News
SNFs Continue Education Efforts for COVID-19 Vaccine
As skilled nursing facilities prepare to vaccinate employees under the federal vaccine mandate, they are also continuously educating staff in hopes of increasing vaccine uptake. Skilled Nursing News reports the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is expected to release additional guidance next month on the mandate. This decision to continue vaccine education is…
Read MoreSNFs Limit Admissions Due to Workforce Challenges
The American Health Care Association and National Center of Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) recently survey over 1,100 skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Skilled Nursing News reports, the survey results discovered most nursing homes are requesting staff to work extra shifts due to ongoing staffing shortages and have limited intake of new admissions. Over 78% of…
Read MoreIncreased Demand for Senior Living
McKnight’s reports there is in an increase in demand for senior living and care in the third quarter of 2021. Lu Chen, Moody’s economist, recently published a report that announced these findings. In comparison to pre-pandemic averages, vacancy rates are high. However, they fell slightly in the second quarter of 2021 to 16.9% from 17%.…
Read MoreCDC Recommends Booster Shots for Nursing Home Staff and Residents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made a recommendation for administering the Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot to nursing home staff and residents that qualify. McKnight’s reports these boosters are expected to be administered soon. Rochelle Walensky M.D., Director of CDC, made the recommendation of giving the booster shot to residents of nursing homes…
Read MoreCMS Launches New Tool to Compare SNF Vaccination Rates
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched a new tool to make nursing home COVID-19 vaccination data easily accessible. Skilled Nursing News reports data available includes percentage of staff and residents vaccinated as well as state and national percentages. This tool will also allow comparison of vaccination rates for facilities that receive…
Read MoreOccupancy Rates for SNFs Decline
Occupancy rates were on the rise for skilled nursing facilities for the past few months. This was exciting for the long-term care industry that had been struggling with census numbers since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care (NIC) reported in August that occupancy rates had increased…
Read MoreNew Report Advises SNF Employers to Invest in Staff
Long-term care providers have been struggling with staffing shortages since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. McKnight’s writes about a new report published by Marsh McClennan that urges employers of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) among others to invest in their employees. By investing in their employees, these providers can better equip themselves to survive these…
Read More$25.5 Billion Funds To Be Made Available To Health Care Providers
The Biden administration announced this week that they will be releasing remaining funds from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to health care providers including skilled nursing facilities. Skilled Nursing News reports $25.5 billion will be given to providers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the $25.5 billion, $17 billion will come from phase four of…
Read MoreSNFs Struggle With Federal Regulations and Surveyors
The recent mandate for nursing home staff to be vaccinated has left many operators feeling frustrated. The mandate applies to only long-term care facilities. Leaders in the skilled nursing industry feel they are being unfairly targeted as the mandate should apply to all health care providers. Skilled Nursing News reports nursing home operators feel “regulated…
Read MoreExercising 30 Minutes a Day Helps Stroke Survivors Live Longer
Life after a stroke can be full of challenges but certain measures can help one live a better life. A recently conducted study concluded that thirty minutes of walking or exercising in a day can cut the mortality risk by fifty percent for stroke survivors. McKnight’s reports this study was conducted with both stroke survivors…
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