Contemporary Long Term Care articles from May 2003

Contemporary Long Term Care archives from May 2003

A grand design. (Perspectives).(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... They say beauty is only skin deep. But in the case of this issue, beauty has become the foundation for effective facility operation, good staffing and caregiving. And, we've noticed that more of you have become aware that good design promotes...

Merger of CARF and CCAC means good news for everyone involved. (Your Voice).(Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities/Continuing Care Accreditation Commission merger)
May 1, 2003... Editor's Note: Please see page 12 for the news story on this merger. Two vital organizations have united to breathe new life into a mission that focuses on high quality standards and a vision that seeks to bring cohesiveness to a...

First phase of HIPAA gets underway; next compliance deadline is Oct. 16. (Front Page).(Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act )(Author Abstract)
May 1, 2003... The first phase of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act officially kicked off April 14. That's when all medical care facilities were required to implement and follow a series of guidelines concerning patient and employee...

CCAC and CARF merge, strengthen programs. (Front Page).(Continuing Care Accreditation Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities merge)(Author Abstract)
May 1, 2003... A recent merger between the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) will allow the agencies to provide "seamless accreditation" for the broad spectrum of care...

New drug slows Alzheimer's. (Briefly...).(memantine)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Memantine, a drug long used in Germany to slow down memory loss and physical decline in advanced Alzheimer's cases, has been tested in the United States with very positive results, according to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine....

Grape is new ALFA Chairman. (Briefly...).(Tom Grape appointed chairman of the Assisted Living Federation of America)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Citing continuation of a "new direction," Tom Grape has been named as the new chairman of the Assisted Living Federation of America, the organization announced. Previous ALFA Chairman Chris Coates will continue involvement on the board...

Tipper Gore will be keynote speaker at '03 AHCA/NCAL Conference in San Diego. (Briefly...).(American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living Conference)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Former second lady Tipper Gore will be one of two keynote speakers at the 54th annual American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living Conference in San Diego Oct. 12-15. Gore, wife of former Vice President Al...

Assisted living, nursing homes strike sour note with America's elderly. (The Nation).(National Older Adult Housing Survey results state that seniors would prefer to live in their own homes)
May 1, 2003... When it comes to being cared for in their old age, senior citizens think there's no place like their own homes. An assisted living facility is one of the last places a senior wants to spend his or her days. Those were key findings in...

View from the hill.(overview of upcoming long term care/health care-related bills)
May 1, 2003... Editor's Note: The following bills pertaining to issues affecting the long term care industry were making their way through Congress as of April 16,2003. Bills listed in last month's issue that do not appear here ha ye seen no new action...

N.Y.'s proposed restrictions on temporary staffing 'not helpful'. (State Side).(restriction on use of temporary staff by nursing facilities)
May 1, 2003... A bill before the New York State Legislature that would place new restrictions on the use of contract and temporary employees by nursing facilities has gained little credibility from state health professionals, who say it ignores common...

Long term care shortage foreseen in California. (State Side).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Many seniors won't be able to find adequate long term care during the next 20 years as California's senior population continues to grow, according to a newly released study by the California Association for Adult Day Services and sponsored by...

Long term care tops business week's list. (Market Watch).
May 1, 2003... Having a profitable year in 2002 paid dividends in more ways than one for more than a dozen companies with ties to the long term care industry: 15 health care and pharmaceutical firms have been named to Business Week's 2003 list of 50...

LeBlanc launches Ethicus Healthcare Inc./Complex Care. (Transactions...).(David LeBlanc; Complex Care Hospitals of America)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Nationally recognized long term acute care organizer David LeBlanc announced he has launched Ethic Healthcare, a new network of hospitals for rehabilitative and long term acute care-complex patients. LeBlanc, a cofounder of highly...

Lexington Healthcare files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. (Transactions...).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Memphis, Tenn.-based Lexington Healthcare Group, which owns eight nursing homes in Connecticut, announced it has filed for Chapter 11 to restructure its finances. The beleaguered company's nursing homes include the Greenwood Health...

Alterra Healthcare files bankruptcy Reorganization Plan. (Transactions...).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Newport Beach, Calif.-based Alterra Healthcare Corp. has filed a Plan of Reorganization in Chapter 11 bankruptcy court, the company announced. The filing is in accordance with the company's expected timetables, according to company officials....

Aampro to acquire HealthStaff. (Transactions...).(Aampro Group Inc., HealthStaff International Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... West Whitehouse, N.J-based Aampro Group Inc., announced plans to acquire a majority stake in long term care staffing specialist HealthStaff International Inc. Aampro specializes in seeking potential business acquisitions and...

Sunrise completes Marriott Senior Living Services acquisition. (Transactions...).(Sunrise Assisted Living Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... McLean, Va.-based Sunrise Assisted Living Inc., announced that it has paid $150 million to complete acquisition of Marriott International Inc.'s Senior Living Services unit. Marriott Senior Living owns and operates 126 senior living...

