Top Stories

Risky business

Tamar Abell, MA, CCC-SLP
Effective, data-driven risk management is proactive, rather than just reactive, and begins with the development of facility-wide policies and procedures that include standards of practice and care protocols.

Senior living execs talk policy, markets and choice at ALFA conference

Patricia Sheehan, Editor-in-Chief
A rapidly evolving regulatory, demographic and clinical landscape are top of mind for many of the 1,000-plus senior living executives in attendance at this year’s ALFA (Assisted Living Federation of America) Conference & Expo, being held in Dallas Wednesday through Friday.

Restorative nursing: It takes a facility

Joe Graham
An interdisciplinary approach to restorative care can improve quality measures as evidenced by a program instituted at Renaissance Gardens at Riderwood, an Erickson Living Community in Silver Spring, Md.

HHS urges healthcare workers to be aware of hepatitis risk

May 18, 2012    
news
HHS declares May 19 as the first-ever National Hepatitis Testing Day. Millions of Americans carry the virus, presenting a danger to themselves and others.

Pa. nursing homes recognized for excellence

May 18, 2012    
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Four Pennsylvania nursing homes show excellence in quality measures and are recognized by the state for their three-year achievement.

Medicaid cuts threaten nursing home jobs

May 18, 2012    
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Budget cuts to social service programs at the state and federal levels threaten staffing levels at nursing homes.

FCC to consider opening new wireless spectrum for patient monitoring

May 17, 2012    
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The FCC is expected to approve access to a new wireless spectrum band that will support innovation in medial body area networks.

Canadian wellness program targets seniors’ dental health

May 17, 2012    
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Saskatoon Health Region (Canada) grant supportss a pilot dental health project for seniors and adults in long term care facilities.

Paper prescriptions becoming passé

May 17, 2012    
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Prescription pads are becoming scratch pads as more physicians take the e-prescribing approach to medication management.

Researchers link chromosomal abnormalities with aging and increased cancer risk

May 16, 2012    
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Population-based evidence that the mutations increase with age and may be an early marker in detecting cancer.

Alzheimer’s drug trial seeks answers among genetically predisposed population

May 16, 2012    
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Clinical trial set to begin among a population guaranteed to get Alzheimer's.

PSS exits skilled nursing home sector in restructuring plan

May 15, 2012    
news
PSS World Medical looks to acquisition, divestiture and a revised business strategy for future growth.

Omnicare to pay $50M for improper distribution of controlled substances to LTC residents

May 15, 2012    
news
Omnicare, the nation’s second largest LTC pharmacy provider, has agreed to a $50 million civil settlement with the Department of Justice following a Drug Enforcement Agency investigation of complaints

Blogs

A man with a simple mission: to change the world

May 17, 2012     Patricia Sheehan, Editor-in-Chief
Bill Strickland’s personal story is one of rising above his own impoverished circumstances through a combination of intellectual gifts, street smarts, opportunities and serendipity to create a movement that has lifted the lives of others. It offers lessons for our own lives and our larger communities—and especially our senior communities.

Repurposing a property—LA style

May 17, 2012     Sandra Hoban
Many developers and architects are putting old building to new purposes. In Los Angeles, an abandoned hospital will shake off its horror-story reputation to provide a new lease on life for low-income seniors.

The stone removal's aftermath

May 14, 2012     Kathleen Mears
Following a procedure to have a kidney stone removed at a large university hospital, Kathy wonders why appropriate equipment could not be made available for a patient's most basic needs.

What Mom never told me

May 10, 2012    
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Sometimes life gets too busy or too distracting to learn the "little" things that make up a person. Biographies are wonderful opportunities to reminisce and share the smaller moments of life with loved ones.