Contemporary Long Term Care articles from April 2000

Contemporary Long Term Care archives from April 2000

C'mon, no snickering.(sexual expression and the elderly)
April 1, 2000... SEXUAL EXPRESSION IS ONE OF THOSE topics that tends to elicit raised eyebrows in some, wide-eyed titillation in many, and certainly interest from most. When the objects of affection are nursing home residents, however, jaws tend to slacken a...

Assisted suicide 101.
April 1, 2000... 'What does the handbook say about euthanasia?' HOW SHOULD A FACILITY RESPOND TO A resident's request to die? While it is a crime in most states in this country to aid another to commit or attempt suicide, 9 out of 10 Dutch health care...

Time for a change.(Time magazine offers new large-print edition)
April 1, 2000... Newsweekly launches large-print edition IF YOUR VISION-IMPAIRED RESIDENTS HAVE been longing for a large-print alternative to Reader's Digest, they'll be happy to hear that Time magazine has launched a "large edition" featuring 1&point type...

Legal leapfrogging.(Medicare rules challenge court decision reversed)
April 1, 2000... Reversing a federal appeals court decision that let the Illinois Council on Long Term Care into federal court to challenge new Medicare rules as unconstitutionally vague and inconsistent, the U.S. Supreme Court said the Illinois group should...

End-of-life care considered.(California Coalition for Compassionate Care)
April 1, 2000... A California-based coalition of long term care leaders has issued a set of recommendations to improve end-of-life care for, nursing home residents: Three years in development, the report focuses on the "primacy of the role of the resident or...

Feeding frenzy.(American Health Lawyers Association long term care conference)
April 1, 2000... Industry's misfortunes keeping lawyers busy IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT THAT THE LONG term care industry is under siege, attendance figures for the American Health Lawyers Association's annual long term care conference in Orlando in February...

INCONTINENCE FAST FACTS.
April 1, 2000... * 51% of nursing home residents are incontinent. * 63.9% of consumers are dissatisfied with incontinence treatment measures. * Incontinence care requires 25 minutes per change. * Cost of incontinence is $5.2 billion in long term...

BBA: The 'Burgeoning Bankruptcy Act'?(Balanced Budget Act)
April 1, 2000... 1,651 Total number of skilled nursing facilities in bankruptcy 175,000 Total number of affected residents $7 billion Amount American Health Care Association has said should be restored to Medicare budget after Balanced...

HOT LINKS.(Parkinson's Disease web sites)
April 1, 2000... Parkinson's Disease Watching Spin City has been a bittersweet experience since Michael J. Fox, star of the hit sitcom, announced that he would be leaving the show because of Parkinson's Disease. To learn more about this degenerative...

Blowing smoke?(nicotine may be beneficial in Parkinson's Disease treatment)
April 1, 2000... Nicotine may benefit Parkinson's patients, study says PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM A SMALL PILOT study suggest that the nicotine found in cigarettes may be beneficial to people in the early stages of Parkinson's Disease. Paul Newhouse, MD,...

Doctors fear fraud crackdown.(Medicare fraud)
April 1, 2000... Medicare patients feel impact on care THE MEDICARE FRAUD CRACKDOWN IS impacting access to care for some patients, according to an Association of American Physicians and Surgeons study. The mail survey of 331 physicians concluded that...

FYI.(upcoming publications and reports on long term care)
April 1, 2000... National Nursing Home Week Planning Guide (American Health Care Association). AHCA provides a National Nursing Home Week (May 14-20) planning guide for members that includes legacy-focused activities to promote intergenerational relationships,...

Will health care get the vote?(survey from the Kaiser/Harvard School of Public Health Program on the Public and Health Policy)
April 1, 2000... Issue gains momentum for Election 2000 HEALTH CARE MAY NOT DECIDE ALL 2000 elections, but it could be critical in close races, according to a national survey from the Kaiser/Harvard School of Public Health Program on the Public and Health...

VIEW FROM THE HILL.(current long term care bills)
April 1, 2000... VIEW FROM THE HILL Bill Title H.R. 202 Preserving Affordable Housing for Senior Citizens into the 21st Century Act H.R. 2684 Departments of Veterans Affairs and...

Texas developing sexuality guidelines.(for nursing home residents)
April 1, 2000... The Texas Department of Human Services is drafting guidelines to help providers establish policies and determine when to report residents' sexual activity. Its task force, including providers, consumer advocates, and health professionals,...

Kentucky Attorney General wants more.(Ben Chandler asks for more nursing home inspectors)
April 1, 2000... Kentucky Attorney General Ben Chandler asked the state's General Assembly to endorse the idea of more inspectors to monitor nursing homes, salary raises for certified nursing assistants and other frontline workers, and a task force to study...

