Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Post-Acute Care News | Nursing Home News.”
How to choose the right assisted living facility for your aging loved one
08/26/25 at 03:00 AMHow to choose the right assisted living facility for your aging loved one Mediafeed.org; by Rebecca Schier-Akamelu; 8/19/25 When you tour assisted living facilities, you’ll have the opportunity to speak directly with staff members and, when appropriate, even residents. Asking questions about pricing, amenities, caregivers, the types of care provided, and community culture will help you and your loved one compare when it’s time to choose the best facility. Key questions to find the right fit: ...
Advocate Health investing $3B across rural footprint: 8 things to know
08/22/25 at 03:00 AMAdvocate Health investing $3B across rural footprint: 8 things to know Becker's Hospital Review; by Alan Condon; 8/15/25 Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health is investing more than $3 billion across its rural operations to preserve care access, expand services and build a sustainable pipeline of providers for the future. The investment comes at a time when nearly half of rural hospitals are operating at a loss and 800 are at risk of closure, according to an analysis by the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. Twenty-one of Advocate Health’s nearly 70 hospitals are located in rural counties across six states, along with more than 320 rural clinics and a network of mobile and virtual programs [including hospice care].
Study: Specialized nursing home physicians cut emergency visits for Medicare dementia residents
08/20/25 at 03:00 AMStudy: Specialized nursing home physicians cut emergency visits for Medicare dementia residentsMcKnights Long-Term Care News; by Donna Shryer; 8/17/25 A major new study suggests that Medicare beneficiaries with dementia receive better care when treated by clinicians who specialize in nursing home practice — meaning they provide at least 80% of their services in nursing facilities — rather than general practitioners who only occasionally visit. The research, published in JAMA Health Forum, analyzed care for more than 417,000 long-stay nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias over six years. The study found that residents cared for by nursing home specialists — clinicians who provide at least 80% of their services in nursing facilities — experienced 7% fewer preventable hospitalizations and emergency room visits compared to those treated by nonspecialists.
Medicaid payments and racial and ethnic disparities in Alzheimer disease special care units
08/14/25 at 03:00 AMMedicaid payments and racial and ethnic disparities in Alzheimer disease special care unitsThe Journal of the American Medical Association - JAMA Network Open; by Huiwen Xu, PhD, Shuang Li, PhD, John R. Bowblis, PhD, Monique R. Pappadis, PhD, Yong-Fang Kuo, PhD; James S. Goodwin, MD; 8/4/25 In this cohort study of 13, 229 nursing homes, those with higher proportions of Black or Hispanic residents were less likely to have Alzheimer disease special care units. The disparities among nursing homes serving high proportions of Black residents, however, narrowed and even disappeared in states with higher Medicaid payment-to-cost ratios. ... This study suggests that more generous Medicaid payments may be associated with improved availability of specialized dementia care in nursing homes that serve primarily marginalized Black residents.
Governor creates new LTC oversight board, pledges to fill surveyor openings by year’s end
08/14/25 at 03:00 AMGovernor creates new LTC oversight board, pledges to fill surveyor openings by year’s end McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Jessica R. Towhey; 8/12/25 A new politically appointed Nursing Home Oversight and Accountability Advisory Board is being proposed as a way to strengthen facility oversight in a state that has a 42% vacancy rate among its public inspectors. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) called for the board, which will consist of members appointed by the state Secretary of Health, in an executive order issued Monday. Both LeadingAge Virginia and the Virginia Health Care Association / Virginia Center for Assisted Living applauded the overall goals of the executive order but cautioned that resources to implement the directives are needed. Guest Editor's Note, Judi Lund Person: The Virginia governor, Glenn Youngkin, has taken steps to address surveyor vacancies and strengthen oversight for nursing homes in the state, calling on partnerships with other states for training. Advocates cited the state, as in many other states, is hampered by flatline funding from federal partners and the lack of clinical staff willing to fill surveyor roles.
