Of all the scourges that hit nursing homes, there is one that always causes me to shudder. It’s not pressure ulcers or norovirus, C. diff or MRSA. It’s something less dangerous, but that I...
Therapy with a twist (of lemon)
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 01, 2013
As you read this, you might be eyeing the new RAI manual that takes effect today, and are feeling a bit overwhelmed at the sheer number of new pages. So it’s with great regret that I have to add...
One-fifth of caregivers take 6 months or longer to choose a senior housing option for a loved one, poll...
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 17, 2014
A significant number of people take six months or longer to choose a senior care or housing option for a loved one, recently released survey results showed.
Vast majority of nursing home residents chronically constipated, and it’s not well controlled,...
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 02, 2014
Chronic constipation is highly prevalent in nursing homes and not well controlled, leading to a high likelihood that residents develop fecal impaction, according to findings from a first-of-its kind study.
Taking multiple medications does not pose a major hospitalization risk for those with numerous conditions,...
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 21, 2014
For some people, taking many different kinds of medication does not increase the risk of being hospitalized as much as some healthcare professionals may believe, according to recently published research...
CMS expands therapy payment research
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 22, 2014
The government is expanding its research into alternative therapy payments, to consider more holistic changes to the way Medicare reimburses skilled nursing facilities, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...
‘Landmark’ study: Social media training increases nursing home residents’ cognition
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 15, 2014
Seniors in long-term care experienced multiple cognitive and emotional benefits from being trained in how to use social media, according to findings from a “landmark” study in the United Kingdom.
Fike 2.0: How national tragedy created a long-term care champion
By
Tim Mullaney
May 20, 2014
Last week, President Obama dedicated the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. The occasion got me thinking about how the searing experience instilled in some survivors a fierce sense of mission. Katy...
Managed care plans need protection from ‘carve-outs’ to ensure services across the continuum,...
By
Tim Mullaney
Nov 26, 2014
State “carve-outs” and lack of transparency in rate-setting threaten the ability of managed care plans to support services across the whole continuum, the Medicaid Health Plans of America stated...
Government is lax in issuing serious citations for antipsychotic overuse, NPR claims
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 10, 2014
Only 2% of nursing home deficiencies for inappropriate medication lead to a fine or harsher penalty, suggesting that the government is not doing enough to reduce antipsychotic drugs, NPR reporters argued...