A new kind of rest home: relaxing in the dementia ward
By
Liza Berger
Oct 01, 2010
A new dementia unit at a CCRC in Massachusetts has helped residents feel more relaxed and at home in their surroundings
Bill could accelerate nursing home entry
By
Liza Berger
Oct 01, 2010
Nursing home providers have rallied around a bill that would make it easier for hospital patients to qualify for Medicare funding in their facilities.
Congress improves its writing skills
By
Liza Berger
Sep 29, 2010
It sounds like a set-up for a punch line. The Senate this week passed the Plain Writing Act of 2010. Plain Writing Act? So what do we have now? Inscrutable, government-speak?
CMS set to move on interim RUG-IV plan
By
Liza Berger
Sep 01, 2010
At press time, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services was preparing, to implement its interim Resource Utilization Group-Version 4 (RUG-IV) system Oct. 1.
Mountain climbing, a metaphor for caregiving
By
Liza Berger
Aug 20, 2010
Recently, two leaders at Brookdale Senior Living scaled Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast. The purpose was to raise awareness of caregivers’ tireless work.
Congress pulls through on Medicaid bill
By
Liza Berger
Aug 12, 2010
You have to give credit where it’s due. Congress deserves kudos this week for passing legislation that will extend much-needed Medicaid funding to states.
Birthday wishes for Medicare and Medicaid
By
Liza Berger
Aug 05, 2010
Amid your daily workload and the whir of summer, a couple birthdays may have slipped by you. I’m speaking of the 45th anniversaries of Medicare and Medicaid.
CCRCs under the microscope
By
Liza Berger
Jul 29, 2010
A growing segment of the long-term care field, continuing care retirement communities, has piqued the interest of the federal government.
Who knew? Repeal of RUG-IV delay in bill one day and out the next
By
Liza Berger
Jul 26, 2010
When crafting legislation, horse trades are a well-established part of the ritual. What’s unfortunate is that many people who have a stake in these deals don’t know about them.
Congress slow to act on Medicaid funding
By
Liza Berger
Jul 22, 2010
It must be summer. How do I know? Congress is dragging its heels on an important piece of legislative business.