Audit your PPS claims.(prospective payment system)
April 1, 2000... Knowing what to zero in on can help reduce errors This article is a follow-up to "Submitting error-free claims" CLTC, September 1999. WHEN SKILLED NURSING FACILITY OPERATIONS TELL US, "there are no problems with my Medicare Part A...

Somebody to love.(allowing nursing home residents to express their sexuality)
April 1, 2000... At a national conference as recently as 1992, an administrator asked peers to indicate how many of their facilities had sexually active residents with dementia. No one raised a hand. "Every administrator knows residents are sexually active,...

Woe Street.(nursing home share prices slump)
April 1, 2000... A slump in share prices has made life difficult for public companies IF LONG TERM CARE STOCKS WERE REELING IN 1998, THEY WERE flat on their backs in 1999. The new millennium doesn't appear to have been a turning point for the publicly...

Sleeping giant.(continuing care retirement community)
April 1, 2000... CCRCs are suddenly the darling of lenders and investors ALTHOUGH THE TYPICAL "ALL IN" COST OF A CONTINUING care retirement community in the Northeast ranges from $50 to $100 million (which alone would give most lenders pause), there are...

To bond raters, cash is king.(nursing home securities rating)
April 1, 2000... It beats 'great stories' and innovative strategic plans DEBT-RATING AGENCIES VIEW THE LONG TERM CARE INDUSTRY as risky. While assisted-living bond deals offer investors an alternative to the battered hospital and health care system credits...

Toilet (re)training.(incontinence care)
April 1, 2000... As memory fades, they won't use the toilet if they can't remember what it's for Just for a moment, put yourself in her slippers: you feel the urge to urinate, but you don't know where the bathroom is. When some stranger takes you into a...

Our role as healer.(nursing home care techniques)
April 1, 2000... How do we become healers? Hammerschlag: The physical, mental, and spiritual parts of people are interconnected. The crucial factor in healing is what people feel and believe about themselves. A good doctor can make a diagnosis and treat...

Hunt 'hits a wall' and Southern is the beneficiary.(Hunt Assisted Living selling facilities to Southern Assisted Living)
April 1, 2000... With long term care providers laboring a capital crunch the likes of which the industry has not seen in many years (See "Woe Street," page 30), observers have for months been predicting a consolidation wave as well-capitalized companies pickup...

CORPORATE LADDER.(nursing home news)
April 1, 2000... CareMatrix, a Needham, Mass.-based assisted living chain, has named Michael Zaccaro president. He replaces Marc Benson. EdenCare Senior Living Services, an Atlanta-based assisted and independent living company, has named Clark Hettinga CFO....

Manor Care board exploring alternatives.
April 1, 2000... Manor Care announced that in response to an expression of interest, a special committee of its board of directors is exploring various strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the Toledo, Ohio-based company. The committee has...

Centennial, E.M. Warburg, Pincus affiliate to merge.(Centennial HealthCare)
April 1, 2000... Centennial HealthCare and an affiliate of E.M. Warburg, Pincus, a private equity investment firm, have entered into a definitive merger agreement providing for the purchase of Centennial for cash consideration of $5.50 a share. The tender...

CareMatrix mulls buying Chancellor Senior Housing.
April 1, 2000... CareMatrix, a Needham, Mass.-based assisted living company, is exploring the possibility of acquiring Chancellor Senior Housing Group and some of its affiliates as part of the strategic alternatives. Abraham Gosman, chairman and CEO, said the...

Boulevard buys transitional care center.(Boulevard Healthcare buys Advocate Transitional Care Center)
April 1, 2000... Skokie, III.-based Boulevard Healthcare, a new company specializing in the acquisition and operation of senior living facilities, has acquired Advocate Transitional Care Center, a 242-bed rehabilitation and nursing center in Evergreen Park,...

LEADERS AND LAGGARDS.(nursing home securities outlook)
April 1, 2000... How industry stocks fared from 2/1/00 through 2/29100 February marked a return to a sector-wide underperformance as the group tell 9.4 percent, trailing the Russell 2000's strong 14.5 percent advance and the NASDAQ Composite's 20.8 percent...

Vencor extends maturity of $100M DIP financing.
April 1, 2000... Louisville, Ky.-based Vencor, which is in Chapter 11, has agreed with its lenders to amend the company's $100 million debtor-in-possession financing to extend maturity until June 30. The amendment also revises certain financial covenants and...

Genesis launches Web-based report card.(Genesis Health Ventures)
April 1, 2000... Kennett Square, Pa.-based Genesis Health Ventures launched a comprehensive, Web-based report card on its nursing facilities containing survey and certification data, customer satisfaction ratings, and key clinical outcomes by state. The report...