ElderVision Inc. now Touchtown. (Transactions...).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Don't call it ElderVision Inc. anymore. The Oakmont, Pa.-based provider of Internet services for the senior living industry has changed its name to Touchtown Inc., company president and chief executive officer Jeff Pepper announced. ...

Occupancy rates at congregate care, CCRCS dip slightly in '02. (Market Watch).(Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industries)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Occupancy rates at the nation's congregate care and continuing care retirement communities dropped slightly during the fourth quarter of 2002, while rates at assisted living facilities and nursing homes improved or held steady, according to...

Market leaders. (Market Watch).(long-term care industry stock performance)
May 1, 2003... Market Leaders The top-performing stocks among the long term care industry's publicly traded companies during the past month: New York Stock Exchange Symbol Closing Closing Net Price ...

Outside in: award-winning designs integrate natural elements. (The Winners).
May 1, 2003... This year's panel of experts came to the table with a passion for their work and an eagerness to discuss the latest design developments in the long term care field. Following a spirited debate on the merits of architectural and design...

City living seniors; the summit: a contemporary campus for modern-minded elderly. (The Winners).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A refreshing contrast to the ubiquitous "faux Community" re-created in nearby Green Meadows, Wash., architect MITHUN created this upscale urban senior living campus right in the heart of it all. Just blocks from bus routes, shopping, theaters...

Free to be: a barrier-free design makes residents at home indoors and out. (The Winners).
May 1, 2003... This unparalleled model for environmental therapy in McLean, Va. achieves a graceful dance between indoor and outdoor space. As nature and The Sylvestery's residents team up, their families and facility staff encourage the resident's freedom...

It takes a village: the Waveny Care Center brings back classic small town feel. (The Winners).
May 1, 2003... Reminiscent of their nearby town, this most charming "two-story village " sustains a familiar rhythm of life for Waveny Care Center residents. With intimate residential settings for sleeping, bathing, dinning and relaxing, the home-like...

A context for wellness: Old World charm arrives in modern Dallas through Edgemere. (The Winners).
May 1, 2003... True to the surrounding architectural vernacular, Edgemere residents find solace in this retirement community reminiscent of a period Tuscan Village. In a design project that was large in scope yet intimate in scale, Three Architecture...

Over the bridge: nothing beats old fashioned, Mother Nature-like therapy. (The Winners).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... In a partnership between rehabilitation therapists and nature, this Life Garden" at The Fountains at Lake Point Woods in Sarasota, Fla., imitates environmental challenges in a style that indoor therapy gyms can't. Rehabilitating residents can...

Common interests: innovation is the key for these winning renovation projects. (Best Practice Winners).(nursing home facility rennovation)
May 1, 2003... Mather Pavilion at Wagner Spa-Like Bathing Evanston, Ill. Architect: Mithun. Seattle, Wash. Designer: Mithun, Seattle, Wash. Working with the provider for Mather Pavilion of Evanston, Ill., architect Mithun won high marks...

Ultraform floor mate pads. (Beds and Support Surfaces).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... * Designed for use with low beds * Two Velcro straps for anchoring pads to the bed * Four non-skid panels on the bottom surface * Bi-fold design for easy storage * Heavy duty vinyl covering American Health Systems Inc....

Functional forms[TM] sidelyers. (Beds and Support Surfaces).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... * Sidelyers can help relax the body, make joints flexible and improve head movement * Features five positioners to handle elevated support needs and optional adjustable legs for elevated sidelying * Available in three sizes for...

AccuMax quantum convertible pressure relief system. (Beds and Support Surfaces).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... * Clinically proven pressure relief whether powered or non-powered * Dramatically reduces the need for rental beds at a fraction of the cost * No buttons, dials or adjustments needed; always in optimal pressure relief mode BG...

Maxxum LTC low bed. (Beds and Support Surfaces).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... * New highs and lows-7 7/8 inches low, up to 30 inches high * Bed travels virtually straight up and down; does not pull away from wall * Mobile or locked at any height MC Healthcare Products Inc. Customer service department...

Sieste sleeper. (Beds and Support Surfaces).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... * Three-seat sofa converts to a full-size bed by flipping lightweight cushion (no mechanism) * Includes three standard sizes which can be customized for space limitations * Options include arm or armless versions with visible or...

Joerns[R] UltraCare[TM] bed. (Beds and Support Surfaces).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... * Mattress deck can be raised as high as 30 inches for caregivers' convenience and safety * Sleep surface lowers to seven inches, reducing risk of resident injury from falling * Toroidal architecture and wide base keeps bed stable...

Mood music: when it comes to helping residents experience the joy of music, nothing beats a live show. (Designing for the Senses).
May 1, 2003... Numerous medical studies cite the importance of music in treating disorders such as Alzheimer's, as well as improving resident appetites and employee productivity. And while there's nothing wrong with playing a classic Bing Crosby CD over the...