Multi-facility providers driving growth in seniors housing, Ziegler managing director says
Multi-facility providers are leading expansion of the senior living sector, according to Dan Hermann, head of senior living finance for Ziegler. He spoke to McKnight's during the Life Services Network conference in Chicago last week. Even though capital availability is down, organizations should position themselves for access and not be afraid to execute a strategic plan for borrowing, he said.
Stay operationally sound, optimistic during economic downturn, former AAHSA chair says
Rich Schutt, chief executive officer of Providence Life Services, is being prudent as a provider these days, spending cautiously and operating in a fiscally sound manner. "Cash is king in one of these tight economic environments," said Schutt, former chair of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. His advice to providers? Stay optimistic and remember that you have a calling and a purpose. "Be diligent and a good steward through these times," he said. Schutt offered his comments last week during the annual conference of Life Services Network, the Illinois chapter of AAHSA.
Former LSN chair: Five-Star Rating System rollout lacked input of providers
The Five-Star Rating system got off on the wrong foot when it was unveiled in December, Connie March, president and CEO of Provena Senior Services, suggested recently. It contained many data errors and did not reflect the input of nursing home providers. Still, March is hopeful that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is open to adjusting the system to make it more fair to providers. March, who is former chairwoman of Life Services Network, spoke to McKnight's during the annual LSN show at Navy Pier in Chicago last week. LSN is the Illinois branch of AAHSA.
Staying on top of Medicare is key priority, head of Illinois AAHSA chapter says
The future of Medicare is a key issue facing nursing home providers today. Unfortunately, it is difficult to know where the program is heading at this point. Dennis Bozzi, president of Life Services Network, talked with McKnight's about the issue at the organization's annual meeting last week at Navy Pier in Chicago. LSN is the Illinois affiliate of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
Better Jobs Better Care offers new caregiver materials, goes global, Stone says
Better Jobs Better Care, a research and advocacy program for frontline caregivers, has released a tool kit to help providers recruit and retain caregivers, and other resources for long-term care facilities. The program has also expanded to Australia, said Robyn Stone, senior vice president of research at the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. She spoke to McKnight's during AAHSA's annual conference in Philadelphia in October. To access BJBC materials and to learn more about about BJBC, go to www.bjbc.org.
Tell your stories to the media, AAHSA's Shaham advises
The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging encourages members to tell their caregiving stories to the press on an ongoing basis. Position yourself as a go-to person in your community, advises Lauren Shaham, vice president of communications for AAHSA. She offered her expertise at the association's annual conference in Philadelphia earlier this month.
Pace: Long-term care financing plan would overhaul current funding system
The Long-Term Care Solution Campaign is an effort to reconfigure the current financing system for long-term care, explains Doug Pace, director of the campaign for the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. He spoke during AAHSA's 2008 annual convention in Philadelphia.
Green House is thriving, founder Thomas says
The Green House Project is "growing in a very health way," says founder Dr. Bill Thomas. He advises interested long-term care facilities to go for the "whole package" when transforming to a Green House model.
Rosenthal: Quality First still going strong
More members are engaged in Quality First since it began more than six years ago, said Bruce Rosenthal, vice president of the program for the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. He spoke during AAHSA's annual conference earlier this month in Philadelphia.
Students design 'dream' bedroom for resident in AAHSA competition
Two teams of interior design students from Drexel University's Antoinette Westphal College of Media, Arts & Design competed to create a "dream" room for a skilled nursing resident. The showdown occurred during the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging's annual conference this week in Philadelphia. See video and story for more.
Culinarians mix it up in Chef Challenge at AAHSA show
Four food-service teams competed in the first-ever Chef Challenge at the 2008 conference of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. See video and story for more.
Government has fallen short on healthcare, Walker says
The United States needs to engage in comprehensive healthcare reform, said David Walker, former U.S. comptroller general. "The government has over-promised and under-delivered--especially in healthcare," he said.
Minnix: U.S. has seen hard times before
The United States is in an economic crisis, but the country has faced such rough periods in the past, said Larry Minnix, president and CEO of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. "Our message to our members is basically we have to deal realistically with the situation so pay attention to the basics back home," he told McKnight's Monday during the association's annual convention in Philadelphia.
AHCA works to turn around negative images of nursing homes
The American Health Care Association seeks to dispel negative perceptions of nursing homes through the Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes campaign, explains Susan Feeney, vice president of public affairs for AHCA.
