In this week’s episode of HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we explore critical topics shaping care in senior living communities. We begin with a look at schizophrenia—what it is, how symptoms present in older adults, and why accurate diagnosis is essential. Drawing on resources from the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities, we discuss the importance of distinguishing schizophrenia from conditions like dementia-related psychosis and highlight best practices for care planning. We also take a closer look at substance use recovery, with four practical strategies communities can use to support residents on their recovery journey. From there, we examine the ongoing challenges related to Medicare’s two-midnight hospital policy, including how it can disrupt care transitions and create financial stress for residents and families. Finally, we turn to the CDC’s newly updated measles preparedness toolkit, which offers clear guidance for vaccination protocols, outbreak response, and protecting vulnerable residents. For more details and links to all the resources mentioned, visit the Weekly Round Up on Angie’s blog at healthcapusa.com/angies-blog.

In this week’s episode of HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we unpack seven developments shaping the senior living industry. We begin with a major policy shake-up, as McKnight’s Long-Term Care News reports that a federal judge has struck down CMS’s requirement for a 24/7 registered nurse in nursing homes—raising uncertainty around the future of the national staffing mandate. Building on that, we explore a study that offers a more flexible alternative: using resident case-mix data to inform staffing levels, a shift that could balance regulatory goals with real-world care demands.

Next, we turn to infection control. As CMS prepares to implement new guidance, infection preventionists are reinforcing foundational practices like hand hygiene and PPE use. This renewed focus is supported by HealthCap’s 2025 Regulatory Toolkit, which provides practical resources for implementing Enhanced Barrier Precautions effectively. On the public health front, we examine the CDC’s newly simplified definition of “up to date” for COVID-19 vaccines. The latest guidance counts only the most recent fall 2023 dose, prompting communities to reassess vaccine records and compliance plans.

We also highlight a new Florida law requiring assisted living communities to include blood clot education in their admissions process, empowering residents and families with life-saving awareness. From there, we look at the NIH’s “Generation Gold Standard,” a new initiative aimed at strengthening the inclusion of older adults in medical research—especially those with complex care needs.

Finally, we wrap with a story from McKnight’s Home Care spotlighting a surge in private-sector support for family caregivers. With platforms like Trualta expanding into dozens of states, families are gaining access to training and tools that complement the work of senior living communities and strengthen care at every stage.

For more on these stories, visit Angie’s blog at healthcapusa.com/angies-blog.

HealthCap 2025 Regulatory Toolkit.

In this episode of HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we explore some of the most pressing updates for senior living professionals. We begin with the growing concern over measles as cases rise across the U.S. Provider groups and organizations like PALTmed are urging staff vaccinations to help protect residents in senior living communities. We also discuss new research led by Stanford Medicine and published in JAMA, which warns that measles could become endemic in the U.S. within two decades if vaccination rates decline — a reminder of how critical prevention efforts are. Next, we look at OSHA’s latest injury and illness data, which provides valuable insights into workplace safety trends that can help communities strengthen staff well-being and enhance care. We then turn to CMS’s ongoing work to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in healthcare programs, emphasizing the importance of accountability and strong internal practices. Finally, we highlight several FDA alerts regarding Smiths Medical infusion pumps, including risks of thermal damage, intermittent connections, and false alarms that could impact resident care. For more details on these stories, be sure to check out the full Weekly Round Up on Angie’s blog at healthcapusa.com/angies-blog.