Marriott Senior Living teams with Toll Brothers.(to develop Marriott MapleRidge assisted living community)
April 1, 2000... Washington, D.C.-based Marriott Senior Living Services and Toll Brothers announced a partnership to develop and manage a Marriott MapleRidge assisted living community in Reston, Va. Marriott operates 144 senior living communities in 29...

Dimensions Healthcare forms senior care division.
April 1, 2000... Largo, Md.-based Dimensions Healthcare System has formed a division to manage and expand the system's senior service offerings. Stewart Seitz was promoted to vice president of senior services and will oversee the division. Senior services...

Balanced Care teams with HealthSouth.
April 1, 2000... Residents of 10 assisted living communities operated throughout Pennsylvania by Balanced Care now have on-site access to a range of rehabilitation and therapy services, the result of an affiliation between Balanced Care and HealthSouth. ...

Collins & Aikman buys Crossley Carpet.(Collins and Aikman Floorcoverings; Crossley Carpet Mills)
April 1, 2000... Dalton, Ga.-based Collins & Aikman Floorcoverings has acquired Nova Scotia-based Crossley Carpet Mills to better serve the Canadian market. "The acquisition is an excellent fit in terms of technology, products, and markets served," Collins...

NovaCare announces plan to sell all assets.
April 1, 2000... The board of directors of NovaCare, a leading provider of physical rehabilitation, occupational health and employee services, has approved a "restructuring" plan for the King of Prussia, Pennsylvania-based company. The plan contemplates the...

McKesson, Mercy Resource sign five-year pact.(McKesson HBOC MedManagement and Mercy Resource Management Inc.)
April 1, 2000... McKesson HBOC's MedManagement pharmacy management and consulting services business unit has signed a five-year exclusive pharmacy service agreement with Mercy Resource Management. The pact provides MRMI's 240 hospital, long term care...

COMPARISON OF RN RATES IN HEALTHCARE.(registered nurse salaries)
April 1, 2000... COMPARISON OF RN RATES IN HEALTHCARE Hospital RNs continue to receive the highest pay in health care. Comparatively, the home/ hospice sector ranks second in pay, followed ...

Medibuy.com partners with Lawson Software.
April 1, 2000... Medibuy.com, an online hub for buying and selling health care supplies, equipment, and services, has partnered with Lawson Software, a provider of Self-Evident Applications for e-business, to ease the workflow of health care buyers and sellers....

Shared Services goes with Siemens Medical.(Siemens Medical Systems has contract with Shared Services Healthcare)
April 1, 2000... Siemens Medical Systems and Shared Services Healthcare have entered into a five-year, sole-source purchasing agreement under which Iselin, N.J.-based Siemens will supply Shared Services with a wide range of medical devices. The agreement, which...

Paper-Pak buys P&G, Wyant incontinence.(Paper-Pak Products buys Attends and Wyant Health Care, manufacturer of adult incontinence products)
April 1, 2000... Paper-Pak Products has finalized the acquisition of The Procter & Gamble company's Attends adult incontinence products business in North America and Europe, and Wyant Health Care, a manufacturer of adult incontinence products. The acquisitions...

The Wartburg receives Alzheimer's grant.(Wartburg Adult Care Community receives grant to fund Geriatric Life Empowerment Project)
April 1, 2000... The Wartburg Adult Care Community in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., was awarded $250,000 from the New York State Department of Health's Office of Continuing Care to fund its Geriatric Life Empowerment Project. The goal of the project is to improve the...

Castle Senior Living to manage 3 Northeast ALEs.(assisted living facilities)
April 1, 2000... Teaneck, N.J.-based Castle Senior Living has assumed management of three supportive living facilities consisting of 424 apartments. The facilities, owned by entities controlled by Allan Rose of Yonkers, N.Y., are located in Forest Hills, N.Y.,...

Cambridge funds SNFs in Illinois.(Cambridge Realty Capital Companies provides funds to skilled nursing facilities)
April 1, 2000... Chicago-based Cambridge Realty Capital Companies has provided a $5.9 million HUD 223(f) mortgage loan for Alden Village, a 107-bed skilled nursing facility at 275 E. Lake St. in Bloomingdale, Ill. The 7 percent, 35-year loan was arranged for...

Emeritus closes $40M equity investment.(Emeritus Assisted Living closes Saratoga Partners TV investment)
April 1, 2000... Seattle-based Emeritus Assisted Living, closed a $40 million investment by Saratoga Partners TV, and the funding of the first $30 million of the investment. The remainder of the investment is expected to be funded in the first quarter of 2000....

Senior housing loans performing, MC says.(National Investment Center for Seniors Housing Care)
April 1, 2000... The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care, which posts loan performance data on its Web site, reports that about 99 percent of loans in the seniors housing and long term care industry arc performing. Performing loans are...

