On October 1st, a federal appeals court decided to uphold restrictions that limit the use of binding arbitration agreements in nursing home admissions agreements. Binding arbitration agreements prior to the rise of any actual dispute have been promoted for decades as a way to reduce expenses by providing an alternative dispute resolution method. When…
Unfortunately, nursing home visitation and visits to long-term care communities in NJ, PA, and beyond are once again being limited or restricted due to residents and/or staff contracting the COVID-19 virus. We have seen the devastating consequences of visitation restrictions on long-term care residents. During the past year, long-term care advocates have called for each…
Acknowledging that current statewide nursing home regulations are insufficient to meet the physical, psychological, and social needs of residents, Pennsylvania announced a number of changes this past week. One of the most significant being a 35% increase in direct care provided to each nursing home resident – 4.1 daily hours, up from 2.7. Although lessons…
The importance of nursing home communication and relaying information clearly is a key consideration for anyone entering a home and for family members involved in the process. Good nursing home communication helps ensure you or your loved one, as well as nursing home staff, are all on the same page together. Deciding whether it is…
The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly devastating for nursing homes and their residents. Aside from the tragically disproportionate loss of life, care for surviving residents has been delayed or interrupted due to infection, facility lockdowns or other health system disruptions. As a result, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has waived two limitations…
The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly devastating for nursing homes and their residents. Aside from the tragically disproportionate loss of life, care for surviving residents has been delayed or interrupted due to infection, facility lockdowns, or other health system disruptions. As a result, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has waived two limitations…
A recent article in the Doylestown Patch detailed that Neshaminy Manor, a Bucks County, Pennsylvania nursing home, announced they will require all staff to accept the COVID-19 vaccination. Those staff that choose not to vaccinate risk losing their jobs. This naturally leads to the question – Can a nursing home require vaccination of staff as…
Can and should nursing home residents leave the facility for the holiday? If a resident decides to leave the facility for the holiday, CMS recommends certain actions when the resident returns. Consider this scenario: A client was in a local nursing home for a rehabilitation stay following a fall resulting in hospitalization. His spouse communicated…
Let’s take a moment to review the new PA and NJ Long Term Care Visitation Guidelines that have been established post COVID. It has been a very difficult eight plus months for both loved ones and residents of long-term care communities (LTC), referring to residents in assisted living, personal care homes and nursing homes). Social…
Rothkoff Law Group teamed with Barclays Rehabilitation and Health Care Center by chalking the sidewalk outside long-term care communities in our area. Thank you to Elizabeth Solitro of Barclays and Rothkoff Law’s own Chelsea Ganssle for being the “chalk squad” and helping to bring some joy to our hard-working long-term care workers. CBS3 in Philadelphia…
