Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Post-Acute Care News | Nursing Home News.”
Raising the standard of Arizona’s dementia care
09/10/25 at 03:00 AMRaising the standard of Arizona’s dementia care Lovin' Life; by Lin Sue Flood; 9/7/25 Arizona is setting a bold new standard to better support families impacted by dementia. A groundbreaking state mandate requires all memory care facilities to provide up to 12 hours of specialized dementia training to their staff, plus four hours of continuing education each year. This extensive training combines online video modules with hands-on, in-person skills sessions. Hospice of the Valley’s experienced Dementia Team is leading the way as one of the agencies the Arizona Department of Health Services has approved to deliver this comprehensive training. The nonprofit organization is unique in offering it as a free community service.
The hidden crisis in serious illness care and how we fix it
09/10/25 at 02:00 AMThe hidden crisis in serious illness care and how we fix itMedCityNews; by Dr. Mihir Kamdar; 9/7/25 Every year, millions of Americans with serious illnesses find themselves caught in a dangerous limbo: not sick enough to qualify for hospice, but far too ill to be served by our traditional healthcare system. The result is care that’s expensive, fragmented, and often traumatic. These patients are shuffled between a revolving door of emergency rooms and ICUs, enduring a cascade of aggressive interventions that don’t match their goals or improve their quality of life. This approach not only undermines quality, it drives healthcare spending through the roof, particularly in the last year of life. This is the hidden crisis in serious illness care. And it’s getting worse. At the root of the problem is what many in the field call the “hospice cliff.” ...
Training and practice gaps in nursing home palliative care: A cross-sectional study
09/09/25 at 03:00 AMTraining and practice gaps in nursing home palliative care: A cross-sectional study Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS); by Manali Saraiya, Molly A. Nowels, Rose L. Carlson, Jerad H. Moxley, Catherine A. Riffin, Evan Plys, M. Carrington Reid, Isabella Hastings, Taimur Mirza, Ronald D. Adelman, Daniel Shalev; 9/7/25 We conducted a cross-sectional survey of clinical employees (N = 398) at seven NHs within a single integrated health system in New York State to (1) gauge attitudes toward and knowledge about palliative care, (2) estimate the extent of engagement with advance care planning, and (3) elicit perceptions of the most valuable components of palliative care for NH residents. ... Despite support for palliative care, gaps in knowledge and clinical engagement persist and vary by discipline. Discipline-tailored training and program design may improve palliative care delivery in NHs and help ensure more consistent, value-aligned care for residents with serious illness.
Understanding trauma in the context of direct care work in nursing homes
09/06/25 at 03:35 AMUnderstanding trauma in the context of direct care work in nursing homesJournal of Applied Gerontology; by Alfred Boakye, Jennifer Craft Morgan, Candace L. Kemp, Antonius D. Skipper; 8/25Direct care workers (DCWs) experience job quality challenges such as heavy workload, low pay, and few benefits. Layered risks such as the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism have impacted DCWs, made them more vulnerable, and increased turnover and the precarity of the long-term care system and residents’ care. Findings suggest that DCWs are often crippled with challenges stemming from the impact of COVID-19, work-related factors, and personal factors. Understanding the intersection of trauma provides a detailed contextual description of care work, which is important for developing practical coping strategies, either at the personal or organizational levels, and developing more refined trauma-informed initiatives to build resilience and support DCWs.
Golden Age Manor’s new hospice suite aims to give families comfort in final days
09/03/25 at 03:00 AMGolden Age Manor’s new hospice suite aims to give families comfort in final days Amery Free Press, Amery, WI; by Justin Runberg; 8/28/25 With a ribbon cutting set for Sept. 4, Golden Age Manor’s newly completed hospice suite will soon open its doors, offering families a more home-like space to spend time with loved ones during end-of-life care. In partnership with Adoray Home Health & Hospice, the project has been completed, and an open house will be held for the community to view the new addition.
PruittHealth strengthens senior care with new acquisition
09/03/25 at 03:00 AMPruittHealth strengthens senior care with new acquisition Investors Hangout; by Dylan Bailey; 8/28/25 PruittHealth ... has revealed its acquisition of The Lodge of Warner Robins. This strategic move marks the third skilled nursing center acquired from Debbie Meade and her family-run organization, Health Management. ... The acquisition allows patients access to a comprehensive Continuum of Care that encompasses ... hospice and palliative care, pharmacy, therapy services, a Medicare Advantage Plan, PruittHealth Premier, and community-based services for qualified Medicaid recipients through PruittHealth Home First.
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.
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.
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.
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. ...
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).
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.
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.]
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.