This year I want to thank the heroes of 2020–frontline caregivers. These selfless healthcare providers have sacrificed more than anyone. They risk their lives every shift during this pandemic. Thank you. Fatigue and Turnover Staffing issues plague the nursing home industry. The coronavirus pandemic made it worse. Staffing has been among the top concerns and expenses
Providers across the country are pleading with residents’ families to find alternative ways to celebrate Thanksgiving to prevent further disaster at nursing homes. McKnight’s reported on CMS’ recommendation that nursing home residents should not leave during the Thanksgiving holiday. The plea comes as the COVID-19 death toll approaches 100,000 in long-term care settings and cases are
HCBS Skilled Nursing News reported that the nation’s top Medicare and Medicaid official called on states to boost their home- and community-based services (HCBS) for the elderly. The impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes has exposed a key flaw in the overall system. “The COVID-19 crisis has shone a harsh light on the human costs
Criminal Charges Nursing home corporations sought and received immunity for neglect and abuse during the pandemic. However, criminal charges can be filed. This seems inconsistent. Last month, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced the first COVID-19 criminal charges against nursing home officials. A grand jury indicted former Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Superintendent Bennett Walsh and Medical Director Dr.
Quality of Caregivers One of the biggest problems in the nursing home industry is staffing. Not just the amount or quantity of the caregivers but the competence and quality of the caregivers. Conducting proper criminal background checks, license checks, and proper hiring practices are necessary. Nursing homes should not hire sexual predators. Facilities cannot allow
Systemic Short-Staffing NPR had a fantastic article about the nursing home industry’s pleas for additional bailout money. We cannot continue to allow the waste, fraud, and abuse. Nursing homes were unprepared and overwhelmed by the coronavirus. Recent studies show that for-profit owners recklessly endangered residents by cutting corners while siphoning taxpayer money to owner/operators, related
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