Embracing end-of-life choices: A journey with Grandma
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 02, 2024
At the beginning of the year, my grandmother found herself in an acute-care hospital, addressing blood clots in her legs and lungs. Having just recovered from COVID-19 at the age of 100, uncertainty loomed...
A love letter to baby boomers
By
Steven Littlehale
Dec 14, 2022
Dear baby boomers, Thank you, thank you, thank you! You made my ugly-as-sin, chunky, deep-cut, orthopedic “sneakers” acceptable to wear with my fancy tailored business suit. I don’t have to...
The Case for Case-Mix Adjusted Rehospitalization Rates
By
McKnight's Staff
Oct 17, 2012
When you look at your personal monthly budget and see that your non-disposable income — what you need to cover your base monthly expenses — equals 65% of your monthly income. Can you assume 65% is...
Data and empathy: The unseen defenders of nursing homes
By
Steven Littlehale
Nov 10, 2023
Back in September, I shared my insights in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News about the importance of being your own data defender. In that blog, I expressed a viewpoint that I believe strongly in: Every...
Redefining the role of agency staff in nursing homes: Unveiling new realities
By
Steven Littlehale
Jan 05, 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of nursing home care, the use of agency staff has long been a topic of scrutiny, historically linked to concerns about inferior outcomes. However, as we navigate the aftermath...
Hospice improves your Quality Measures
By
Steven Littlehale
Jun 23, 2023
My father died a little over a year ago. While I usually derive tremendous comfort and support by sharing both happy and sad milestones with friends, family, and colleagues, in this instance, sharing the...
Setting up for MDS 3.0 success
By
Steven Littlehale
Jan 06, 2023
Are you a “New Year’s resolution” kind of person? I am not, but I am a strong believer in establishing goals and setting intentions. Whether you prefer to make a resolution or set a goal, January...
Distressed or ready to reset? At LTC 100, execs share thoughts on 2022 outlook
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 24, 2022
Investors making a long play will help buoy the skilled nursing industry as operators navigate mounting financial and regulatory pressures, and that’s just one reason a group of executives and analysts...
This is NOT OK
By
Charles de Vilmorin
Oct 29, 2021
Has the COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on staffing and occupancy for senior living communities? It certainly has. In the face of these daunting obstacles, do we need to lean into supportive...
Revamping CMS survey data integration amid regulatory lag in nursing home oversight
By
Steven Littlehale
Dec 08, 2023
The report titled “Uninspected and Neglected” by the majority staff of the US Senate Special Committee on Aging brings attention to a pressing issue: the severe understaffing of inspection agencies...