As nursing homes fret COVID-19 vaccine distribution, only 14% say they’ll mandate it for staff
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 18, 2020
Nursing home operators continue to worry about the timing and quantities of newly approved COVID-19 vaccines reaching them this week and next, but some of the fretting could be for nought. Less than 15%...
Why nurses are feeling the strain of COVID-19 and four things they can do about it
By
John Lee
Sep 14, 2020
While solutions to the coronavirus pandemic are still up in the air, data and personal testimony abounds on just how hard hit the medical community — in particular nurses —have been by COVID-19. As...
Reforms could start sooner than one year, Becerra says in ‘monumental’ nursing home meeting
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 01, 2022
The federal government will meet or exceed a goal of implementing key nursing home reform measures within a year, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said Wednesday.
BREAKING 2: It’s official: Nursing homes must vaccinate employees or lose Medicaid, Medicare funding
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 18, 2021
President Joe Biden announced late Wednesday afternoon that U.S. nursing homes must use workers vaccinated against COVID-19 or risk losing vital Medicare and Medicaid funding.
Campaign urges Congress to end ‘national nightmare’ of COVID-19 and protect older adults, caregivers
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jun 18, 2020
The Act for Older Adults campaign calls for a comprehensive relief package, including ‘hero’ pay and paid sick leave for care providers, and a $100 billion emergency fund.
Whether facing an exodus or a trickle, LTC operators are activating these hiring strategies ahead of...
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 23, 2021
When Salmon Health and Retirement instituted a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its four Massachusetts nursing homes, CEO Matt Salmon was confident in the decision because he expected state officials would...
Focus on life safety during the management of COVID-19
By
Stan Szpytek
Mar 24, 2020
Note: This story was updated on May 12 to reflect new regulatory changes. As skilled nursing facilities around the nation rise to the challenges of managing this current infectious disease outbreak, providers...
OnPointe CEO: Pandemic should be catalyst for payment changes, shedding ‘wrong strategy’
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 29, 2021
Some look at the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and question how they can make their buildings safer. Eric Tanner, CEO of transitional and skilled care specialist OnPointe, sees the crisis as a launching point...
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities: Federal scrutiny expected to continue
By
Margaret E. Daum
Kristina Arianina
Callan Smith
Oct 05, 2020
While COVID-19 infections are widespread, the virus disproportionately affects the nation’s most vulnerable populations, including seniors. According to an updated estimate from two healthcare experts,...
Providers to report COVID infections in 12 hours or face $1k fines, CMS says
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 21, 2020
Nursing homes will face fines of “at least” $1,000 per week for not reporting COVID-19 infections within 12 hours of learning about them, federal regulators said Monday.