In this episode of HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we cover the latest developments impacting senior living communities, with a special focus on workforce funding, infection control, and clinical guidance. We begin with the recent announcement from CMS confirming the launch of a $75 million nursing home training fund, a major federal step toward addressing ongoing staffing challenges. We then contrast that momentum with the still-unresolved funding issues surrounding the WisCaregiver Careers program in Wisconsin, highlighting the importance of advocacy at both state and national levels. Next, we explore new guidance from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which advises against routine screening of older adults for caregiver abuse due to insufficient evidence—raising important questions about best practices and frontline training. We also dive into practical resources for infection prevention, including APIC’s 2024 toolkit and the CDC’s latest LabID Event Protocol, both designed to support long-term care professionals. Plus, we look at Argentum’s newly released 2024 QALC-IPC Guidelines and the forward-thinking 2025 Technology Report, which showcases how emerging tools are reshaping the future of senior living. Tune in for thoughtful analysis, practical takeaways, and meaningful stories that help you stay connected and informed.

In this episode of HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we explore new tools and insights shaping care in senior living communities. We start with updated infection prevention resources from APIC and Argentum, including practical guides designed to help communities implement stronger, more resident-centered infection control practices. We then shift to an innovative study out of Stanford, where researchers are using gait tracking to predict fall risk with impressive accuracy—opening doors to earlier interventions. Next, we highlight a powerful study focused on improving transitions from long-term care to hospital settings, co-designed with residents and care partners to create practical tools like decision-aid flowcharts and hospital-ready lanyards. We also break down the upcoming 3-day rule waiver under CMS’s new TEAM model, which could significantly change how Medicare supports skilled nursing admissions. With emergency preparedness top of mind, we review Argentum’s latest white paper on scalable planning strategies for communities facing natural disasters and public health events. Finally, we reflect on how language impacts care culture, drawing on ASHRM’s guidance to avoid “never” words in healthcare communication. It’s a packed episode with practical takeaways you can bring back to your team this week.

In this week’s episode of HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we cover a wide range of stories shaping the senior living industry. We begin with a major policy development out of Oregon, where lawmakers have passed the first-in-the-nation bill to block corporate takeovers of medical practices, a move that could have far-reaching implications for provider relationships in senior living communities. From there, we turn to new research in JAMA showing that hospitalizations—even routine ones—are linked to an increased risk of long-term cognitive decline, highlighting the importance of care coordination and post-hospital support for older adults. We also review APIC’s newly released 2025 implementation guide for preventing catheter-associated bloodstream infections, a practical resource filled with checklists, tools, and strategies for infection prevention teams.

Balancing the clinical with wellness, we share nine mindful eating tips from the Mather Institute, a simple yet powerful resource that can enhance mealtime experiences and promote resident satisfaction. For those focused on team development, we highlight the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing’s NextGen Aging learning hub, which offers training modules and educational resources to strengthen staff skills in age-friendly and dementia-friendly care. Finally, we close with an inspiring workforce story from Arkansas, where the state’s Health Care Association has launched its first of three planned schools to help caregivers advance into med-tech and LPN roles, offering a promising model for “growing your own” workforce in long-term care.

Tune in for insights, resources, and practical takeaways to help you support your residents, strengthen your team, and stay ahead in the ever-evolving senior living landscape.

In this week’s episode of HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we take a closer look at the growing wave of oversight and accountability in skilled nursing, including new CMS audits of MDS data and an OIG evaluation of medical directors. We also unpack the latest Liberty Mutual Senior Care Claims Study and reporting from McKnight’s, which reveal liability claim costs have doubled over the past decade, with the steepest risks for skilled nursing communities. But it’s not all heavy news—we highlight a practical communication strategy from the CALTCM blog that helps providers stay aligned and strengthen trust with families. Finally, we share two important clinical updates: a CDC report on shifting norovirus strains and a Medical Journal of Australia study on smartphone-activated volunteer responders improving cardiac arrest survival.

In this episode of HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping senior care by predicting health risks like cognitive frailty and drug-resistant infections before symptoms even appear—giving providers powerful tools to act early. We also highlight a major national investment in fall prevention, as 18 organizations receive flexible funding to create community-tailored programs that go beyond the one-size-fits-all approach. From virtual fitness classes to wraparound wellness strategies, these initiatives are redefining how we reduce fall-related injuries in older adults.

We then shift into practical territory with two concise and essential guides from PharMerica—one on cleaning glucometers properly to prevent cross-contamination, and another on calibrating them to ensure accurate readings. Both offer quick wins for clinical teams. Staying with PharMerica, we also review their updated resource on residents’ rights in medication administration—emphasizing informed consent, the right to refuse, and communication that fosters dignity and trust. Finally, we wrap with a powerful reminder about CMS’s QSEP platform: a free, self-paced training resource that prepares senior living teams for survey readiness and strengthens everyday care practices.

For links to all the stories and resources mentioned in this episode, visit the Weekly Round Up on Angie’s blog at healthcapusa.com/angies-blog

In this week’s episode of HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we dive into the critical role of preparation in senior living with highlights from PharMerica’s disaster management webinar and HealthCap’s new 2025 Emergency Preparedness Manual. We then review the latest CDC MMWR report on measles outbreaks, Lassa fever, and gaps in tobacco cessation services in behavioral health, reminding communities to stay vigilant with infection prevention and vaccination reviews. Compliance updates take center stage as we break down CMS’s revised CLIA guidance on lab testing for organ and tissue donations, before shifting to groundbreaking research from the Diabetic Foot Consortium showing how transepidermal water loss can predict diabetic foot ulcer recurrence. We also explore the Alzheimer’s Association’s new My ALZ Journey app, a free digital companion for individuals newly diagnosed with dementia and their care partners, and examine a cutting-edge bioluminescent test from Nature Biomedical Engineering that detects viral antigens in minutes without external power. We close on a practical, resident-centered note with the COE-NF Comfort Menu, a simple tool that empowers residents to choose non-medication comfort strategies.

From regulatory updates to innovative research and everyday resident care, this episode brings together stories that matter for senior living communities.

In this week’s episode of HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we explore the NB.1.8.1 COVID-19 variant, nicknamed “Nimbus,” and what senior living teams should watch for. We break down PALTmed’s latest Choosing Wisely recommendations and highlight a successful deprescribing initiative in New York that reduced polypharmacy risks. We also spotlight an inspiring collaboration in Pennsylvania connecting nursing schools with nursing homes to promote Age-Friendly care, and review MedPAC’s proposed overhaul of the Five-Star Quality Rating System. A new study on using structured huddles to address unprofessional staff behavior shows promising results, and we close with CMS’s latest fraud prevention efforts, including phishing scam alerts every community should know about. Packed with insights and takeaways, this episode is designed to help senior living professionals lead with clarity, safety, and compassion.

In this episode of HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we highlight key developments shaping senior living today. We explore PointClickCare’s new digital move-in tool, “Senior Sign,” which simplifies admissions and frees staff to focus on resident connection. We also break down a practical three-step dementia diagnosis framework for primary care, along with a bipartisan bill supporting caregivers balancing elder and child care. Clinically, we examine the INSPIRE-3 study on reducing unnecessary antibiotics, and raise concerns about opaque AI tools like NarxCare influencing medical decisions. Plus, we dive into Mather Institute’s Social Wellness Framework and discuss the implications of CMS removing focused infection control surveys from routine inspections.

For more details and full article links, visit Angie’s blog at healthcapusa.com/angies-blog.