The final ruling on the Federal Companionship Exemption took place recently as a result of a new proposal by the Obama administration. On the surface, the issue appears to be the eligibility of in-home...
How to use ‘local search’ to attract residents
Sep 30, 2013
Ever wonder why the Internet was coined the “Information Superhighway”? Just like the highway near you, there is a lot of traffic that navigates the corners of the internet. The speed they travel is...
Ready or not: The MDS is changing again!
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Sep 25, 2013
On Oct. 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will be updating the Minimum Data Set with another round of changes. Most are minor but there will be two changes to the therapy section. Your case-mix...
Looks like insurance isn’t the only thing being exchanged here
By
John O'Connor
Sep 23, 2013
I have a friend who might be best described as a curmudgeon-in-training. He seems to live in a world where almost everything was better than it is now.
What’s on Your PEPPER Report?
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Sep 10, 2013
Have you received your provider-specific PEPPER report yet? The Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Report (PEPPER) were mailed on August 30 and have been slowly arriving at skilled nursing...
Same-sex couples: Are you and your staff prepared? Probably not
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 05, 2013
Last week, McKnight’s staff writer Tim Mullaney wrote about the new Medicare guidance that guarantees that same-sex married couples can live in the same nursing home. Is your staff prepared to offer...
Are you prepared? 5 questions you need to know the answers to
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Aug 27, 2013
With all the recent regulatory changes that have come down the line, or are about to, we developed a simple five-question survey that each provider had to ask every therapy employee. If you can develop...
Vivacious smiles for seniors
By
Joel Glicksman, D.D.S.
Aug 26, 2013
A lot of things happen when you turn 80: you’re officially retired and the dream of competing in the Iron Man triathlon or climbing Mount Everest has faded. But, enjoying each and every meal, eating...
Kitchen design assistance for facilities
Aug 21, 2013
Whether you are just starting out in the long-term care business, building a new facility from the ground-up, or simply swapping out finishes, fixtures and furnishings in existing spaces and units, there...
Connecting to seniors through community outreach
By
Cole Marvin
Aug 16, 2013
It’s important for the future of seniors that providers work to reverse the trend of waiting to move to a retirement community. Friendship Village Tempe has made an effort to target these prospective...