Is Senior Care Centers a proverbial canary in the coal mine?
By
John O'Connor
Jan 04, 2019
When Senior Care Centers announced it would seek creditor protection, shockwaves quickly shot through the field.
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...
Talk about tech tools
By
John O'Connor
Jul 02, 2012
After reading through some of the numerous applications for our first annual McKnight’s Excellence In Technology Awards — Connect Our World, I’m here to tell you that plenty of tech-based...
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.
CMS sends a message
By
John O'Connor
Jun 06, 2019
It’s no secret that finding and keeping nurses is one of the skilled care sector’s biggest headaches. But it would appear that the folks who regulate this field don’t want to hear it any more. As...
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 trouble with bullies
By
John O'Connor
Jan 02, 2013
The Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments on the unpleasant subject of workplace harassment. At issue is whether an employer is responsible when the bully is not strictly a boss.
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.