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...
Medicaid hypocrisy 2.0, or the art of not giving credit where it’s due
By
John O'Connor
Feb 28, 2014
Hypocrisy, thy name is Republican governor taking more Medicaid funding.
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...
In long-term care, the choice is simple. Maybe too simple.
By
John O'Connor
Jan 27, 2020
Many skilled care operators are in Model T mode. Unfortunately.
A great time to be indispensable
By
John O'Connor
May 04, 2020
Are you starting to get more than a little overwhelmed by the non-stop flow of coronavirus coverage? Me too. So let’s change the subject a bit and address something even more important.
Three things that won’t happen in long-term care during 2018
By
John O'Connor
Jan 08, 2018
Last week I offered three fearless predictions for the year ahead in long-term care. So without further ado, here are three predictions every long-term care operator can count on. As in, count on NOT to...
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...
Uh-oh, Congress is about to ‘fix’ your hiring problems
By
John O'Connor
Jun 07, 2013
Many providers are hoping immigration reform can help ease the field’s chronic understaffing challenges. But like many problems the government sets out to solve, this one is likely to cause a few...
A four-day workweek? Why stop there?
By
John O'Connor
Jun 19, 2023
What are the three biggest challenges facing long-term care? To borrow a familiar punch line from the real estate sector, they are staffing, staffing and staffing.
Plan of correction can be anything but, as this provider learns the hard way
By
John O'Connor
Apr 28, 2014
Justice has an odd way of showing itself if you’re a nursing facility that disagrees with a deficiency citation but decides to work with inspectors to clear your name. You’re not going to believe...