Senior living’s challenge of omission and commission
By
John O'Connor
Sep 22, 2022
Long-term care could be made better with funding from Congress. But for now, it appears we’ll have to settle for a congressional commission.
How to improve senior living? Don’t just count the ways
By
John O'Connor
Feb 10, 2022
A new report offers so many specific ways assisted living can be improved. Any single item by itself can help. Collectively, they could significantly change the face of senior living — for the better.
Senior living’s grand illusion needs a reality check
By
John O'Connor
Dec 02, 2021
Senior living suffers from a grand illusion problem. Even in 2021, many of its practitioners insist it is primarily in the hospitality — rather than the healthcare — sector.
Senior living’s slide into the welfare class
By
John O'Connor
Sep 03, 2020
The push for support for assisted living from Uncle Sam is intensifying. But as any skilled care operator will remind you, Uncle Sam tends to be a very demanding business partner.
Senior living’s biggest challenge officially has been revealed
By
John O'Connor
Apr 25, 2019
A landmark study released this week paints a sobering portrait of senior living affordability for many older Americans. It also should send this strong message to many operators: Change or else.
Assisted living finds itself at troubling crossroads
By
John O'Connor
Apr 04, 2019
It’s no secret that more assisted living communities are competing with skilled care operators for high-need residents. But a recent piece in the New York Times is sure to raise troubling questions about...
Senior living operators may be worried about the wrong enforcer
By
John O'Connor
Mar 01, 2018
Nobody in the senior living industry wants federal standards and regulations, but signs increasingly suggest that states eventually might have to hand over the keys.
Why skilled care’s pain could be senior living’s gain
By
John O'Connor
Feb 15, 2018
If you can deliver post-acute care at a lower cost than the skilled care joint down the street, you just might find yourself swimming in a very nice new revenue stream.
Feds promise to enhance industry oversight in wake of GAO report
By
John O'Connor
Feb 09, 2018
Responding to a report that cites lax state oversight, federal officials said they will begin to monitor potentially dangerous incidents at senior living communities more closely.
Medicaid, the Trojan horse of senior living
By
John O'Connor
Feb 08, 2018
Like the citizens of Troy who failed to realize a hollow wooden horse contained something terrible, senior living operators have ignored the real threat Medicaid might unleash: federal rules and regulations.