The Benefits of a Negative Outlook on the Future

One study examined whether having negative expectations of the future impacted psychological well-being in a positive way. Researchers surveyed 200 adults ages 60 and older and asked them to rate their future selves in terms of their physical and social expectations at two time-points over 12 months. For full story, click here.

Neighborhood Design & Healthy Aging

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency produced a report about how neighborhoods and town design is an important aspect to aging well. Neighborhoods should be structured in a way that is conducive to an aging population, including designing different types of homes for individuals at different stages in their lives. For full story, click here.

Deciding Not to Purchase Long-Term Care Insurance

A qualitative study conducted by Yale University researchers outlines the reasons why many people opt not to purchase long-term care insurance. Affordability does figure into the decision-making; however, it’s far from being the only motivating factor. For full story, click here.

Assessing Choices Made Available to Nursing Home Residents

Study results indicate that both nursing home operators and state survey staff can utilize a standardized observation protocol in their efforts to ensure that nursing home staff members honor residents’ choices. For full story, click here.

A Report on Older Health Care Workers Conference

Health & Medicine Policy Research Group and the Great Lakes Centers for Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health co-hosted a conference focusing on older health care workers and their health and safety challenges. For full story, click here.

A State-By-State Scorecard on Health System Performance

Researchers at Rutgers University and The Commonwealth Fund released a yearly report outlining each state’s health system performance. It assesses each state on 38 achievable benchmarks related to care access, quality, costs, and health outcomes. For full story, click here.

AARP Issues Review of Adult Foster Care Trends & Regulations

The AARP Public Policy Institute released a report that examines the role of adult foster care (AFC) within long-term care services. It explores trends and issues facing AFC providers, discusses the role of the Nurse Practice Act on the scope of services available, and offers recommendations as to how states can support the development and growth of AFC. For full story, click here.

New Assisted Living State Regulatory Review Recently Published

The National Center for Assisted Living published a report outlining the regulatory requirements for assisted living residences in all 50 states. The report includes information such as third-party scope of care, staff education and training, and Medicaid policy and reimbursement. For full story, click here.

Rethinking Nursing Home Regulations in Support of Culture Change

An issue brief released by The Commonwealth Fund advocates a new partnership model for nursing home regulations. This model would find a balance between traditional regulatory approaches that emphasize the use of surveys and code enforcement with a more collaborative model. For full story, click here.

The Mather Opens in Evanston, Illinois!

The Mather is the Chicago area’s newest continuing care retirement community (CCRC) offering a full continuum of care from independent living through skilled nursing care. For full story, click here.

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