There is no way to sugarcoat what happened last week in Hollywood Hills, FL. Eight skilled care residents died in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Our condolences go out to the victims and their families. But...
The Alzheimer’s investment that’s not being made
By
John O'Connor
Jun 13, 2016
Our best hope to make progress against Alzheimer’s disease probably lies in the form of increased research funding.
His advice: You’re probably doing it all wrong
By
John O'Connor
Feb 22, 2016
George Cloutier has been giving nursing homes and other small business clients this troubling message for three decades: You don’t know what you are doing.
SNFs can ask for a 3-month reprieve in quality reporting
By
John O'Connor
Sep 04, 2015
Skilled nursing facilities unable to provide data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ new quality reporting program will have a 90-day window to request an exception or extension, officials...
Cameras: Families like them, lawyers love them
By
John O'Connor
Jul 10, 2015
Illinois may soon become the fifth state that lets families install cameras in nursing homes. Advocates see the move as a way to help ensure peace of mind. But for many nursing homes, the development may...
Obtaining critical claims data may soon get easier
By
John O'Connor
Jun 05, 2015
The government plans to make new claims data and other resident-care information available to providers and entrepreneurs as never before. Is it too good to be true?
Providers should pay special attention to what happens in the Senate tomorrow
By
John O'Connor
Nov 03, 2014
Tomorrow’s the big day. All across this nation, voters will go to the polls to decide thousands of races and issues. But providers should care the most about the various U.S. Senate race outcomes...
Lawmakers demand answers about rating system quirks
By
John O'Connor
Oct 01, 2014
After The New York Times noted that providers are apparently gaming the Five Star rating system by enhancing staffing and quality data, federal lawmakers quickly put an indignant pen to paper.
Is it any mystery why so many beds remain empty?
By
John O'Connor
Sep 15, 2014
Ask skilled care or senior living operators about their biggest operational challenge, and the answer is almost always the same: keeping the place full. A new investigation of the way many operators deal...
An overtime fix that seemed to work for everyone – except the feds
By
John O'Connor
May 02, 2014
It’s a troubling staffing dynamic that regularly plays out at many long-term care facilities: Low-wage employees are practically begging for the opportunity to work extra hours. And the additional...