Sequestration 2.0 likely to take another bite out of provider payments
By
John O'Connor
May 24, 2013
For many long-term care providers, dealing with funding cuts that began in March has amounted to making the best of a bad situation. Automatic sequestration cuts are trimming Medicare payments by 2%, while...
The real key to keeping employees well
By
John O'Connor
May 20, 2013
Many long-term care operators have begun to put wellness programs in place. And by most accounts, they seem to be working out well so far. But do wellness programs really work? The short answer appears...
A chance to make your staff very, very happy
By
John O'Connor
May 06, 2013
It’s your turn to risk having an excited staff. Starting today, the second annual McKnight’s Excellence In Technology Awards program is officially underway.
The real labor problem
By
John O'Connor
May 01, 2013
Long-term care operators are understandably giddy about the sudden prospect of immigration reform. Such a change holds the promise of a larger labor pool at a time of rampant worker shortages. Add in the...
Cameras in nursing homes? Better get used to them
By
John O'Connor
Apr 26, 2013
Street cameras played a major role in identifying the two brothers who allegedly bombed the Boston Marathon. In the wake of this helpful development, public support is growing for expanded use of cameras...
Pssst, here’s how the LTC lobby can eliminate the 3-day rule — and gain other Congressional perks
By
John O'Connor
Apr 19, 2013
You might not be old enough to remember the “Schoolhouse Rock” videos that aired between cartoons on Saturday mornings during the 1970s. One of my favorites was “I’m Just a Bill.”...
Many LTC operators avoiding path to greatness?
By
John O'Connor
Apr 15, 2013
Billionaire Warren Buffet famously once said he had two rules for investing. The first was to make money. The second was to remember the first.
You call these nursing home secrets?
By
John O'Connor
Apr 08, 2013
Reader’s Digest magazine recently published an article called “50 Secrets a Nursing Home Won’t Tell You.” I’m a bit dismayed by the lack of evidence that’s actually...
Immigration reform won’t solve long-term care’s fundamental staffing challenge
By
John O'Connor
Apr 05, 2013
Long-term care operators are understandably giddy about the sudden prospect of immigration reform. But they might want to curb their enthusiasm.
Getting lost in the fog
By
John O'Connor
Apr 01, 2013
I was hoping to get clear answers about the sector’s future at the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry’s regional meeting last month in San Diego. I did, but...