The nursing home sector in 2026 will be defined by rapid change, leaders said, as payment constraints, workforce shortages and rising expectations from the public and government entities converge. All the while, operators brace for Medicaid uncertainty and Medicare Advantage growth. Shortened retroactive eligibility periods and potential state-level cuts to Medicaid programs may further contribute […]
When it comes to dining and environmental services, skilled nursing leaders believe that technology can help their organizations achieve some key goals. However, 54% of respondents to a recent Skilled Nursing News survey said they have no major changes planned when it comes to service strategy over the next one to two years. That was […]
Hospital to skilled nursing facility referral patterns are normalizing and admission numbers are recovering. That’s according to a newly released report from WellSky, which also found that nursing homes have had to navigate fragmented care transitions more than ever, as real-time coordination continues to be a challenge despite digital advancements. A lot of providers still […]
Gary Blake regrets that Creative Solutions in Healthcare did not bring on more nurse practitioners sooner, saying the decision has been a turning point for the skilled nursing provider. “I’m not too proud to say I stand corrected on the use of nurse practitioners,” he said. “I actually can’t say enough great things about them […]
Adoption of artificial intelligence tools in health care lags other industries; within health care, nursing and residential care is even further behind. This is a finding of an analysis recently published in JAMA Health Forum. The study compared AI use in health care to other sectors from 2023 to 2025. The authors examined the U.S. […]
Skilled nursing leaders are renewing calls to eliminate the three-day stay rule in light of a policy change that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized last week. Specifically, CMS is moving ahead with plans to phase out the inpatient-only (IPO) list, which details the procedures that Medicare covers only if the beneficiary […]
Telehealth use among residents in nursing homes remains relatively low compared to older adults living in other settings, indicating an underused opportunity. Variations in technology infrastructure, staffing capacity, and resident autonomy are likely factors contributing to less use in the sector. Expanding telehealth in nursing homes, as well as seniors housing and assisted living, could […]
The U.S. Senate on Monday night approved a funding measure that would reopen the federal government and address telehealth disruptions and other matters of concern to skilled nursing providers. The measure passed on a 60 to 40 vote, with seven Democratic senators bucking their party to vote with Republicans. One independent senator also voted in […]
Skilled nursing providers cannot consider technology in a vacuum if they hope to invest wisely and implement solutions that help their organizations meaningful goals, whether clinical, financial or otherwise. That’s according to Tom McClelland, VP and chief technology officer with CarDon & Associates. “Technology is really seen as a tool, but to me, it’s all […]
Arya Health on Wednesday announced an $18.2 million Series A funding for its technology to automate scheduling, compliance tracking and hiring pipeline management for nursing homes and home health care providers. The round was led by ACME Capital, with participation from Ridge Ventures, Twelve Below, leading post-acute care providers and executives from OpenAI. The funding […]
Sanford Health is launching virtual care services to 27 Good Samaritan skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in South Dakota, with plans to expand to the entire Good Samaritan portfolio. The service, My Care Line, is part of the integrated health system’s $350 million virtual care initiative. Through the initiative, launched in 2021, Sanford Health […]
The federal government shutdown that began on Oct. 1 is likely to cause minimal disruption to nursing home operations, but surveyors will be adhering to contingency plans and providers are concerned about reduced telehealth access. “Seniors, their loved ones, and their caregivers can rest easy that their long term and postacute care will be minimally […]
While census remains strong at nursing homes, certain factors – such as insufficient hiring of skilled clinical workers and limited use of technology and AI tools to align with referral partners and hospitals – could negatively impact census. Andy Frasure, COO of Larry H. Miller Senior Health, and Steve Hart, COO of Heritage Operations Group, […]
By Kristin Carroll Increased resident satisfaction is the top benefit that nursing home providers are hoping to achieve by implementing more technology in their dining and environmental services. That’s according to a survey of nursing home providers conducted by Skilled Nursing News in early summer 2025. The survey focused on strategies for managing environmental, dining, […]
By Kristin Carroll When skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) outsource environmental, housekeeping and dining services, compliance and survey readiness is the most important consideration in selecting a vendor partner – while the resident dining experience is the area that is in most need of improvement. That’s according to recently conducted research from Skilled Nursing News, which […]
By Kristin Carroll More advanced technology, a team-based approach to prevention and care, and concerted efforts to drive vaccination are among the key strategies that can help nursing home providers combat infections, falls and pressure ulcers. These “big, bad three” clinical challenges are persistent within facilities but providers can “improve them drastically,” Dr. Andrew McNamara, […]
Nursing homes are implementing clinical tech, especially AI, to support staffing.The trend could signal a broader shift as nursing homes pursue tech-enabled care coordination to remain competitive and meet increasing acuity demands. Operators see the practice as a way to strengthen partnerships, especially with hospitals, in turn aiding in referrals. But, tight margins tied to […]
Changing regulations and payment models, along with evolving resident preferences and acuity are pushing skilled nursing operators to grow and diversify therapy services in-house or with a partner. Outsourced therapy providers, in particular, have shifted their business model to focus more on clinical specializations and value-added services rather than volume. For providers of in-house therapy, […]
For organizations hoping to draw out savings from value-based care, added administrative burdens might be a source of hesitation. However, some operators are successfully turning to technology offerings that maximize reimbursement, pinpoint essential data, and include platforms already used by referral partners and managed care organizations (MAOs). AI programs can help “tease out” some of […]
Financial leaders were generally more optimistic at the beginning of the year in terms of a capital market forecast. Now, however, that outlook has changed due to perceptions of economic instability and the threat of potential federal Medicaid cuts. Now, for facilities to succeed at raising funds for additions or improvements, possession of liquidity and […]
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