Blindsided: Some nursing homes across the country aggressively pursue friends and relatives for a loved one’s unpaid bill
08/13/25 at 03:00 AMBlindsided: Some nursing homes across the country aggressively pursue friends and relatives for a loved one’s unpaid bill 14 News; by Jill Riepenhoff and Chris Nakamoto; 8/11/25 Toni Cook opened the letter from her mother’s nursing home and cried in horror. Lynn Marie Witt dropped to her knees and sobbed when she read the letter from her mother’s nursing home. Both women — stiff and grief-stricken over the loss of their beloved mothers — learned from those letters that the nursing homes intended to collect their mothers’ unpaid debts from them. Neither had any financial control over their mother’s bank accounts or assets after their deaths, court records say. They simply were loving daughters who signed paperwork to have their mothers admitted to a nursing home.
Gov. Moore launches Longevity Ready Maryland, a landmark state plan to support thriving aging population
08/13/25 at 03:00 AMGov. Moore launches Longevity Ready Maryland, a landmark state plan to support thriving aging population The Bay Net, Annapolis, MD; by Governor Wes Moore; 7/30/25 Governor Wes Moore today launched Longevity Ready Maryland, the state’s first comprehensive, 10-year multisector plan to coordinate services and policies that support Maryland’s growing population of older adults. ... Longevity Ready Maryland is a collaborative, long-term plan that aims to support the work of service providers by consolidating resources; coordinating efforts across government, businesses, and communities; and transforming systems of care to more sustainably accommodate a greater number of older Marylanders. To advance the objectives of the plan, the Maryland Department of Aging will work to encourage collaboration between state agencies, support local initiatives, and improve access to home- and community-based services.
Amazon documentary exposes 'neglect and pain' in many nursing homes. It's only going to get worse.
08/12/25 at 03:00 AMAmazon documentary exposes 'neglect and pain' in many nursing homes. It's only going to get worse. Morningstar; by Jessica Hall; 8/9/25 Susie Singer Carter's mom, Norma Pecora, suffered from Alzheimer's disease for 16 years and spent the last five years of her life in a nursing home. She died at age 89 after enduring sepsis, urinary-tract infections, bed sores and dehydration at a five-star facility in Los Angeles. ... In a new three-part documentary streaming on Amazon Prime (AMZN) called "No Country for Old People: A Nursing Home Expose," Carter walks viewers through her mom's early life, including her time as a singer for Capitol Records, as well as her final months - when she suffered from infections and other complications that required emergency hospitalizations while being cared for at a nursing home.
CMS Final Rules for 2026: Becker's Summaries
08/06/25 at 03:00 AMCMS drops 3 final payment rules for 2026: 15 things to know Becker's Hospital Review; by Alan Condon; 8/4/25 CMS has released three final payment rules with various updates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities, hospices and inpatient psychiatric facilities for fiscal year 2026. ...
Assisted living fire with multiple fatalities a reminder to have evacuation plan, expert says
08/05/25 at 03:00 AMAssisted living fire with multiple fatalities a reminder to have evacuation plan, expert says McKnights Senior Living; by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 7/15/25 A five-alarm fire at a Massachusetts assisted living community in which nine people died and at least 30 were injured is a “realistic reminder” for senior living providers to make sure they have evacuation plans that are practiced and up to date, according to one expert. Stan Szpytek, president of Fire and Life Safety Inc. and a former deputy fire chief and fire marshal, told McKnight’s Senior Living that he was “horrified” to see the death toll, adding that multiple fatalities in buildings equipped with properly working fire suppression systems “has never occurred,” according to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association. ... “Smoke kills more people than fire does everyday in America,” Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said during a press conference.
Bipartisan bill offers ‘meaningful’ immigration reform that could help address senior living workforce needs, leaders say
08/05/25 at 03:00 AMBipartisan bill offers ‘meaningful’ immigration reform that could help address senior living workforce needs, leaders say McKnights Senior Living; by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 7/1/25 A bipartisan immigration reform bill proposing a pathway to legal resident status for certain undocumented immigrants — including direct care workers — is earning the support of the senior living and care industry. The recently re-introduced Dignity Act of 2025 “offers the solution to our immigration crisis: secure the border, stop illegal immigration and provide an earned opportunity for long-term immigrants to stay here and work,” sponsor Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) had said in introducing the bill. [Its co-sponsor is] Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX).
