January 5, 2015 |

6 challenges facing those serving seniors in 2015

Senior housing and services providers enter 2015 with many unanswered questions regarding their future. A new Republican majority in the U.S. Senate, an expanded Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and the presence of Republican governors in more states will bring new perspectives to the political landscape. Controversial presidential executive orders related to immigration reform await resolution, and threatened governmental action could overturn some or all of the Affordable Care Act and the health insurance it provides to certain seniors and others. New payment models and regulations under consideration could alter the business climate for years to come. In this multi-part series, Long-Term Living takes a look at six challenges that those who serve older adults will face in this new year. Click on the numbered items below to read more, or see the digital edition of the December 2014 issue for the print version of these and related articles.

1. Getting paid fairly

Some government initiatives under testing or development give pause to many providers serving older adults.

2. Expanding service reach

Providers increasingly are adapting their offerings in response to the desire of older adults to “age in place,” wherever they are.

3. Improving quality

The goal of reducing the off-label use of antipsychotic medication in nursing homes was one of the most visible efforts to ensure quality among aging services providers in 2014, and that work will continue in 2015 and beyond. We take a look at that initiative and others related to quality.

4. Ensuring an adequate workforce

The country’s aging population, and its concurrently aging workforce, will make it more difficult for providers to recruit, replace and maintain workers just when their services will be in highest demand.

5: Validating professionalism

Organizations increasingly are offering to help authenticate the professionalism of senior housing and services providers as a way for them to communicate quality and differentiate themselves among those seeking services.