One step forward, one back as lawmakers increase role of LPNs, take back temp rate hike
By
Josh Henreckson
May 08, 2024
A week after the Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board approved a $24 minimum wage for CNAs, a group of elected lawmakers fell short in their attempt to create exceptions and funding for “distressed”...
‘No time to mislead the public’ on nursing homes, Biden told; experts offer solutions
By
Josh Henreckson
May 06, 2024
The Biden administration should stop its “incendiary descriptions” of the long-term care sector and focus instead on collaborative policy solutions, scolded LeadingAge president and CEO Katie Smith...
Disadvantages, understaffing combine to ratchet up nursing homes’ antipsychotic reliance: study
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 25, 2024
Nursing homes in disadvantaged neighborhoods are more likely to rely on antipsychotics, especially when understaffed, compared to those in more affluent areas, according to a new study in Jama Network...
Partnerships with pharmacists increasingly important for complex resident needs, care transitions: experts
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 24, 2024
Building relationships and formal partnerships between long-term care providers and pharmacists is increasingly vital to managing resident care, experts said at a Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition...
OIG writing compliance guidebook to assist nursing home sector, hints at focus areas
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 19, 2024
The federal government’s top watchdog is working on sector-specific guides to assist nursing homes in keeping in compliance with federal regulations. Particular attention will be given to some challenging...
Optimizing RN responsibilities ‘more essential’ than staffing hours: study
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 02, 2024
While the long-term care sector braces for the announcement of a final nursing home staffing mandate from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, new analysis suggests that optimizing the role of...
Immigration reform increasingly urgent to addressing LTC workforce crisis: experts
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Josh Henreckson
Mar 28, 2024
As workforce challenges continue to hound long-term care providers, sector experts increasingly point to immigration reform as a vital step on the path toward long-awaited stability.
SNF leaders call for collaboration, reforms to fix ‘punitive’ regulatory environment
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 27, 2024
Facing a harsher regulatory environment from the state and federal governments in recent years, top long-term care leaders called for more collaboration and measures that work to improve care quality in...
Understanding facility, peer data called crucial to better Medicare Advantage negotiations
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 27, 2024
Nursing homes have historically had little leverage in negotiations with Medicare Advantage plans, even as MA has come to cover an ever-larger number of skilled nursing beneficiaries.
Top SNF leaders see progress but warn of ‘no interest’ in joining workforce
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 26, 2024
The long-term care sector is recovering well from the worst challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, optimistic top leaders said. But some problems that began during the pandemic have only worsened with time,...