Covenant Retirement Communities Announces Name Change
September 18, 2018
Skokie, Ill. — Covenant Living Communities and Services is the new corporate name and identity being announced nationwide on September 18, 2018 by Covenant Retirement Communities, Inc., a senior living and healthcare provider that owns and manages 16 communities in nine states. The announcement comes following unanimous approval by its board of directors for the…
Differentiating By Disrupting the Message
August 21, 2018
Thrive Senior Living recently unveiled a brand-new advertising campaign intended to disrupt messaging in the senior living industry. The campaign, ‘Playing Favorites,’ uses tongue-in-cheek humor as a way to differentiate the Thrive brand. “Most consumers are inundated with images of elderly hands and promises of great care,” said Jeramy Ragsdale, CEO of Thrive Senior Living.…
Chronic Care Act Included in Balanced Budget Act May Present Model for Expanding Long-Term Care and Supports
August 20, 2018
Legislation included in the BBA earlier this year may present Congress with a model to expand certain long-term care and supports. Passed with bipartisan support as part of the budget bill approved earlier this year, the “Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act of 2018,” provides Medicare Advantage plans the…
HHS Office of Inspector General Report Identifies Vulnerabilities in Medicare Hospice Program
August 20, 2018
As part of OIG’s ongoing efforts to fight waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare, Medicaid, and more than 100 other HHS programs, it recently released a report identifying vulnerabilities to fraud and poor care. The new report covers hospice care since 2005 and increases in utilization and reimbursement. OIG made more than a dozen recommendations…
Dept. of Labor Issues Final Rule to Repeal Persuader Rule
August 20, 2018
On July 18, the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Labor-Management Standards issued a final rule rescinding the so-called “persuader rule,” a controversial Obama-era regulation requiring employers to disclose advice received about labor unions. Specifically, the persuader rule altered the advice exemption under the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, interfering with both employers’ access…
Argentum Advances Discussions on Long-Term Care Financing with Congressional Committees
August 20, 2018
As part of efforts to continue to elevate the issue of long-term care financing and in response to draft legislation by Rep. Frank Pallone, Argentum is actively engaged with Congressional Committees including the House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Veterans Affairs, and Senate Finance. While Rep. Pallone’s draft legislation would expand the Medicare program…
A Look at the Medicare Long-Term Care Services and Supports Act
August 20, 2018
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), who currently serves as the Ranking Member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, has filed H.R. 6563, which would establish a public long-term care benefit of the Medicare program for elderly and disabled individuals by creating a new Part E under Medicare entitled Long Term Care Services and Supports (LTSS).…
Serving the Dietary and Nutritional Needs of Older Adults
June 28, 2018
A nutritious, flavorful diet is fundamental to health and quality of life for senior living residents. However, older adults may face physical and cognitive challenges that make it difficult for them to gain adequate nutrition and satisfaction from their meals. How can providers meet these challenges to ensure optimum nutrition among a resident population with a…
Food Safety and Worker Training: A Strategic Imperative
June 28, 2018
Food service operations in senior living communities are increasingly getting attention as a source of competitive advantage. David Koelling, president of Strategic Dining Services, a dining service and hospitality management provider, knows the strategic importance of the dining operation. “For many operators, dining is the number one controllable expense, and the biggest driver of resident…
Adapting Menus to Changing Resident Preferences
June 28, 2018
At Brandywine Living, Sean Keating wants to stay on the cutting edge of culinary trends—but he also wants to tread with caution. As corporate director of culinary innovation, he recently launched a steakhouse, of sorts. It’s only open on Saturdays and only at one property. Residents can pick from three steaks, three sauces, two veggies,…
House and Senate Continue Efforts to Curb Opioid Addiction
June 25, 2018
The House of Representatives is slated to pass over 59 bills coming from five different oversight committees addressing the opioid crisis. The Senate Finance Committee has also unanimously approved legislation that combines 22 bills recently introduced by committee members. The Senate opioid package includes provisions that would expand telehealth access for addiction treatment, remove lifetime…
Argentum Applauds Sens. Casey and Collins in Their Efforts to Address Critical Shortage of Geriatric Health Professionals
June 25, 2018
To address the growing shortage of geriatric health care professionals and direct caregivers to support our aging population, Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Bob Casey (D-PA), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee respectively, introduced the Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act. This legislation would reauthorize the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) and the…