Among the issues confronting America is long-term care for frail, older persons and others with chronic conditions and functional limitations that limit their ability to care for themselves. Improving the Quality of Long-Term Care takes a comprehensive look at the quality of care and quality of life in long-term care, including nursing homes, home health agencies, residential care facilities, family members and a variety of others. This book describes the current state of long-term care, identifying problem areas and offering recommendations for federal and state policymakers. Who uses long-term care? How have the characteristics of this population changed over time? What paths do people follow in long term care? The committee provides the latest information on these and other key questions. This book explores strengths and limitations of available data and research literature especially for settings other than nursing homes, on methods to measure, oversee, and improve the quality of long-term care. The committee makes recommendations on setting and enforcing standards of care, strengthening the caregiving workforce, reimbursement issues, and expanding the knowledge base to guide organizational and individual caregivers in improving the quality of care.

Among the issues confronting America is long-term care for frail, older persons and others with chronic conditions and functional limitations that limit their ability to care for themselves. Improving the Quality of Long-Term Care takes a comprehensive look at the quality of care and quality of life in long-term care, including nursing homes, home health agencies, residential care facilities, family members and a variety of others. This book describes the current state of long-term care, identifying problem areas and offering recommendations for federal and state policymakers. Who uses long-term care? How have the characteristics of this population changed over time? What paths do people follow in long term care? The committee provides the latest information on these and other key questions. This book explores strengths and limitations of available data and research literature especially for settings other than nursing homes, on methods to measure, oversee, and improve the quality of long-term care. The committee makes recommendations on setting and enforcing standards of care, strengthening the caregiving workforce, reimbursement issues, and expanding the knowledge base to guide organizational and individual caregivers in improving the quality of care.

This book offers evidence and examples of useful experiences to help policy makers, providers and experts measure and improve the quality of long-term care services.

An international survey of different approaches to the provision and regulation of long-term care for the elderly.

As more people live longer, the need for quality long-term care for the elderly will increase dramatically. This volume examines the current system of nursing home regulations, and proposes an overhaul to better provide for those confined to such facilities. It determines the need for regulations, and concludes that the present regulatory system is inadequate, stating that what is needed is not more regulation, but better regulation. This long-anticipated study provides a wealth of useful background information, in-depth study, and discussion for nursing home administrators, students, and teachers in the health care field; professionals involved in caring for the elderly; and geriatric specialists.

As ageing societies are pushing a growing number of frail old people into needing care, delivering quality long-term care services - care that is safe, effective, and responsive to needs - has become a priority for governments. Yet much still remains to be done to enhance evidence-based measurement and improvement of quality of long-term care services across EU and OECD countries. This book offers evidence and examples of useful experiences to help policy makers, providers and experts measure and improve the quality of long-term care services.

As more people live longer, the need for quality long-term care for the elderly will increase dramatically. This volume examines the current system of nursing home regulations, and proposes an overhaul to better provide for those confined to such facilities. It determines the need for regulations, and concludes that the present regulatory system is inadequate, stating that what is needed is not more regulation, but better regulation. This long-anticipated study provides a wealth of useful background information, in-depth study, and discussion for nursing home administrators, students, and teachers in the health care field; professionals involved in caring for the elderly; and geriatric specialists.

Covering the full spectrum of long-term care, Pratt’s Long-Term Care: Managing Across the Continuum, Fifth Edition is an ideal introduction to management in this dynamic industry. Concise, yet complete, it begins with a look at recent changes in long-term care and health care reform, before examining the various long -term care providers and their interaction with competition, payment systems, quality, and ethical issues. It moves on to explore managing in the long-term care system looking at administration, leadership, culture change, technology and community relations, and concludes with a look at future trends and managing continuing change. The Fifth Edition is a comprehensive revision reflecting new Federal Requirements of Participation from CMS for skilled nursing facilities and changes the Medicare-fee-for-service payment system (PDPM). It also addresses the Affordable Care Act and its impact on long-term care, as well as the growth of technology in care, and more.

Tools for making long-term care facilities into caring and desirable places to live and work Written for health care administrators, medical directors, nursing executives, architects, and facility planners, Adding Value to Long-Term Care is a comprehensive resource that provides the tools and information needed to improve the clinical environment for residents, staff, and families; strengthen overall business operations; and secure a facility's financial future. This essential book and companion diskette are filled with a wealth of down-to-earth advice, helpful checklists, and easily reproducible forms-tools for effective business and clinical planning. Authors Dianne Lazer and Tobi Schwartz-Cassell present a comprehensive approach-The Value System-that will help to improve the structure of residents' days with a new model of programming, reenergize staff training and motivation, revitalize staff so they can engage productively with residents' families, and improve compliance with regulatory demands. "Adding Value to Long-Term Care is a must read. The Value System offers vast improvement in the clinical care of skilled nursing facility patients, improves staff morale and patient resident satisfaction, and creates a positive marketing advantage."—John C. McMeekin, president and chief executive officer, Crozer-Keystone Health System "How we care for the most ill, infirm, and frail elderly represents the central moral challenge confronting our society. This book contains a straightforward strategy to help meet this challenge through a creative and cost-effective transformation of long-term care. The authors have made a valuable contribution to all of us working in the fields of geriatrics and long-term and palliative care in our efforts to improve the quality of living and dying for the people we serve."—Ira Byock, M.D., author of Dying Well "Lazer and Schwartz-Cassell show a sophisticated grasp of many aspects of long-term care. Adding Value to Long-Term Care is a very impressive, multilevel volume that should be of great usefulness to all professionals concerned about aging in the United States."—Robert M. Goisman, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School "This book presents a concept that is widely advocated but seldom put into practice. Its major strength lies in the clear, concise, 'how-to-implement' guide."—Sylvia Beatam, Health Care Administrator, Hyde Park Convalescent Home, MA