A pro-union move that will put ‘democracy’ to the test
By
John O'Connor
May 14, 2018
A newly proposed bill could give unions quite a boost. At your expense. Called the “Workplace Democracy Act,” don’t let the name fool you. From an operator’s perspective, there’s...
The lawsuits are coming! The lawsuits are coming!
By
John O'Connor
Jul 24, 2015
Given the nature of what they do, it’s not surprising that nursing homes sometimes find themselves targeted in lawsuits. Unfortunately, it appears that this discomforting reality is about to become...
Why 401(k)s are bad for the future of long-term care
By
John O'Connor
May 04, 2012
We live in a world of unintended consequences. Consider a 1978 change in the tax code designed to let corporate executives supplement their pensions with extra cash.
A rare opportunity to address the sector’s labor woes
By
John O'Connor
Dec 14, 2015
It’s safe to say that the long-term care field could use lots of workers happy to take entry-level jobs. If only there were a sudden supply of willing people who would salivate at the prospect. As...
Some nursing home operators may soon discover it’s not so easy to hide
By
John O'Connor
Apr 25, 2014
For years, some nursing home operators have relied on an unusual tactic for avoiding lawsuits and other trouble: a catch-me-if-you-can corporate structure. But the future is looking less bright for this...
The LTC career challenge: Buying in without selling out
By
John O'Connor
Jan 26, 2020
Long-term care comes with a lot of challenges — for everyone. So how do we keep our careers out of a moral ditch? It might take a mindset switch.
The Sorting Hat and a new option
By
John O'Connor
Jan 09, 2012
If you have relatives between the ages of 10 and 20, chances are good that you are more familiar with Harry Potter than you care to admit. J.K. Rowling wrote seven novels that chronicle Harry’s good-versus-evil...
A new attitude across long-term care gets unmasked
By
John O'Connor
Feb 21, 2022
Many people who once thought masking was a reasonable response to COVID-19 have had enough. More than enough, actually.
For providers, this isn’t just a game
By
John O'Connor
Oct 04, 2021
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) could be playing a game of Chicken that could prove very costly for long-term care operators and a lot of others.
This time, the labor challenge feels different
By
John O'Connor
May 31, 2021
It might be advisable for long-term care operators to prepare for a two-stroke labor challenge. The first part should look pretty familiar: replacing those who are already checked out.