A rare opportunity to address the sector’s labor woes
By
John O'Connor
Dec 14, 2015
It’s safe to say that the long-term care field could use lots of workers happy to take entry-level jobs. If only there were a sudden supply of willing people who would salivate at the prospect. As...
Nursing shortage relief from an unexpected source
By
John O'Connor
Oct 30, 2017
When it comes to skilled-care staffing, the future outlook is bleak. If it’s possible, the situation for nurses might be even worse. But at least a partial solution could be in the offing from a...
CMS is not terribly interested in hearing about your staffing woes
By
John O'Connor
May 06, 2019
It’s no secret that finding and keeping nurses is one of the skilled care sector’s biggest headaches. But it would appear that the folks who regulate this field don’t want to hear it any more.
Dangerous work with low pay, and we wonder why they leave?
By
John O'Connor
Jan 23, 2015
Researchers have concluded that workers are leaving the field in droves. The two main culprits: poor wages and dangerous work conditions.
Gingrich: Providers able to fix workforce problems themselves
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 28, 2017
Newt Gingrich tells long-term care providers not to wait for the government to fix their staffing challenges. He also claims some relatively easy solutions are at operators’ fingertips.
Don’t want to be replaced by a robot? Then you’d better read this
By
John O'Connor
Feb 09, 2015
We’re hearing more about technology’s growing role in the long-term care field. And to be sure, there are many positive things to be said about the shift. The bad news is that your job as a...
Why the New York Times’ ‘hatchet job’ shows better days are coming to long-term care
By
John O'Connor
Aug 26, 2014
A pall hangs over this sector at the moment, thanks to the New York Times.
These calendars offer more than days to remember
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 11, 2012
Long-term care operators have produced a variety of clever, attractive calendars through the years. The illustrations have even shown simulated naked poses, with strategic signage saving the viewer from...
Nursing-home evictions raise bigger questions
By
Liza Berger
Aug 11, 2008
Some disturbing news appeared last week in The Wall Street Journal. The highly respected newspaper found that nursing homes are evicting long-term, frail residents—many on Medicaid—to make room for...
Five-star ratings: What a racquet?
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 16, 2014
The provider community can sound downright oxymoronic when it comes to the five-star rating system for nursing homes.