New nursing group expands with more members, conference
The American Association for Long Term Care Nursing, an organization which was formed last year, recently acquired the membership of the National Association of Sub Acute and Post-Acute Care. It also has an upcoming conference in May, explains Charlotte Eliopoulos, executive director of the association.
RehabCare CEO: Skilled nursing facilities, hospitals need to work together
Skilled nursing facilities need to be more active in partnering with hospitals to coordinate post-acute care services, says John Short, CEO and president of RehabCare Group.
Focusing on workforce is key in current economy, Diaz says
Kindred Healthcare will stick to its game plan, in spite of the troubled economy, says Kindred President and CEO Paul Diaz. That means focusing on its employees and its core values, he says. Still, the company will have to approach the world in a more pragmatic way, he says.
Information technology major topic at NASL's annual meeting
The National Association for the Support of Long Term Care held its annual meeting in conjunction with the American Health Care Association's 59th annual conference. CEOs at the meeting talked about how health information technology helps lower cost and improve access and outcomes, said Peter Clendenin, executive vice president of NASL.
New Web site allows facilities to examine their peers
LTC Trend Tracker is a new Web-based tool that allows members of the American Health Care Association to compare their cost, Medicare census, and operational information with their competitors, explains Bill Hartung, vice president of research for AHCA.
Matros: Investing in information technology essential
Nursing homes need to invest more in information technology to keep up with the times, said Rick Matros, CEO and chair of Sun Healthcare. "It's time to bite the bullet and start investing as much money as possible in IT," he said.
Industry faces tough times on Medicare, Medicaid fronts, Lane says
The industry is in "for a very rough road for the near term," said Larry Lane, vice president of government relations for Genesis HealthCare. Not only is Medicare spending a potential target for federal cuts, but tight state budgets place pressure on Medicaid as a funding source, he said.
New Golden Living CEO to focus on integrated care
Dr. Neil Kurtz, the new CEO and president of Golden Living, wants residents to receive a seamless flow of care within the company. Maintaining a high quality of care is key, he said. What does it mean to him? Whether it is good enough for his 88-year-old mother.
'Incredible change' ahead, Yarwood says
An economic crisis and the transition to a new administration pose the next big hurdles for the nursing home industry, said Bruce Yarwood, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association, at the annual conference in Nashville on Monday.
Invest in skilled nursing, Hager of Genesis says
All signs indicate that it is the right time to invest in the skilled nursing sector, said George Hager, CEO and chair of Genesis HealthCare.
NCAL: Arbitration legislation 'fundamentally flawed'
The industry needs to move quickly against two pending measures that could harm operators, said Dave Kyllo, executive director of the National Center for Assisted Living. One is a bill that would ban pre-dispute arbitration agreements. Another would change the False Claims Act. Kyllo also said operators should urge Congress to approve a measure that would cover co-payments for residents who are eligible to receive both Medicare and Medicaid services.
Climate good for small transactions, Whitman says
In today's challenging seniors housing market, capital likely will be more available for smaller transactions, said Arnie Whitman, president and CEO of Formation Capital.
New housing report offers historical perspective
A report from the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry, and the American Seniors Housing Association offers for the first time a history of net inventory growth, said Bob Kramer, president of NIC.
After a downward trend, some stabilization, NIC expert notes
Revenue growth is picking up in the independent living and assisted living sectors, said Lawrence J. Horan, financial research and analysis director for the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry.
Hargrave: Seniors housing industry softening
The fundamentals of seniors housing are showing weakness, according to Michael Hargrave, vice president of the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry Market Area Profiles.
New housing report released
Seniors housing is in good shape, according to a new report released by the American Seniors Housing Association.
NIC to host regional conference focused on skilled nursing sector
The National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry will play host to a new conference devoted to skilled nursing and issues of reimbursement, Bob Kramer, president of NIC, said last week.
A picture of seniors housing last year and today
After reaching a peak about a year ago, the seniors housing market declined. But it has begun to pick up slightly, explained Lawrence J. Horan, director of financial research and analysis for the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry. He offered his views during NIC's 18th annual conference held in Chicago earlier this month.
Conference targets seniors housing
David Schless, president of the American Seniors Housing Association, offers seniors housing statistics at the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry conference held Sept. 10-12 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers.
Kramer: Boomers to shape changing housing landscape
The aging of the baby boomer population will drastically alter the culture of long-term care, including the industry's terminology, according to Bob Kramer, president of the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry.
Kramer unveils latest housing data
Robert Kramer, president of the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry, offers a historical picture of the seniors housing industry during the 2008 conference held in Chicago in September.