The effects of private equity ownership in U.S. nursing homes quality and financial performance: A systematic review
08/02/25 at 03:00 AMThe effects of private equity ownership in U.S. nursing homes quality and financial performance: A systematic reviewHealth Policy; by Gregory N. Orewa, Aizhan Karabukayeva, Rohit Pradhan, Itopa Jimoh, Robert Weech-Maldonado; 7/25Private equity (PE) investment in U.S. nursing homes has increased significantly over the past two decades. The emergence of this novel ownership model has prompted concerns regarding its effects on nursing home performance, especially quality... Across studies, PE ownership was linked to higher number of deficiencies, increased hospitalization rates, and higher mortality, although some improvements in care processes were noted. Financial outcomes showed initial financial gains but long-term challenges, primarily due to high debt loads... Findings suggest that PE strategies may prioritize short-term profitability, which may compromise quality of care in some instances. These findings highlight the need for financial transparency, and reimbursement models that incentivize long-term quality.
Financial performance of rural and urban nursing homes: A comparative analysis
08/02/25 at 03:00 AMFinancial performance of rural and urban nursing homes: A comparative analysisThe Journal of Rural Health; by Gregory N. Orewa, Rohit Pradhan, Akbar Ghiasi, Shivani Gupta, Robert Weech-Maldonado; 7/25The financial sustainability of nursing homes is increasingly critical as the aging US population continues to grow. Rural facilities often encounter more significant economic challenges than urban counterparts. This study investigates the disparities in financial performance between rural and urban nursing homes in the United States, emphasizing the influence of organizational and environmental factors. A comprehensive understanding of these differences is necessary for the implementation of effective policy and management interventions... Rural nursing homes had lower operating margins than urban facilities in unadjusted models. However, after adjusting for organizational factors such as size, occupancy, and payer mix, the rural–urban difference was no longer significant. Environmental factors, including population demographics and income levels, contributed to financial disparities. COVID-19 exacerbated financial challenges, disproportionately affecting rural facilities... Financial disparities between rural and urban nursing homes are not solely due to geographical location, but also stem from structural challenges. These insights have significant policy implications suggesting that addressing reimbursement rates, operational efficiency, and resource allocation is crucial to ensure the financial sustainability and quality care for aging populations.
The complexity of multi-service organizations
08/01/25 at 03:00 AMThe complexity of multi-service organizations Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Christ Comeaux with Rebecca Ramsy and Mark Jarman-Howe; 7/30/25 Rebecca Ramsay and Mark Jarman-Howe, two dynamic leaders who are navigating the evolving world of hospice and multi-service healthcare with vision and heart, share their experiences in managing diverse service lines, emphasizing the importance of culture, workforce resilience, and community engagement. Rebecca and Mark discuss the challenges of balancing mission and margin while fostering innovation and collaboration. The conversation underscores the importance of strategic planning, mentorship, and understanding regulatory frameworks to navigate the healthcare landscape effectively.
Medicare Advantage growth drives changes in post-acute care
08/01/25 at 03:00 AMMedicare Advantage growth drives changes in post-acute care Managed Healthcare Executive; by Briana Contreras; 7/28/25 A new report released today by Trella Health revealed major shifts are underway in post-acute care as Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment grows, care transitions evolve and providers navigate the challenges of value-based care. The Post-Acute Care Industry Trend Report looked at national and state-level trends in home health, hospice and skilled nursing using the latest Medicare claims and enrollment data. One of the most significant shifts is the continued rise of MA enrollment. The report shared that as of February 2025, more than half of Medicare beneficiaries (55.4%) are enrolled in MA plans, with 30 states reporting MA enrollment over 50%. This shift is changing how patients access care—more so in home health.
Terminally ill nursing home patients face needless ER visits, hospital stays
07/31/25 at 03:00 AMTerminally ill nursing home patients face needless ER visits, hospital stays HealthDay; by Dennis Thompson; 7/28/25 Terminally ill nursing home residents are being hounded to their graves with needless trips to the hospital, a new study says. About 80% of ER visits by terminally ill nursing home residents are potentially avoidable, researchers report in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. Likewise, nearly one-third of hospitalizations among these residents were needless, the study says. Pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sepsis commonly resulted in needless trips to the hospital for terminally ill patients, but better health care and management at nursing homes could have kept these people out of the hospital, researchers argue.
