There’s an old adage that goes something like this: It’s hard to remember that your objective was to drain the ditch when you are up to your waist in alligators.
Catheters, infections and … you don’t want to know
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 06, 2012
Urinary catheters were on my radar twice last week. The first involved a late-night trip to the vet with an unhappy cat. The second, a political animal.
Peace is hell
By
John O'Connor
Feb 03, 2012
On Thursday, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke delivered some tough-love testimony about rising healthcare costs and our shrinking Treasury. This would be very sobering news indeed — if an easy answer...
Handling your PR crisis
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jan 31, 2012
A few months ago, I called up a nursing facility that was embroiled in a legal snafu. I’m not sure I was able to utter an audible response to its marketing representative since I was busy hitting...
Shuffling down the aisle
By
Mary Gustafson
Jan 19, 2012
For anyone who’s in the trenches caring for someone with Alzheimer’s — either in your own home or a long-term care community — the announcement of government initiatives aimed at finding...
Heroes’ welcome gets rave reviews
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 05, 2011
The Assisted Living Federation of America did it right today: It gave the profession five major reasons to be proud of itself. The pride comes in the form of individuals who were celebrated as ALFA’s...
Pssssst! Have we got a deal for you!
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 10, 2011
We might have just been subjected to the biggest dose of chutzpah seen in a long, long while. It smacked of the old image of the leering used-car salesman (sorry, used car sales people) rubbing his thumb...
Flush with cash, REITs go on spending spree
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 01, 2011
Talk about your good advertising for upcoming business meetings. Next week, the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry is hosting its second annual spring meeting for skilled...
What a year it was for nursing homes!
By
Liza Berger
Dec 29, 2010
It’s too bad that 2010 should end with a damning report about Medicare overbilling. It’s not exactly the best way for nursing home providers to greet the new year.
The road to the RUG-IV-related repeal
By
Liza Berger
Dec 10, 2010
Some good news—and just in time for the holidays. Nursing home providers can ring in 2011 knowing that residents will not be denied Medicare Part B outpatient therapy and the RUG-IV system won’t...