Nursing homes demonstrate health information exchange, Minnesota style
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 01, 2014
It pains me to say it, but Minnesota’s done it again.
Sleeper measures could cut Medicare payments to skilled care operators
By
John O'Connor
Mar 31, 2014
As far as skilled care is concerned, most recent reporting on a major Medicare bill has all but overlooked what’s in the bill for the sector. And it’s not trivial.
Reducing seniors’ drug use, one iPod at a time
By
John O'Connor
Mar 28, 2014
For reasons that are understandable yet hard to countenance, antipsychotic drugs are widely used in nursing homes. Too often over-used, according to government statistics. But it’s beginning to look...
Overcoming the barriers to technology in long-term care
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 27, 2014
It’s no secret that long-term care has been behind the curve when it comes to technology adoption. We keep telling people to invest, and providers respond that there is no money. But it’s a...
Nursing homes should get ready for another image battering
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 26, 2014
Long-term care providers are sitting anxiously on the sidelines as members of Congress tussle with what to do before the end of the month about certain healthcare payment formulas. What will actually be...
In dementia’s crosshairs, women speak out
By
Tim Mullaney
Mar 25, 2014
Alzheimer’s disease does not discriminate. Or so we’ve been repeatedly told — for example, when “Iron Lady” Margaret Thatcher died, almost exactly one year ago. But a report out...
Reversal of fortune revitalizes LTC funding source
By
John O'Connor
Mar 24, 2014
For many long-term care operators, shrinking demand is not likely be a problem in the decades ahead. After all, about 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day, and the pace is just heating up. But there can...
Change the nursing home survey process
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 21, 2014
If LeadingAge’s latest strategy works as hoped, it would mean high-performing nursing homes wouldn’t have the fire of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services dragon breathing down their...
It’s not all bad news coming from MedPAC
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 19, 2014
A funny thing happened on the way to a semi-annual eye-rolling over a MedPAC report. It gave me reason to sit up with interest. Even more unlikely, it contained information that made some long-term care...
HBO documentary reveals a certified nursing assistant’s struggle
By
Tim Mullaney
Mar 18, 2014
President Lyndon Johnson highlighted impoverished families in Appalachia when he declared a “war on poverty.” Fifty years later, as the nation takes stock of how successfully we’ve waged...