In this episode of HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we cover a wide range of timely and essential updates for senior living professionals. We start with breaking news from the Office of Inspector General, which found that the CMS Special Focus Facility program is failing to drive long-term improvements in care quality. With the federal government shutdown currently underway, we also walk through CMS's revised contingency plan and what it means for survey and certification activities. Infection control takes center stage as we explore two detailed resources from APIC—one on building effective infection surveillance plans, and another on implementing Enhanced Barrier Precautions in skilled nursing settings. We also revisit the CDC's core recommendations for isolation precautions, a foundational document that remains highly relevant today. On the wellness side, we highlight new research from the Mather Institute showing how older adults connect nutrition with brain health, and how that belief influences their dietary habits and cognitive performance. Finally, we close with groundbreaking science out of the UK, where trained dogs are now detecting early Parkinson's disease with surprising accuracy. It's a packed episode full of insights, practical tools, and emerging innovations that can help every senior living community continue to lead with care and purpose.

n this shorter episode of HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we're back from the AHCA/NCAL Annual Expo in Las Vegas and sharing a few powerful stories that impact senior living communities. We kick things off with an uplifting look at how trained dogs are helping detect Parkinson's disease through scent, an exciting development in early diagnosis. We then dive into the latest guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America on treating complicated urinary tract infections, with practical takeaways on antibiotic use and care decisions. From there, we explore Argentum's push for clearer, more unified emergency preparedness guidelines across assisted living, and why provider feedback matters. To support your planning efforts, don't miss the link to HealthCap's free Emergency Preparedness Manual: https://riskmanagement.healthcapusa.com/files/9e4a52b6-2dbc-404b-9677-875666b1b2b9. Finally, we spotlight the work of the Crisis Prevention Institute and how their training can support safer, more compassionate care for residents experiencing behavioral challenges. Whether you're clinical, operational, or leadership-focused, these stories offer insight and resources to help your community stay informed, prepared, and resident-centered.

In this week's HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we dive into five impactful stories shaping the senior living landscape. We start with a bold call from PALTmed, highlighted in McKnight's Long-Term Care News, urging providers to stop using routine PCR testing for UTIs in long-term care. That leads us into a deeper look at a new consensus statement published in JAMDA, which outlines the risks, limitations, and lack of outcome data tied to urine PCR testing—recommending a return to clinical criteria and standard cultures.

Next, we turn to reimbursement trends with a report from McKnight's on a spike in PDPM coding for conditions like schizophrenia and cognitive impairment. Is this better clinical recognition or a compliance risk? We unpack what providers need to watch for. From there, we move into practical strategy with a new guide from PharMerica on strengthening pharmacy contracts. With advice on clarifying service expectations, pricing structures, and quality metrics, this one's a must-listen for administrators and DONs.

Finally, we wrap up with a valuable resource from APIC—their updated 2024 toolkit for infection preventionists in long-term care. It includes CDC-aligned checklists, outbreak protocols, and staff training tools designed specifically for the challenges senior living communities face. For links to all the stories we discussed, head to Angie's Blog at healthcapusa.com/angies-blog. Thanks for listening!