Author: Riley Donovan

LONGVIEW, TX – In a disturbing incident that underscores the ongoing challenges facing the nursing home industry, a 34-year-old certified nursing assistant (CNA) has been arrested for allegedly restraining a resident with a pair of leggings at Whispering Pines Lodge in Longview, Texas. Simone Monique Barnes has been charged with unlawful restraint, exposing the resident to potential serious bodily injury. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by KLTV, the incident came to light on March 6 when a dayshift CNA discovered a 55-year-old resident tied to her bed with black leggings at approximately 8:15 a.m. The resident, who suffers from…

Florida’s nursing home industry is bracing for potential devastation as federal Medicaid cuts loom, threatening the delicate balance of care for the state’s vulnerable elderly population. With Medicaid serving as the lifeline for two-thirds of Florida’s nursing home residents, the proposed cuts could trigger a domino effect, impacting everything from facility operations to the very fabric of senior care. “Any significant cuts could devastate the care we provide,” warns Shawn Corley, president of Solaris HealthCare Properties, which operates 20 long-term care facilities in Florida. “You could see financial instability for providers like us, and that can lead to closures of…

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing service integration and cutting costs, Trinity Senior Services (TSS) has brought its therapy services in-house at Milwaukee Catholic Home, marking a significant shift after 20 years of outsourcing. This decision, according to TSS Rehabilitation Services Director Jackie Grossoehme, has not only streamlined operations but also injected a new wave of energy into the workforce. “This shift has not only streamlined communication and care coordination but has also had a positive impact on staff morale, reenergizing the team by fostering a stronger sense of community and collaboration,” Grossoehme told McKnight’s Business Daily. This sentiment…

Mount Carmel, PA – A fire early Saturday morning at the Mount Carmel Senior Living Community in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, led to the evacuation of all residents and staff. Authorities reported that 20 individuals, including five first responders, 12 residents, and three staff members, were transported to local hospitals for evaluation. The Incident Emergency crews were dispatched just before 8:00 a.m. to the multi-alarm fire, which affected the senior living area of the facility. The entire building was evacuated swiftly, with law enforcement and staff members assisting in rescues. Fortunately, the fire was contained to one section and extinguished within…

A new bill could soon allow nursing home and assisted living residents in Florida to install personal surveillance cameras—commonly known as “granny cams”—in their private rooms. Filed by Republican State Senator Ileana Garcia for the upcoming 2025 legislative session, Senate Bill 64 (SB 64) aims to give families more oversight and peace of mind regarding the care of their loved ones. What the Bill Proposes Under the bill, residents would be allowed to install cameras at their own expense for both installation and removal. However, for residents sharing rooms, permission from their roommate is required. If a roommate disagrees, the…

Harrisburg, PA – A former workers’ compensation director at a Clinton County nursing home is under federal scrutiny for allegedly embezzling over $500,000 through a kickback arrangement involving a local physician. Paul D. Polen, 71, of Lock Haven, was charged in U.S. Middle District Court with conspiracy to steal from programs receiving federal funds. Polen has agreed to plead guilty and forfeit $628,450—a figure exceeding the estimated $528,450 loss. A History at Susque-View Home Polen worked at Susque-View Home Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for three decades, beginning as director of security and eventually overseeing its self-funded workers’ compensation program. His…

Pittsburgh, PA – Oxford Valley Health is making waves in the Pennsylvania elder care industry. The company, known for its upscale facilities and resident-centric approach, acquired 11 struggling nursing homes on October 29th and is already implementing a comprehensive revitalization plan. Forget fresh coats of paint and new computers – Oxford Valley is investing over $2 million to address systemic issues, prioritizing staff satisfaction, and overhauling the resident experience. This acquisition breathes new life into facilities that were facing a bleak future. With many Pennsylvania nursing homes struggling financially, Oxford Valley’s investment is a beacon of hope for residents and…

Pittsburgh PA – A high-stakes battle is brewing in the long-term care industry, and the casualties could be Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents. Oxford Valley Health, a company known for reviving struggling nursing homes, is attempting a daring rescue of 11 facilities facing closure. But their mission is under threat, not from financial woes, but from the very people entrusted to provide care: the unionized staff. Oxford Valley stepped in after the facilities’ previous owner, Guardian Healthcare, filed for bankruptcy. It was a lifeline for residents and a chance to revitalize struggling homes. But the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), representing…

Portland, OR – Federal authorities have charged a mother and daughter from Tigard, Oregon, with forcing three Haitian migrants, including a minor, into indentured servitude. Marie Gertrude Jean Valmont, 66, and Yolandita Marie Andre, 30, operated Velida’s Care Home, where they coerced the victims to work under harsh conditions for little or no pay. Trafficking Scheme Exposed Prosecutors allege Valmont and Andre lured two adults and a child from Haiti to the U.S. in September 2023. They promised jobs and a better future. After the victims arrived in Portland, Valmont and Andre took their immigration documents. The victims were then…

Trenton, NJ – New Jersey nursing homes have launched a legal battle against the state’s mandatory staffing law. The 2020 legislation, which sets strict staffing requirements, has come under fire for being both impractical and unconstitutional. Several facilities, supported by the Health Care Association of New Jersey (HCANJ), filed the lawsuit in Mercer County’s Superior Court. They argue that the law’s staffing demands are impossible to meet, especially given the ongoing workforce shortages made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unworkable Staffing Requirements The law mandates specific staffing ratios: one certified nursing assistant (CNA) for every eight residents during the day,…