A 95 yo nursing home resident in Chicago died after police shot him with a round of bean bags. According to Wikipedia, the man died from hemoperitoneum, (rapid blood loss from the abdomen). A private EMS company called the Park Forest police when the man resisted their efforts to commit him for medical treatment. The police said … Continue reading
Why Would a Nursing Home Association Support Taxing Its Members?
Taxes on nursing homes in Alabama have doubled since 2008. You’d probably think the Alabama Nursing Home Association, which is the political voice for nursing home operators, would have spent the last five years protesting the increases, no? No! The ANHA has consistently supported state tax hikes on its members. What gives? It’s the same ol’ Medicaid … Continue reading
Why Medicaid Funding Will Always Encourage Musical Chairs
Companies and cities/states regularly jockey for federal Medicaid money. They will often twist themselves into pretzels to grab as much “free” money as possible. The Medicaid formula, where the federal government matches or exceeds the monetary amount allocated by the state, encourages musical chairs. That is, state and city governments work hard to acquire Medicaid … Continue reading
Assisted Living/Bus Service Contract: Low-Cost Feature Providing Big Benefits
Sunrise Senior Living has signed a contract with US Coachways. The contract makes US Coachways the exclusive provider of emergency bus service for all of Sunrise’s 300 locations. Hurricane Katrina demonstrated how important evacuation plans are for senior homes, even when evacuation is not mandated by law. The images from Katrina of flooded nursing homes and residents … Continue reading
“Independent” Living No Longer So Independent
The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) is fining and threatening to close an independent living apartment complex over regulatory issues. The complex is part of a CCRC (Continuum of Care Community) that also offers assisted living and skilled nursing services. It’s place in the CCRC is not soothing the ruffled feathers of the DPW bureaucracy. … Continue reading
Will This NY State Program Spread to Other States?
Last week the New York State Legislature passed a bill that would allow assisted living homes to keep residents who previously qualified for nursing homes. Buffalo’s Business Journal thinks this is good news. Is it really? The bill says residents can age in place in their current communities. It would allow assisted living homes to … Continue reading
How About An Assisted Living Chain for Professional Athletes?
A group of investors hopes to build a lavish 120 unit assisted living home in Ocoee, FL . They plan to request funding from the Ocoee City Commission on June 18th in the form of tax-exempt bonds. Up to $35 million. Why is this newsworthy? Two of the principals have direct connections to the professional … Continue reading
Canadian Government Spends Big on Assisted Living
The Canadian province of Alberta has spent an average of $87,000 per unit on assisted living construction since 2007-08. This is much more than any American state or city spends on new units. Alberta’s two biggest cities, Calgary and Edmonton each account for 1/3 of Alberta’s 3.6 million residents. The cities must compete for funding … Continue reading
Book Review: Going Solo (Living Alone)
I thought this book would be of interest because of the policy implications suggested for an aging, single (and poorer) population – admin. Going Solo: The Extraordinary Rise and Surprising Appeal of Living Alone. By Eric Klinenberg. Penguin Press; 273 pages; $27.99. Gerald Duckworth & Co; Pounds 16.99 “YOU need an apartment alone even if it’s over … Continue reading
Are 60% of Seniors Really Playing Video Games?
A psychology professor’s research reports that 60% of seniors play video games at least occasionally. The N.C. State University teacher’s findings about the wide use of video games among seniors will likely lead more assisted living communities to include them in their offerings. The seniors recruited for the study came from senior centers, senior living centers and religious centers. … Continue reading