The Olmstead impact: How class actions affect long-term care facilities
Nov 01, 2010
Imagine that a class-action lawsuit—to which your long-term care facility isn’t even a party—has the potential to disrupt your residents and put you out of business.
Alzheimer’s and you: Honoring caregivers
Nov 01, 2010
In November, we celebrate two closely related months of national recognition: National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month.
A new idea for hospice
Oct 01, 2010
The dual coverage arrangement for hospice care requires a contract between the Medicare-certified hospice and the nursing home. Such care answers to two separate regulatory systems—for hospice and for...
Vaccination imperative: protecting residents from pneumococcal disease
Sep 01, 2010
It is incumbent upon facility administrators and others in supervisory positions to recognize the severity of pneumococcal disease and give serious thought to providing residents with optimal protection.
Mental health needs
Jul 01, 2010
The recent Illinois legal decision to move mentally ill nursing home residents into smaller mental health settings is likely to prompt an industrywide examination of the practice of accepting mentally...
Cut the puppet strings
Jun 01, 2010
The current combination of recession, Medicare cuts, RUGs-IV, MDS 3.0, state budget crises, QIS, RAC, and the unknowable final shape of healthcare reform are reminiscent of the 1998 switch to a prospective...
It’s about teamwork
Apr 01, 2010
Communication breakdowns were negatively affecting residents, but instead of pointing fingers, coworkers needed to begin understanding the difficulties of each others jobs.
Relationships are key
Mar 01, 2010
We always have the opportunity to share a “Hello” or “Good morning” or even to sit and enjoy a visit. Relationship building … The opportunity is ours each and every day.
Measuring your worth
Mar 01, 2010
Outcomes measurement is the key to being accountable to patients, payers and physicians for rehabilitation therapy services.
Be choosy with Part D: navigating residents through Medicare’s prescription drug plan
Feb 01, 2010
The New Year and enrollment cycle for Medicare Part D beneficiaries has passed. But, remember, residents in long-term care facilities may still elect to change plans at any time.