SNFs should use looming funding threats to take the long view
By
Patrick McCormick
Mar 11, 2019
Skilled nursing facilities are facing a barrage of challenges to their business. Falling occupancy rates, wage pressures, and growing competition are all putting the industry under strain.
Future of Medicaid: What keeps me up at night
By
Kimberly Townsend
Apr 17, 2019
Loretto will continue to advocate against cuts to Medicaid, but also will persist to innovate our care and diversify our programs to keep up with the increasing demands of our future older adult populations.
The true cost of obesity to SNFs
By
Joy Stephenson-Laws
Jan 19, 2018
While federal regulations state that nursing homes must provide “each resident with a nourishing, palatable, and well-balanced diet that meets dietary requirements and any special dietary needs”...
We don’t have any frogs. Now go away.
By
Gary Tetz
Mar 09, 2023
In a cruel twist of fate, I spent the past weekend in Las Vegas. Now, before I say more, I need to be clear: I love the people of Vegas, the long-term care facilities of Vegas, the long-term care staff...
Post-acute facilities must start acting like businesses
By
Betsy Rust
Aug 14, 2016
Fading fast are the days of post-acute healthcare providers viewing patients as their primary customers.
Beware of hospital observation loopholes
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Dec 07, 2012
Hospitals have been undergoing more and more restrictions on re-admissions and are now facing financial penalties in some situations. Unfortunately, this has also resulted in more patients not being classified...
Have you learned how to play SPADEs in the new world of PDPM?
By
Joel VanEaton
Apr 22, 2020
EDITOR’S NOTE: For the new column on this topic, with all up-to-date observations, newly appearing Nov. 28, 2022, click here. So much is being written recently about the current trends that many...
Skilled nursing facilities: The triple threat of healthcare
By
Tara Roberts
Oct 16, 2013
To say skilled nursing facilities have come a long way would be, well, surprisingly refreshing. Public opinion polls show there is still a wide-spread misunderstanding of what SNFs do, how they are paid...
It’s not morbid to talk about death … a lot
By
Steven Littlehale
Dec 07, 2018
It’s not morbid to talk about death, even on the dance floor at your high school reunion.
Lessons from the Hill: Can one person make a difference? You bet.
By
Joe Franco
Apr 19, 2018
With almost 15 years’ experience in grassroots advocacy, working for causes from cancer to Alzheimer’s prior to my current focus on aging services, has me convinced: Each and any one of us...