Making the case for universal, on-demand testing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities
By
Tina Sandri
Apr 24, 2020
Nursing homes are cruise ships on land; they have conditions that create the Perfect Storm. Physically, even with communal dining and group activities cancelled, often residents are in shared bedrooms...
Use of the Incident Command System during infectious disease outbreaks
By
Stan Szpytek
Apr 17, 2020
Compliance with the Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers Final Rule indicates that skilled nursing facilities (SNF) along with other healthcare...
Nursing homes’ raw deal during COVID-19
By
Bill McGinley
Apr 15, 2020
On their best days nursing homes start out behind the eight ball. Underfunded and understaffed, they care for the most physically needy and vulnerable among us. Generally, they are paid about 70% of the...
Person-centered care is more than a buzz word
By
Phyllis Ayman
Apr 13, 2020
Person-centered is the “new” terminology for care in skilled nursing facilities. That seems almost like an oxymoron. Wouldn’t the care for people always have been person-centered? The truthful answer...
It’s not just vulnerable elders — it’s also vulnerable staff: SNFs need urgent help
By
Robert G. Kramer
Jacquelyn Kung, DrPH, MBA
Mar 24, 2020
This is the time for the government and private leaders to step up. They must be creative and aggressive in immediately taking action to support those on the frontlines.
My advice for life with coronavirus: Don’t forget to breathe
By
Tamar Abell
Mar 16, 2020
We are in crazy times. Actually, it’s a step beyond crazy times. The world has hunkered down and is watching this COVID-19 unravel. Nothing is the same. I never expected to receive a call from a close...
Why seniors need to be in the loop about technology
By
Melissa Powell
Mar 13, 2020
In October 2019, a 28-year-old provided yet another reminder of technology’s potential implications for those age 65 and over — or, to be more accurate, his Apple watch did. As detailed by a New Jersey...
The five big trends affecting all skilled nursing facilities
By
Patrick McCormick
Mar 06, 2020
Skilled nursing facilities across the United States continue to face daunting challenges. The average SNF is only able to break even, reflecting increased competition, upward wage pressure in a tight labor...
For residents with chronic pain, pain management and bowel care should go hand in hand
By
Yvonne D'Arcy
Feb 21, 2020
Pain is a component of many chronic conditions, making chronic pain a health concern on its own. In fact, as many as 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, including myself. In 1991, I fell in...
To boost transparency, amend bills to require PBM disclosure data related to seniors residing in long-term...
By
Alan G. Rosenbloom
Feb 10, 2020
To better ensure consumers and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have access to drug pricing information relevant to seniors residing in long term care facilities, we believe the Senate...