As assisted living regulations evolve and tighten, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements fluctuate, and healthcare reform begins to take effect, many states are facing their own challenges as they continue to develop, operate, and implement new rules. Here is a collection of long-term care related stories from across the nation.
From the Florida Sun Sentinel: 1 in 3 Florida Retirees Who Receive Social Security Survive Solely on Government Checks
“A third of Florida’s senior Social Security recipients survive on only their monthly government checks, according to an analysis by AARP,” the Sun Sentinel reports. Read more…
From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Advocates Urge Simpler State Delivery of Senior Services
“Pennsylvania should overhaul its archaic method of providing services to older residents so it can meet the needs of a graying population,” LeadingAge PA urges, as reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “Responsibility for senior care in Pennsylvania is spread across seven agencies or areas, including the departments of Public Welfare, Transportation and Aging; the Tobacco Settlement Fund; the Office of Long-Term Living; the lottery; and the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.” Read more…
From Cincinnati.com: Westwood Nursing Home No Longer on Federal Watch List
“Conditions at a nursing home in Westwood [Ohio] have improved enough that federal officials last week removed it from the list of the worst homes nationally for providing poor or substandard quality of care,” reports Cincinnati.com. “Harrison Pavilion had been on the list for 14 months, putting it under pressure to shape up or potentially be forced out of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.” Read more…
From the Cleveland Daily Banner: Nursing Home’s Drop in Residents to Impact Budget
“The board of directors for the Bradley County Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is moderately concerned by a drop in the facility’s census,” reports the Cleveland Daily Banner. “The county-owned nursing home is down to 183 residents, with this year’s budget based on 195 residents. This relates to some negative numbers in revenue and finance, but staff members anticipate no difficulty in weathering the mild storm.” Read more…
**UPDATE** From the Los Angeles Times: Motion Picture Fund Nursing Home to Admit New Residents
Three years after a controversial decision to close Hollywood’s best known nursing home, the Motion Picture & Television Fund has reversed course and said it would immediately begin admitting new residents to the Woodland Hills facility.” Read more… (Prior coverage here.)
Written by Alyssa Gerace
