Over the past few years, I've highlighted some of the serious issues facing Gracedale. To be sure, it is objectively the worst long-term care facility in Northampton County and the worst county-owned nursing home. But in many ways, Gracedale has been the canary in the coalmine. What is being publicized at Gracedale is a reflection of a statewide problem.
According to the 2026 State of Pa Nursing Home Report, 37 nursing homes have closed since 2020 and a whopping 4,318 beds have been decertified. Nearly a third of nursing homes have licensed beds that go unfilled.
There are three main reasons:
(1) Inadequate funding - Aside for delay in Medicaid approvals that sometimes can take 36 months, the simple reality is that the reimbursement only amounts to about 70% of the cost of care. The hoime eats the rest. As one nursing home administrator puts it, “The continued lack of government support for aging services is beyond wrong. It is a true demonstration of ageism at its finest."
(2) Staffing Shortages. - Most nursing homes have at least five open positions. About 10% of Pa. nursing homes have 20 or more open spots.
(3) People Would Rather Age in Place. - And why not? But it's getting harder to do. As NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski noted in her latest report to NorCo Council, there were over 40 people on a waiting list for meals on wheels. It is just as difficult to find a home health care aide as it is to recruit a CNA.
No comments:
Post a Comment
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.