It was an emotional general session at the American Health Care Association conference in Long Beach, CA, Monday. Bruce Yarwood, the mighty and well-loved president and CEO handed the reins of the group...
Illinois nursing home settlement could have major impact
By
Liza Berger
Mar 19, 2010
A recent legal settlement regarding mentally ill nursing home residents in Illinois has the potential to transform the state’s long-term system. It also likely will have a ripple effect on the field...
Where Eagles dare
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 23, 2013
A traditional portrayal of a Boy Scout has him helping a little old lady cross the street. But what if the senior citizen turned around and helped the young man advance to Scouting’s highest rank?...
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...
An effective tool to reduce readmissions
By
Marty Butler
Mar 20, 2015
Telemedicine is a new, powerful tool that’s proving value to skilled nursing facilities and has a direct impact on insurance spend, risk management and readmission rates.
It’s not just charity that should begin at home
By
John O'Connor
Feb 27, 2017
Long-term care operators tend to be a nervous lot. Rightfully so.
Butterflies bring enjoyment to Otterbein residents
By
Katie Ohm
Sep 05, 2014
Our elders enjoyed the unique experience of watching firsthand the life cycle of monarch butterflies. Each of the five small houses in the neighborhood were provided two monarch caterpillars in viewing...
Ongoing budget battles reveal a deeper problem
By
John O'Connor
Sep 27, 2013
Many long-term care providers seem to be experiencing a case of budget battle fatigue right about now. Yes, it was earlier this year that a fiscal cliff compromise was reached. And now two more budget-related...
Questions to ponder as herd immunity remains out of reach
By
Steven Fuller, Ph.D., DO
Feb 08, 2021
Experts estimate that herd immunity for COVID-19 will be reached when 75–85% of the U.S. population has received the COVID-19 vaccine. But long-term care — including nursing homes and assisted...
Embracing the ickiest parts of your job
By
Marty Stempniak
Nov 06, 2018
Maybe the secret to turning the corner on infection control lies in embracing one of the most repulsive parts of nursing home work — vomit cleanup. That’s the message I gathered from an alert that...