Why more seniors are going broke in the last 5 years of life
07/29/25 at 03:00 AMWhy more seniors are going broke in the last 5 years of life SavingAdvice.com; by Riley Jones; 7/27/25 ... According to recent data, more seniors than ever are entering the last five years of life with little to no savings, and some are accumulating serious debt. Despite years of work, careful budgeting, and modest living, the final chapter of life is becoming one of the most financially devastating. ...
Post-acute care faces labor shortage amid immigration scrutiny
07/24/25 at 03:00 AMPost-acute care faces labor shortage amid immigration scrutiny Modern Healthcare, Post-Acute Care; by Diane Eastabrook; 7/23/25 Nursing homes and home care operators are scrambling to find replacements for foreign-born workers no longer eligible to work in the U.S. due to changes in immigration policy. Providers in Boston, Atlanta and other cities with large populations of immigrants, and Haitians in particular, say the loss of foreign-born workers in an already tight job market is making it increasingly difficult to meet the growing demand for care — and will likely drive up care costs. Last month the Homeland Security Department began notifying more than 500,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans that it terminated a Biden-era program that allowed them to live and work in the U.S. It said those who have not attained legal status to remain in the U.S. outside of the program must leave immediately. Despite court challenges, the federal government also aims to end another program in early September that grants temporary protected status to Haitians and Venezuelans who have lived in the U.S. for more than a decade. [Full access might require subscription.]
51 healthcare leaders’ takes on doing more with less
07/21/25 at 03:00 AM51 healthcare leaders’ takes on doing more with less Becker's Hospital Review; by Allie Woldenberg, Kelly Gooch, Mariah Taylor, Giles Bruce, Kristin Kuchno, and Andrew Cass; 7/17/25 It’s a directive that hospitals and health systems of every size know well — whether sprawling academic medical centers, multistate nonprofit systems or rural, independent 25-bed hospitals. While the phrase isn’t new, the urgency behind it is intensifying. The nation’s healthcare workforce remains fragile, forcing leaders to distinguish between staffing gaps that are temporary hurdles or structural limitations. Revenue projections for health systems have shifted dramatically ... Against this backdrop, Becker’s set out to understand how health system leaders across the U.S. are interpreting and enacting the mandate to “do more with less” today. From June 9 to July 15, we spoke with executives across the country, in every type of market, hospital, and health system, to hear how they are navigating this evolving landscape. ...Editor's Note: Scan through these with a sharp eye toward improving the quality of patient care while "doing more with less." I applaud many of these leaders for not just focusing on cutting costs, but for using these crucial changes as a vehicle to improve patient care.
A look at nursing facility characteristics between 2015 and 2024 - KFF
07/21/25 at 03:00 AMA look at nursing facility characteristics between 2015 and 2024 - KFF KFF; by Priya Chidambaram and Alice Burns; 12/6/24 In a KFF Issue Brief on nursing facility characteristics over time, KFF has described nursing homes and the people living in them. Data is pulled from Care Compare (Nursing Homes) and CASPER (Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports). Data includes the number of certified nursing facilities, hours of care by nurse staff type over years, survey deficiencies in nursing homes, and the share of residents by primary payer. The study confirms that Medicaid is the primary payer for 63% of nursing facility residents in 2024, followed by 24% for private and other payers, and 13% by Medicare. As reported by KFF, “KFF polling shows that four in ten adults overall incorrectly believe that Medicare is the primary source of insurance coverage for low-income people who need nursing facility care.” Guest Editor's Note, Judi Lund Person: As we think about the impact of Medicaid cuts on nursing home residents, it is important to note that Medicaid is the primary payer for 63% of nursing home residents as of 2024. In some states, that percentage may be higher. See the KFF article.
