Caught in the throes of a pandemic lethal to those they serve, nursing homes have been largely abandoned by policymakers. The $4.9 billion in federal relief provided in May was very welcome. However,...
CMS issues ‘long overdue’ visitation guidelines for nursing homes
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 25, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services excited the provider community and brought clarity to numerous aspects of restarting visits at nursing homes Wednesday.
MA plans ordered to cover COVID-19 lab tests
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 23, 2020
Coronavirus lab tests for nursing home residents must be covered by Medicare Administrative Contractors and Medicare Advantage plans, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Friday.
1,900 flags commemorate fallen nursing home workers and residents
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 23, 2020
Nearly 2,000 purple flags were placed along a Michigan boulevard to honor the lives of nursing home workers and residents who have died in the state from the 2019 novel coronavirus.
COVID-19 broke resident engagement. This is how we fix it
By
Charles de Vilmorin
Jun 22, 2020
As the country is planning to reopen after lockdowns due to COVID-19, senior care providers are grasping the implications of this phase for their operations, staff and well-being of residents. An obvious...
Senior healthcare workers are the forgotten front line
By
Jerald Cosey
Jun 22, 2020
The term “healthcare hero” is now widely used in describing hospital and other frontline workers taking care of COVID-19 patients, and rightfully so. People risking their lives to serve others is something...
‘Shared accountability’ should be new nursing home commission’s goal, member says
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 22, 2020
Deep collaboration between regulators and providers is the target of at least some of the panelists for the new federal COVID-19 nursing home commission.
COVID-19 harbinger: loss of taste or smell
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 19, 2020
Clinicians may play a pivotal role in early COVID-19 diagnosis when taste and/or smell alterations manifest, say investigators.
Campaign urges Congress to end ‘national nightmare’ of COVID-19 and protect older adults, caregivers
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jun 18, 2020
The Act for Older Adults campaign calls for a comprehensive relief package, including ‘hero’ pay and paid sick leave for care providers, and a $100 billion emergency fund.
Drive-in visits keep residents connected to families
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 18, 2020
From window visits to video technology, providers across the country are working hard to make sure residents are connected with their loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic. A New York provider recently...