planning for their long-term care needs.

Some caregiving moments are priceless

Liza Berger February 09, 2010

Watching a resident jump out of an airplane. Seeing a resident die holding her loved ones. Improving the dining experience at a community. These are some of our readers' most memorable moments. Read on to see why.

Therapy caps, payment, assessment reform to top long-term care conference

February 05, 2010

The future of Medicare Part B therapy caps will be a hot topic next week when the National Association for the Support of Long Term Care (NASL) holds its winter meeting at the Ritz Carlton in suburban Washington. Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) is the keynote speaker at the opening session Thursday morning. Current and former federal regulators, as well as representatives of the two biggest nursing home associations, will be among those presenting sessions during the two-day meeting.

Let's build better boards of directors

Anthony Cirillo February 02, 2010

Change starts at the top. That is why a forward-thinking long-term care organization must have the right people on its board of directors.

Long-term care reaches out to Haiti

Liza Berger January 28, 2010

They are not all touting their good works, but many long-term care communities and their vendors are providing valuable relief to disaster-stricken Haiti.

Yarwood to Obama: Long-term care can play key role in job growth, economic recovery

January 27, 2010

A robust jobs proposal and strengthening the nation's long-term care sector must be cornerstones of the 2010 legislative agenda, said Bruce Yarwood, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association. He released a statement on the eve of President Obama's first State of the Union speech.

Seniors, doctors demand physician pay fix

January 25, 2010

National organizations representing seniors, members of the military and physicians gathered in Washington Thursday to demand an end to the Medicare sustainable growth rate formula. The formula would be responsible for a scheduled 21% cut to Medicare physician reimbursements in March.

A question of word choice: 'long-term care' versus 'long-term services and supports'

Liza Berger January 14, 2010

A new phrase appears to be emerging in the lexicon of long-term care. That phrase is "long-term services and supports." (Notice the omission of the word "care.")

CLASS Act only begins to address long-term care needs, panelists say

January 07, 2010

The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act would increase access to long-term care, but more actions need to be taken to overcome problems facing the field, according to panelists at a briefing Tuesday.

Health Affairs journal devotes January issue to long-term care

January 05, 2010

The health policy journal Health Affairs is releasing an issue today on long-term care and related services, and the challenges confronting caregiving.

Long-term care leaders tout nursing home sector for jobs

December 07, 2009

Maintaining a robust long-term care workforce is a cornerstone for bolstering the ailing economy, two long-term care leaders said last week.

More election officials need training on voting practices in long-term care facilities, GAO finds

December 01, 2009

States can do more to improve the integrity of the voting process in long-term care facilities, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office.

Being grateful on Thanksgiving

Liza Berger November 25, 2009

Thanksgiving, as its name so states, is a holiday to celebrate gratitude. But thankfulness, as we all know, is not always so easy to muster—especially during these tough financial times. Then again, being bah humbug never solved anything either.

Senate to debate healthcare bill, elder abuse gains attention

November 24, 2009

The U.S. Senate over the weekend narrowly approved a motion to begin debate on its version of healthcare reform. The legislation includes a significant expansion of the Elder Justice Act and other provisions affecting seniors and long-term care.

McKnight's Newsmaker Video: Challenging times for long-term care administrators

November 24, 2009

Long-term care administrators feel pressure from competing quality initiatives, says Marianna Grachek, president and CEO of the American College of Health Care Administrators.

Healthcare information technology has not saved hospitals money, report says

November 23, 2009

Despite claims of significant cost savings, so far implementation of healthcare information technology in hospitals "hasn't saved a dime," according to a new report from researchers at Harvard Medical School.

Long-term care advocates applaud provisions in Senate healthcare reform bill

November 20, 2009

The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging gave kudos to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and others for including the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act in the newly introduced Senate healthcare reform bill.

Long-term care providers can influence healthcare reform, Edward Kennedy Jr. tells association

November 19, 2009

"Legislators really need to hear from people working in the [long-term care] industry," Edward M. Kennedy Jr., son of the late senator, told a crowd at the 60th annual meeting of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association on Tuesday.

Everyone needs a long-term care plan

Ken Dychtwald November 18, 2009

My parents wisely purchased long-term care insurance. They have showed me that now more than ever, it's important to think ahead.

Good timing for AAHSA conference

Liza Berger November 06, 2009

Emotions will be running high at the rapidly approaching conference of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. The question is, will the mood be one of elation or disappointment?

House sets healthcare vote for Saturday; AAHSA applauds inclusion of CLASS Act

November 06, 2009

The U.S House of Representatives has scheduled a vote on its comprehensive healthcare reform bill for Saturday evening. As lawmakers fine-tune the legislative language, outside groups, including the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, continue to weigh in on the debate.

FDA launches medication safety initiative

November 06, 2009

The Food & Drug Administration this week introduced the Safe Use Initiative to reduce preventable harm from medications and improve patient health.

Omnicare to pay $98 million settlement in kickback scheme; separate complaint filed against Mariner, SavaSenior Care nursing home chains

November 05, 2009

Long-term care pharmacy giant Omnicare has agreed to pay a $98 million settlement in connection with allegations it engaged in an illegal kickback scheme with drug maker Ivax, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday.

Guest Columns: Long-term care needs certified electronic health records too

October 22, 2009

Healthcare organizations are now working on receiving certification for electronic health records. Long-term care providers need to be part of the pack.

Move toward certifying electronic health records must include long-term care

John Derr October 21, 2009

Long-term care must have have certified electronic health records to keep pace with the rest of the healthcare industry.

Next few days may determine future of CLASS Act

Liza Berger October 14, 2009

The Senate Finance Committee's passage of a healthcare reform bill is exciting but also a bit nerve-wracking for many in the long-term care world.

New falls research sheds light on big topic

Liza Berger October 09, 2009

Medicare. Medicaid. Healthcare reform. Long-term care providers were bombarded with a lot of big stories this week. One topic that is at risk of being overlooked, however, is new research on falls.