Author: Blake Caldwell

New York, NY—The rural exodus, a phenomenon long associated with the flight of younger populations towards urban centers, has begun exerting a critical pressure on a sector essential for its most vulnerable residents: skilled nursing facilities. Across the nation’s pastoral expanses, these centers are waging a desperate fight for survival, battling not only the demographic shifts but also the economic and regulatory headwinds that have intensified in the wake of the pandemic. One stark statistic underlines the depth of the crisis: according to a 2022 report by the American Health Care Association, over 400 rural skilled nursing facilities have shuttered…

New York, NY—Nursing homes across the nation are facing a significant challenge, as the increasing reliance on agency workers to fill staffing voids disrupts the continuity of care critical for elderly residents. The issue, encapsulated in the phenomenon known as Lost in Translation: Agency Workers and Familiar Care Protocols, places both the well-being of residents and the efficiency of care facilities at risk. The heart of the matter lies in the unique needs and routines of each nursing home resident, which are deeply integrated into the care protocols established by permanent staff members. Agency workers, often brought in on a…

New York, NY—In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, nursing homes have been increasingly reliant on a temporary staffing model to fill gaps in their workforce. However, the continuous cycle of “onboarding” these short-term employees may be causing more harm than good for the facilities and the residents they serve. The concept of temporary staffing in healthcare isn’t new. Yet, its proliferation in nursing homes, driven by staff shortages and budget constraints, has raised significant concerns among industry experts. The challenges of this model mirror those across various sectors, but in healthcare, particularly in nursing homes, the stakes are exceptionally high.…

New York, NY—As the healthcare sector grapples with ongoing challenges, skilled nursing operators find themselves in uncertain waters, with financial pressures mounting and bankruptcy threats looming large. Amid a perfect storm of rising operational costs, labor shortages, and fluctuating reimbursement rates, industry insiders point to a handful of operators that might be teetering on the edge of financial ruin. The current climate is proving particularly harsh for skilled nursing facilities, which have long been operating on thin margins. A statement from the American Health Care Association (AHCA) highlights this distress, noting, “Nearly two-thirds of nursing homes are operating at a…

New York, NY—In the heart of the bustling city, where every sector strives for efficiency, the healthcare industry, particularly nursing homes, faces a pressing dilemma. The increasing reliance on agency workers to fill staffing gaps has sparked a contentious debate: Can these temporary staff truly understand and meet the unique needs of residents? A recent study suggests this model might be doing more harm than good, with significant repercussions for patient care quality. Agency workers, or temporary staff supplied by external agencies to cover shifts, have become a common solution to the chronic staffing shortages plaguing nursing homes across the…

New York, NY—Amid a wave of mergers and acquisitions, the skilled nursing facility (SNF) market appears to be moving towards an oligopoly, raising concerns about patient care quality, pricing, and decreased competition. Over the past decade, a significant consolidation trend has washed over the healthcare sector, with the skilled nursing market being a prime target for large conglomerates seeking to expand their healthcare portfolios. This trend was underscored by a report from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, which revealed that transaction volume in the skilled nursing space hit $4 billion in 2021, showcasing the market’s attractiveness…

New York, NY—In an industry already grappling with staffing shortages and increased demand due to an aging population, nursing homes across the nation are facing a new challenge that threatens to disrupt the delicate balance of care they strive to provide: the rise of staffing agencies. While these agencies promise a temporary solution to the persistent problem of understaffing, their increasing involvement in the nursing home sector may be causing more harm than good. The fragmented care resulting from their use is raising concerns among industry experts, caregivers, and families alike about the quality of care and its long-term effects…

New York, NY—Amid an ever-tightening financial vise, skilled nursing facilities across the United States are feeling the acute pressure on their operational margins, exacerbated by the increasing strain on Medicaid reimbursements. As one of the primary funding sources for skilled nursing care, Medicaid’s financial constraints are now prompting a widespread reevaluation of care delivery models in the sector. With the average cost of care outstripping Medicaid reimbursements, facilities are encountering profound challenges in maintaining quality care while ensuring financial sustainability. According to a recent report by the American Health Care Association (AHCA), Medicaid underfunded nursing home care by $7 billion…

New York, NY—Across the nation, nursing homes are increasingly relying on agency nurses to fill staffing gaps caused by a shortage of healthcare professionals, a trend accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. While agency nurses play a critical role in maintaining patient care levels, their growing presence in nursing homes has sparked concerns about the quality of individualized care residents receive. This shift not only raises questions about continuity of care but also about the long-term impact on the nursing profession and the well-being of the elderly population. Agency nurses, who may work at multiple facilities within a short time frame,…

New York, NY—In the throes of an ever-escalating wage war, skilled nursing facilities across the nation are grappling with a formidable challenge: can they compete with hospitals for the medical professionals essential to their operation? With a health care sector still reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this question has never been more critical. The battleground is set over wages and working conditions, as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and hospitals vie for a limited pool of nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and other health care workers. At the heart of this competition is a stark wage disparity. According…