Nursing homes continue to be plagued by staffing issues resulting in resident care problems across the country. This time, we’re looking at California nursing homes that are fighting stricter staffing rules because, administrators say, it’s impossible to meet the tough, new guidelines. While most states simply follow federal rules on nursing home staffing requirements, a few states choose to create their own guidelines on how many hours of … [Read more...]
Medicare Incentive Program for Nursing Homes Takes Effect
The Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program required by the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA), which was passed in 2014, officially took effect on October 1, 2018. The VBP program essentially provides bonuses to nursing homes that perform well and cuts funding for those that underperform. A nursing home’s performance is based on how many of their patients are admitted or re-admitted to hospitals for ailments that could have been prevented … [Read more...]
Did a Private Equity Firm Allow Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly?
You don’t have to have a Master’s in Business Administration to understand what happened the financial demise and subsequent bankruptcy at the HCR ManorCare Nursing Home in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. It’s a classic case of profits before people. In this case, however, those people were and are our country’s vulnerable senior citizens placed in the care of what are supposed to be highly trained healthcare professionals. HCR ManorCare Nursing … [Read more...]
Preventing Elopement from a Senior Community
If you have struggled with the decision to have a senior loved one move into a senior community of some sort whether it be an assisted living facility or a nursing home, you know this decision is a tough one. While many of these places are beautiful with amenities like movie theaters, gyms, hair salons, restaurants, and pubs, it’s difficult to let go of a parent or grandparent and place their care in the hands of others. We have all heard … [Read more...]
Psychological Abuse of the Elderly
No one wants to grow old, but it’s a fact of life, and when the time has come that an elderly loved one needs assistance with daily life, there are several options to consider. You may want to hire a home health aide to come to your parent or grandparent’s home to care for your elderly loved one. You may want to explore assisted living facilities that typically have independent living, assisted living, and memory care apartments. Or you may need … [Read more...]