Just like last year, 2021 was dominated by the coronavirus. So also like 2020, it’s not surprising that COVID-19 popped up more than once as a topic of our most-read columns this year when we examined...
Your favorite columns of 2020
By
Lois A. Bowers
Dec 22, 2020
In a year dominated by the coronavirus, it’s not surprising that COVID-19 popped up more than once as a topic of our most-read columns of 2020 when we examined analytics related to website visitors,...
HHS OIG: Many long-term care facilities requiring negative COVID-19 tests before accepting hospital discharges
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 07, 2020
With cases of COVID-19 increasing in many areas around the country, “many” hospitals are reporting difficulty in discharging patients to skilled nursing facilities or “facilities with lower-level...
Public health emergency extended until July 20, expected to last through 2021
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 22, 2021
The federal public health emergency due to COVID-19 has been extended until July 20, effective Wednesday, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
OSHA’s new COVID-19 inspection, whistleblower program targets ALFs, CCRCs and SNFs
By
Lois A. Bowers
Mar 15, 2021
Assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities and skilled nursing facilities are among the targets of a new Occupational Safety and Health Administration program designed to focus...
Changes open COVID vaccination to independent living, affordable senior housing residents
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jan 13, 2021
In a move that should open COVID-19 vaccination to independent living and affordable senior housing residents across the country, officials with the federal vaccine development, manufacturing and distribution...
With a second round of stimulus checks on the way to many Americans, the Federal Trade Commission is advising consumers to report “grabby” assisted living and nursing home operators who try to take...
AARP lobbies for pandemic-related changes at long-term care facilities
By
Lois A. Bowers
Dec 08, 2020
The AARP is using its second national Virtual Lobby Week in part to urge Congress to ensure that long-term care facilities are testing staff members and residents for COVID-19, providing personal protective...
Operator ‘strongly’ encourages COVID-19 testing after one resident dies, another tests positive...
By
Lois A. Bowers
Mar 11, 2020
A Seattle senior living operator is “strongly” encouraging residents and staff members to be tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after one resident died and another tested positive for the...
421,000 COVID tests headed to assisted living communities from the federal government
By
Lois A. Bowers
Nov 17, 2020
The federal government will send more than 421,000 rapid-results antigen COVID-19 tests to assisted living communities this week, Admiral Brett P. Giroir, M.D., assistant secretary for health at the U.S....