Care Management ~ Eldercare Advocacy ~ Dementia Care

Regulations for Long-Term Care Facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid were last updated in 1991, over twenty years. In that time, numerous best-practices have been identified to reduce the number of hospital readmissions and infections, increase the quality of resident care, and strengthen safety measures. These have not been mandatory to implement in facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid, to the detriment of residents in these facilities.

The good news is that the Federal Government is laying the legislative groundwork for facilities that accept taxpayer dollars to improve. The  Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently released a proposal reform the requirements for Long-Term Care facilities comply with these best practices. These practices will help to improve the health and quality of life of those who most need the care. Among the items proposed:

• Proper training of facility staff for dementia care

• Consideration of resident health when making staffing decisions

• Strengthening the rights of residents (to include arbitration regulations)

Take a look at HCPro-MDS Central’s update “CMS proposes major revision to regulations for long-term care” for a summary of the proposed changes. The proposal in its entirety can be found in Volume 80, No. 136 of the Federal Register.

Judie Rappaport, President & Founder
Preferred Lifestyle Services

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