Caring for the Ages

Congratulations to the 2025 Excellence Award Winners from the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed)! You can read about them in our latest issue:

Congratulations to the 2025 Medical Director of the Year, William Mercer, MD, CMD, a family physician and medical director in Wheeling, WV, for over 30 years. He was also the county health officer of the Wheeling–Ohio County Health Department from 1998 to 2021. Currently, he is the medical director of the Continuous Care Center, a post-acute and long-term care organization. Dr. Mercer also serves as a physician with Project Hope, a volunteer program he founded in 2006 to provide health care to homeless members of the community in Wheeling. More recently he has been coordinator for the “Joe Too Cool to Smoke/Vape” program, which he established via a partnership with Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz’s widow Jeannie Schulz — and the world’s most famous cartoon dog Snoopy, aka Joe Cool. Read more in this issue: https://lnkd.in/ek7zTbQa

Congratulations to the Second Place Winner of our 2025 Essay Competition, Dr. Noah Marco! Read more in our latest issue: https://lnkd.in/e9tW8A5a

Dayna Hovern, MD, is the winner of our 2025 Essay Competition! Congratulations, Dayna! Read more in the March/April 2025 issue: https://lnkd.in/eMpK8Khm

Don't miss outgoing Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed) President Rajeev Kumar's reflections on a year of great change! https://lnkd.in/e9yZCN3X

In her latest Dear Dr. column, Diane Sanders-Cepeda, DO, CMD, reflects on changing technologies in healthcare, and how #AI may just be the next one we have to learn to integrate effectively and ethically. Read more in this issue: https://lnkd.in/etHCNGym #aging #seniors #longtermcare #nursinghomes #assistedliving #geriatrics #nursing

With the increasing staff shortages, an aging population, and more health data than ever before, #AI is becoming vital for #medication management. However, we must continue to test and adapt these innovations and seek guidance about best practices, utility, safety, and ramifications for the health care industry. Our pharmacy columnist Robert Accetta offers practical tips and guidance: https://lnkd.in/eyvzvxSB ??: Drazen Zigic from Getty Images

If you have a loved one in a post-acute and long-term care facility, they likely will be affected by artificial intelligence (AI). By understanding what AI is and how it is used in health care, you can help support your loved one and get the information you need about their care and treatment plans. Read more in our latest Caregiver's Corner: https://lnkd.in/e7qtXA89

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a 900-page document last year outlining surveyor guidance changes in long-term care that go into effect this March. The changes focus on everything from medication management and infection control to Minimum Data Set (MDS) coding accuracy and the medical director’s role. Read more in Joanne Kaldy's comprehensive coverage of the changes: https://lnkd.in/erzW_7Eu

Our March/April podcast is here! https://lnkd.in/eqwvXzkE Special Guest Lisa Lind, PhD, ABPP joins to discuss the potential for #AI to alleviate #loneliness amongst residents in long-term care settings, cautioning that AI should augment and not replace real human interaction.