News
Man Hugs After 8 Years Thanks to OTA Students
After suffering from a stroke eight years ago, Kevin Eubanks was left with weakness in his left arm which inhibited his ability to hug among other things. Knowing how much her father missed giving hugs and had difficulty performing daily activities, Emily Sisco, occupational therapy assistant and adjunct professor at Arkansas State University, gave the…
Read MoreRehab Therapists Applaud Results from PDPM Outcomes
A recent study measured the impact of the new Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) that was introduced in October 2019. McKnight’s reports researchers discovered nursing home residents received 13% less therapy minutes, but this did not adversely affect outcomes or rehospitalization rates. This confirms that the Medicare payment system was as effective as necessary six months…
Read MoreNew Study Concludes Protection Against Death for Vaccinated At-Risk Seniors
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a study to assess the risk of death caused by COVID-19 for those who are at most risk including seniors ages 65 and over with immunosuppression or comorbidities. McKnight’s reports the study concluded that risk of death is very rare among these groups if they are…
Read MoreBooster Uptake Among Residents at 67% in Nursing Homes while Staff Lag Behind at 27%
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently held a stakeholder call to discuss recent developments on the COVID-19 pandemic. Skilled Nursing News reports both agencies shared concerns regarding low booster uptake rates among nursing home staff and the surge in infections due to the omicron…
Read MoreWork Restrictions Relaxed for Boosted Nursing Home Staff
New federal health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is relaxing work restrictions for some skilled nursing staff. McKnight’s reports, staff who have received the COVID-19 booster shot will have less restrictions when returning to work compared to those who are unvaccinated or vaccinated but have not received the booster. Arjun…
Read MoreBooster Shots Protect SNF Residents 10 Times Better
New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate good news for nursing home residents who have received the COVID-19 booster shot. As reported by McKnight’s, residents who are vaccinated against the coronavirus with the booster shot are 10 times as less likely to get infected. This good news is welcomed…
Read MoreNursing Homes Close Units Due to Staffing Shortages
The skilled nursing industry has faced many obstacles since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the industry saw a slight increase in occupancy rates this year, the industry as a whole is experiencing unprecedented instability, reports McKnight’s. Operators are still struggling to fill beds. In fact, they don’t even know how many beds…
Read MoreSNFs Hopeful for Census Recovery by 2023
With new emerging variants and a lingering COVID-19 pandemic, skilled nursing facilities have been struggling with occupancy rates. Skilled Nursing News reports, operators are now less hopeful of reaching pre-pandemic rates next year and instead are focusing on the potential recovery in the year 2023. Earlier, the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care…
Read MoreSNFs Urged to Provide Booster Shots to Residents and Staff
Skilled nursing facilities are being advised to vaccinate all eligible residents and staff with the booster shot by the end of the year. McKnight’s reports a panel of health care experts believe this will provide protection against the COVID-19 omicron variant. Public health experts worry about the impact of the omicron variant on the elderly…
Read MoreCMS Allows Nursing Homes to Limit Visitations
Nursing homes are now allowed to restrict some visitations. McKnight’s reports the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is making “very limited and rare exceptions” for nursing homes. With the recent surge of the COVID-19 omicron variant, the three major nursing home associations made a special request to CMS to allow some restrictions for…
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