When you think about it, long-term care is really a thorny issue—particularly the financing side of it. As Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security resources dwindle, and more people grow older and live...
Readers agree nursing home survey system needs help
By
Liza Berger
Aug 15, 2008
Sometimes words or gestures capture a collective feeling or sensibility. That happened for long-term care this week when the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging released a report calling...
“How are we doing today, Sweetie?” How would you feel if somebody conversed with you in baby talk? Not very happy, I would assume. Alzheimer’s patients are no different. A new study finds...
Looks do matter
By
Liza Berger
Jul 01, 2008
Some say four. Others say 90. But it is inarguably within the span of precious few seconds that people forge first impressions.
Critical report finds surveys are too soft
By
Liza Berger
Jun 01, 2008
Nursing homes received another quality drubbing last month after the Government Accountability Office revealed that state inspectors often understate deficiencies, including those about malnutrition, bedsores...
Healthcare flare-up on campaign trail
By
Liza Berger
May 19, 2008
Things are heating up on the campaign trail, and I guess we can be grateful that healthcare is emerging as a new source of political offensives. On Saturday, Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama (IL)...
ManorCare panel: laudable gesture or lip service?
By
Liza Berger
May 13, 2008
Last Friday, I wrote about a new quality committee formed by HCR ManorCare. I immediately received some negative feedback about the company’s move. The Service Employees International Union was quick...
Gaining muscle behind the moratorium
By
Liza Berger
Apr 18, 2008
Washington is working for long-term care for a change, or so it seems. This week, by a vote of 46-0, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed a bill that would delay the onset of seven Medicaid regulations...
‘Transparency’ bill rankles for-profits
By
Liza Berger
Apr 01, 2008
The for-profit long-term care community has been digesting a bitter tasting piece of proposed new legislation in recent weeks.
Chicken Little strikes again
By
Liza Berger
Mar 27, 2008
If you’ve been in this field long enough, you are accustomed to the threat of doomsday. In the long-term care industry, the sky is falling. Constantly. It’s easy to feel that way today as nursing homes...