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71 percent of assisted living operators say workforce issues might force them to close

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 23, 2021

Seventy-one percent of assisted living operators responding to a recent survey by the American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living said they fear that workforce issues will force them to close.

Senior living providers plan COVID-19 booster clinics in advance of federal recommendations

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 23, 2021

As the senior living industry awaits today’s scheduled vote by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on how to implement COVID-19 booster shots for older adults and healthcare workers, providers are working behind the scenes to prepare for on-site clinics.

Assisted living, nursing homes ‘not that different’ when it comes to risk for infectious disease spread

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 23, 2021

When it comes to COVID-19, there isn’t much difference between assisted living communities and nursing homes, in terms of the frail, older populations they care for and the need to prioritize assistance and resources, according to new research.

More news for Thursday, Sept. 23

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 23, 2021

Ventas completes $2.3 billion acquisition of New Senior Investment Group … Expanding home- and community-based services means a stronger economy: Moody’s Analytics … Long-term care industry emphasizes reconciliation priorities to House leadership … Healthy Aging research explores effects of diabetes, phishing scams, stress on aging brain

FDA approval of COVID-19 vaccine not enough to convince hesitant caregivers to roll up their sleeves

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 22, 2021

The Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has done little to instill confidence in vaccine safety and effectiveness for unvaccinated caregivers, according to the results of a new survey.

CCRCs challenged by caregiver turnover, but nursing homes have it worse: report

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 22, 2021

Turnover rates for certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses in continuing care retirement communities have reached their highest points over the past decade in 2021, according to a new analysis of historical data from the Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service.

New CDC profile shares demographics of assisted living residents

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 22, 2021

Bathing, walking and dressing are the most common activities of daily living that residents of assisted living or similar residential communities need help with, according to a new data brief from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. The report sheds light on the characteristics of the 918,700 residents in those communities who received long-term care services as of 2018.

$10.5 million AMDA, CDC partnership aims to improve vaccination rates in senior living, other settings

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 21, 2021

A five-year, $10.5 million agreement between AMDA–The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine and the federal government will try to improve vaccination rates among residents and staff members in senior living and other long-term care settings. AMDA announced the agreement on Monday.

Senior living owner/developer agrees to $450,000 settlement over disability-based discrimination accusations

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 21, 2021

The developer and owners of eight senior living complexes in five states agreed last week to a $450,000 settlement over claims that they violated discrimination laws by failing to make their properties accessible for people with disabilities.

Senior living to benefit from $2.1 billion CDC investment in infection prevention, control

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 21, 2021

A $2.1 billion federal investment in infection prevention and control measures across the healthcare continuum — including $500 million for long-term care strike teams — is welcome news to the senior living industry, which continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic with limited resources and staffing shortages.

‘We’ve got to stay vigilant’: Argentum CEO discusses importance of policymaker, consumer education

By

Lois A. Bowers

Publish Date September 20, 2021

Educating policymakers and consumers can help the senior living industry keep regulation at the state level and ensure that prospective residents and their families understand the benefits of senior living, Argentum President and CEO James Balda says.

Joint Commission awards first assisted living accreditation

By

Lois A. Bowers

Publish Date September 20, 2021

A nonprofit continuing care retirement community in Chicago on Friday became the first senior living community to achieve The Joint Commission’s assisted living community accreditation.

Senior living communities adopt regional approach to staff COVID-19 vaccine mandates

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 20, 2021

Eight Lancaster, PA, senior living communities have banded together in announcing a COVID-19 staff vaccination requirement in the “best interest of everyone in our individual communities, as well as the broader Lancaster community and beyond.”

Former assisted living owner pleads guilty to healthcare fraud for diverting $823,000 in resident benefits

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 20, 2021

The former owner of a now-shuttered Richmond, VA, assisted living community pleaded guilty Wednesday to healthcare fraud after reportedly using more than $823,000 in federal and state benefits intended to pay for the care of residents for her own personal use.

FDA panel supports COVID-19 boosters for older adults, healthcare workers but votes against general distribution

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 17, 2021

A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel Friday afternoon voted against recommending the approval of booster doses of a COVID-19 vaccine for the general public, saying it needed more data. But the group unanimously approved a second, narrower recommendation for booster shots for older adults and individuals at high risk for severe disease, including healthcare workers.

Senior living in vulnerable position given attacks on COVID lawsuit immunity, experts say

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 17, 2021

In the past year, the number of states with COVID-19 liability protections for senior living operators grew from 12 to 41. But attorneys are slowly chipping away at those protections through a series of lawsuits, leaving the industry vulnerable, according to legal experts.

Assisted living caregiver sentenced after stealing 275 pieces of jewelry, medication from 44 residents, money

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 17, 2021

A former employee of several Oregon senior living communities has pleaded guilty to six of the 21 counts against her of stealing money, jewelry and medications from residents. She was sentenced Thursday to two months in jail.

Senior living hopeful as House committees share proposals for $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 17, 2021

As House committees begin revealing their proposals to be included in the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package, senior living is reminding legislators not to forget older adults and their caregivers.

Argentum expands training program to leadership roles, sets overall goal of 7,200 apprentices by 2024

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 16, 2021

PHOENIX—A critical piece of securing the future of senior living is expanding the number of qualified workers who can care for the growing population of older Americans. Argentum is using its previously announced senior living and allied health apprenticeship program to attract more workers to the field, with plans to expand that program into leadership roles.

Senior living provider opens community to shelter elder abuse victims

By

Kimberly Bonvissuto

Publish Date September 16, 2021

Older adults in Indianapolis who no longer can remain in their own homes due to abuse now have a safe haven in a crisis.