A Biden damaging proposal that’s barely getting noticed
By
John O'Connor
Mar 13, 2022
President Biden sure gave nursing homes the stink eye during his State of the Union address. Care quality is down while charges are up, he alleged. He added that Medicare rules need to be tightened
Skilled care occupancy rates down in second quarter: NIC
By
John O'Connor
Sep 15, 2016
Second-quarter occupancy rates in skilled care facilities fell to 82.2%, or their lowest level since figures started being tracked in 2011, according to a new National Investment Center for Seniors Housing...
Here we go again: All nursing homes are bad
By
John O'Connor
Sep 17, 2017
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...
Finding long-term solutions
By
John O'Connor
May 01, 2008
It’s hardly a secret that eldercare services in this nation are in a state of flux. The average age of nursing homes in most metro markets has surpassed 30 years.
Doc fix bill once again is less than LTC field had hoped for
By
John O'Connor
May 01, 2014
A measure President Barack Obama signed into law does a lot more for doctors than it does for long-term care operators.
Industry-backed report warns that cuts could hit $79 billion
By
John O'Connor
Sep 01, 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently unveiled a Medicare plan that trims Medicare payments by 11.1%, beginning Oct. 1. But the real impact will be a $79 billion loss over the next decade,...
And you thought long-term care operators lived in silos?
By
John O'Connor
Apr 20, 2012
Our Founding Fathers were wise to separate our government’s executive, legislative and judicial branches. As we’ve seen all too often, concentrated power leads to disastrous results.
Nursing groups outline ways to remedy staffing shortages
By
John O'Connor
Jul 06, 2015
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found at least 2.5 million more long-term care workers will be needed by 2030 to keep pace with growing care demands.
Frisky Alzheimer’s residents: ‘ew’ or ‘aw’?
By
John O'Connor
Mar 15, 2013
Alzheimer’s disease is very good at taking. It takes away memories. It takes away personalities. It can be argued that Alzheimer’s essentially takes away a person’s essence. And as almost...
Trotting out a new therapy for those with Parkinson’s
By
John O'Connor
Dec 15, 2020
The Human Animal Bond Research Institute announced a new research project to see whether horses might be able to help reduce symptoms among people with Parkinson’s disease.