Author: Charles Adams

A major insurance firm is locked in a federal court battle, arguing it shouldn’t have to foot the bill for a settlement reached by one of its client nursing homes. The dispute centers on whether the insurer’s approval was necessary before the settlement could be finalized. Nightingale Healthcare’s Arlington Health and Rehabilitation faced a negligence lawsuit in county court filed by Donald Stallings, which resulted in a nearly $3.3 million jury verdict against both Nightingale and its management arm. In a move that could have been aimed at mitigating further legal costs and obligations, Nightingale subsequently negotiated a settlement. The…

A bipartisan bill gaining traction in Congress could soon provide a significant financial boost to individuals seeking careers as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and other direct care workers. The “Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act” proposes expanding the permissible uses of state 529 savings plans to cover the costs associated with professional credentialing programs. This move, if enacted, could alleviate financial barriers and help address the persistent workforce shortages plaguing the nursing home industry. Currently, 529 plans, initially designed to save for college expenses, have seen their scope broaden over the years to include vocational training and apprenticeship programs.…

In a strategic partnership poised to redefine the landscape of CNA training, the Arizona Health Care Association (AHCA) has teamed up with Bryan University to launch innovative “micro-certificates.” This initiative targets career CNAs, providing them with specialized knowledge without requiring them to pursue advanced degrees, and signals a potential nationwide shift in workforce development within the nursing home industry. The collaboration, facilitated by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, has resulted in the creation of three focused micro-courses: Behavioral Health, Infection Control, and Respiratory Care. These 8- to 12-hour modules are designed to be accessible via mobile devices, allowing CNAs…

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s surprise bid for New York City mayor has reignited scrutiny over his administration’s handling of nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current NYC Mayor Eric Adams, addressing reporters on Monday, stated that Cuomo must “answer” for his decisions regarding nursing home deaths, but stopped short of saying it should disqualify him from the race. “I’ve met with some of the nursing home family members and advocates. There’s some things that we want to do with them. But he has to answer that question on the trail,” Adams said when asked about the undercounting of…

A significant reduction in the federal workforce, impacting numerous agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is raising concerns within the nursing home industry. The layoffs, initiated by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency, are part of the Trump administration’s effort to downsize the government. While the exact number of HHS employees affected remains unclear, reports indicate thousands of layoffs, including 1,300 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to Stat. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a key research institution focusing on diseases prevalent in long-term care settings like Alzheimer’s and cancer,…

A new study reveals a concerning rise in dementia-related stigmatization on Twitter, particularly in North America, coinciding with and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers analyzing over 44,000 tweets found a significant increase in posts expressing stigmatizing views about individuals with dementia, even among caregivers themselves. “The findings uncover a worrying trend of growing dementia-related stigmatization among the caregivers, manifested by caregivers internalizing publicly-held stigma and projecting negative stereotypes externally as a means to devalue others,” states the study, published in Nature. The research, which examined tweets from 2013 to 2022, categorized posts into three themes: caregiving challenges, caregiver inspiration strategies,…

Flu activity in the United States remains elevated, with older adults experiencing the highest hospitalization rates, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This trend underscores the vulnerability of this population to influenza and the importance of preventative measures within nursing home settings. The CDC’s weekly update, released on February 7th, reveals that flu-related hospitalization rates are on the rise across all age groups. The current rate, tied with the 2017-2018 season, represents the highest weekly peak since the 2010-2011 season. However, the most concerning statistic is the disproportionate impact on older adults,…

Skilled Care Journal – The FDA’s recent approval of Ozempic for adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) marks a significant development with potential implications for the nursing home industry. This decision makes Ozempic the first GLP-1 treatment option for this patient population, addressing a critical need given the high prevalence of CKD among diabetic nursing home residents. Ozempic, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has demonstrated promising results in clinical trials. Novo Nordisk, the drug’s maker, reports that Ozempic reduced the risk of death from CKD and major cardiac events by 24% in people with diabetes.…

Colonial Heights, VA – The ongoing investigation into alleged elder abuse and neglect at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has resulted in a 19th staff member facing criminal charges. Michelle Beddoe, a nurse manager at the facility, was arrested this week and charged with abuse of a vulnerable adult resulting in death. This development comes just over a month after a large-scale raid by law enforcement on the nursing home in December. The charges against Beddoe stem from the death of a 74-year-old resident with cerebral palsy and diabetes. Investigators allege that the resident’s death was caused by sepsis…

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are increasingly relying on prior authorizations, creating significant hurdles for nursing homes and their patients, according to a recent analysis by KFF. This trend continues despite growing scrutiny from federal agencies and lawmakers. The KFF analysis revealed a stark disparity in prior authorization requirements between MA plans and traditional Medicare. In 2023, MA plans required prior authorizations approximately 125 times more often than traditional Medicare. Specifically, MA plans averaged nearly two prior authorization determinations per enrollee, while traditional Medicare averaged only about 0.01 per enrollee. This translates to nearly 50 million prior authorization requests for MA…