[Canada] Electronic decision support for deprescribing in older adults living in long-term care-A stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial
07/19/25 at 03:05 AM[Canada] Electronic decision support for deprescribing in older adults living in long-term care-A stepped-wedge cluster randomized trialJAMA Network Open; Emily G. McDonald, MD, MSc; Justine L. Estey, MSc; Cody Davenport, MSc; Émilie Bortolussi-Courval, RN; Jeffrey Gaudet, MSc; Pierre Philippe Wilson Registe, MSc, MPH; Todd C. Lee, MD, MPH; Carole Goodine, PharmD; 5/25Potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) occurs when medications that carry a higher risk of harm than benefit are prescribed. It occurs more often among older adults in the setting of polypharmacy (taking multiple medications) and is costly and harmful. PIP and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) contribute to excess adverse drug events, such as falls, fractures, cognitive decline, hospitalization, and death [and] the problem is more pronounced for older adults living in nursing homes (long-term care [LTC] homes). Depending on the screening criteria used, in some studies, the prevalence ranges from 67.8% to 87.7% of nursing home residents. Electronically generated, individualized reports that contained prioritized opportunities for deprescribing in older adults were paired with preexisting quarterly medication reviews [and] this study found that electronic decision support paired with the usual workflow could render the deprescribing process scalable and effective.
Video palliative care improves symptoms but not outcomes in rural hospitals, study reveals
07/17/25 at 03:00 AMVideo palliative care improves symptoms but not outcomes in rural hospitals, study reveals McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Donna Shryer; 7/15/25 Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham recently studied whether video consultations could improve palliative care for patients age 55 and older in small hospitals lacking specialized end-of-life services. Participants had an average age of 73. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that culturally tailored video consultations — designed with community input to reflect patients’ cultural values and communication preferences — led to a clinically meaningful but not statistically significant reduction in symptom distress. ... [The] video consultations had little effect on hospital readmissions or emergency department visits. The research addressed a critical healthcare gap, as the study notes that only 70% of the Deep South has access to palliative care services, compared to 85-94% in other US regions. This disparity particularly affects rural communities where specialized end-of-life care is often unavailable.
9 dead, dozens hurt in fire at assisted-living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts: Officials
07/15/25 at 03:00 AM9 dead, dozens hurt in fire at assisted-living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts: Officials ABC News; by Kevin Shalvey and Emily Shapiro; 7/14/25 Nine people have been killed and dozens are hurt after a five-alarm fire tore through an assisted-living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, officials said. Firefighters, police and other responders descended on the scene of the Sunday night fire at the Gabriel House assisted-living facility, where they found multiple people "hanging out of the windows, screaming and begging to be rescued," Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said. The front of the building was covered in heavy smoke and flames, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said. "This was not a situation where teams arrived and people were able to get out easily -- all of these people needed assistance," Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said. "Many were in wheelchairs, many were immobile, many had oxygen tanks." About 12 "non-ambulatory residents were physically carried out by our officers," according to Fall River police.
When a fall becomes a death sentence for nursing home residents
07/10/25 at 03:00 AMWhen a fall becomes a death sentence for nursing home residents Justice News Flash; by Harve J.; 7/8/25 For nursing home residents, a trip to the hospital can be far more than a temporary setback it often marks the beginning of the end. According to data reviewed in a national nursing home longevity study by Gruber Law Offices, nearly 30% of older adults die within a month of hospital discharge. These figures suggest that transitions in care, rather than stabilizing vulnerable patients, may be accelerating their decline. ... Each year, nursing homes report between 100 and 200 falls, with the average resident experiencing 2.6 falls. These aren’t isolated accidents they’re indicators of systemic risk. Many residents already face mobility challenges, and understaffing makes close monitoring difficult. The result is a cycle: a fall leads to hospitalization, hospitalization increases frailty, and frailty increases the chance of further injury or death.
Humana agrees to purchase bankrupt Florida provider The Villages Health for $50m
07/10/25 at 03:00 AMHumana agrees to purchase bankrupt Florida provider The Villages Health for $50m Healthcare Dive; by Rebecca Pifer; 7/8/25 The insurer’s bid is preliminary and kicks off an auction for the debt-laden provider, which decided to undergo bankruptcy after discovering it owed Medicare hundreds of millions of dollars.