Bank One to start offering long term care coverage.
April 1, 2000... Bank One Corp. of Chicago plans to begin selling long term care insurance. Though no carrier has been selected, Michael Reed, president and CEO of parent company Banc One Securities Corp. in Cleveland, said target markets will be young...

Investigation, enforcement: recent developments.(part 1 of long term care industry overview)
April 1, 2000... This is the first of a two-part article. Part two will appear in next month's issue. THE PAST YEAR SAW AT LEAST THREE MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS OF which long term care providers should be aware in 2000 and beyond. They are: a shift in the focus...

Balance training.(Biodex Balance System)
April 1, 2000... The Biodex Balance System features eight difficulty levels on an unstable surface and can screen residents for falling.

Gait therapy.(Lite GaitI)
April 1, 2000... The Lite GaitI supports the patient while training posture, balance, and walking. It allows for normal leg extension, but eliminates the fear of falling.

Orthopedic binder.(Dale Abdominal Binder)
April 1, 2000... The Dale Abdominal Binder with Velcro closure is made entirely of latex-free stretch material. Stretch panels allow it to adjust to each patient and evenly distribute compression.

Intensive-use seating.(BodyBilt chairs)
April 1, 2000... BodyBilt's chair line is available in task seating, management-style, and executive models. The chairs are designed to endure round-the-clock use.

Water treatment.(Kinetico reverse osmosis water filter system)
April 1, 2000... Kinetico's reverse osmosis system filters water in facilities that are susceptible to contamination.

Wound care.(Coloplast Woun'Dres Collagen Hydrogel Dressing)
April 1, 2000... Colorplast's Woun'Dres Collagen Hydrogel Dressing is a clear gel for increased wound visibility. A smooth consistency conforms to the wound and provides a moist healing environment. Each 1- or 3-ounce tube has a flip-top cap for ease of...

Food service.(Resource Ground Meat Enhancer)
April 1, 2000... Resource Ground Meat Enhancer makes meats moist, easy to eat, and visually appealing. It can be served by scooping, cutting into squares, or slicing. Hamburgers may be made by forming a patty. One tablespoon provides 30 calories and 3 protein...

Swabstick.(Saliswab oral hygiene swabstick)
April 1, 2000... Saliswab oral hygiene swabstick and salivary stimulator increases saliva and helps alleviate dry mouth from drug therapy and nutritional deficiencies.

Long-handled brush.(hairbrush from Ableware)
April 1, 2000... ABLEWARE's ergonomically designed hairbrush swivels and can be locked at any level.

Upholstered recliner.(La-Z-Boy Healthcare offers the Stryker Medical Reclina-Rocker)
April 1, 2000... Stryker Medical's Reclina-Rocker from La-Z-Boy Healthcare has a stationary or mobile base.

Urine specimen pan.(Hue-Vu Hat from Welcon)
April 1, 2000... Welcon's Hue-Vu Hat fits underneath the toilet seat and is constructed of heavy-duty polyboard for multiple uses.

Magnetic locks.(from WanderGuard)
April 1, 2000... Delayed egress locks meet Life Safety Code 101 and can be integrated with WanderGuard's departure alert system to restrict only high-risk residents.

Teacher has the write stuff.(Betty Otis)
April 1, 2000... 92-year-old Spanish instructor puts pen to paper Betty Otis believed in December 1998 that she had come to the Maryville Nursing Home in Beaverton, Ore., to die. After living independently since her husband's death in 1970, Betty's...

$$$$ Calling all capital NIC financing forum.
April 1, 2000... AT LAST YEAR'S NIC CONFERENCE, Thilo Best, treasurer and senior vice president of Salem, Ore.-based Holiday Retirement, moderated a panel of lenders and investors who were on hand to talk about their respective products. His introductory...

The big picture.(American Seniors Housing Association report)
April 1, 2000... A new report from the American Seniors Housing Association offers a snapshot of the industry that's more flattering than the one Wall Street analysts carry around in their wallets. BY LOOKING AT ONLY the performance of public companies,...

Affordable assisted living.
April 1, 2000... With too much upscale product in the marketplace, developers are turning their attention to the needs of the middle class. WHILE OVERBUILDING AND LEASE-UP of upscale projects remain a challenge in many markers, there is still substantial...

NIC has answers.(National Investment Center)
April 1, 2000... When you need information about financing for development or acquisition, IN A TOUGH MARKET, you need every competitive advantage to entice your lender to loosen the purse strings. Recent studies have shown that money still is available,...

Therapy pool.(1000T therapy pool from SwimEx Systems)
April 1, 2000... SwimEx Systems' 1000T pool fits up to eight patients and has a controllable water resistance.