Illinois Health Care Association

04/29/2026

Some senior living residents could see a boost in their monthly payments.
https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/bill-would-repeal-retirement-earnings-test-for-social-security-benefits/

04/29/2026

According to a recent study, vaccination coverage for residents was highest among government-owned nursing homes (71.7%) and lowest among for-profit nursing homes (58.5%).

A total 61.3% of nursing home residents and 42.1% of nursing home healthcare personnel (HCP) reported receiving the influenza vaccine during the 2024-2025 flu season, according to an April Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published by the Centers for Disease Control.

04/28/2026

Most senior living and care operators are using digital strategies built for 2019 online search behavior, which doesn't push them to the top of the search list for those families looking for quality senior living care.

Artificial intelligence is already in the room, with adult children trusting it to help them make decisions about the living arrangements and care of their aging loved ones. Most providers, however, aren’t optimized for AI, leaving them off of search results, according to one healthcare marketing ...

04/28/2026

Celebrate National Nurses Week with LTCNA: May 6 - 12, 2026!

Hear from healthcare experts on the topics that matter to you in your daily grind while earning 5 CEs!

Each day (May 6 - 12) from 1pm - 2pm, we will feature a guest speaker with the knowledge and experience you can identify with your area.

Register here: https://members.ihca.com/ap/Events/Register/AnFx764HVCdCN
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May 6 | Michelle Stuercke, TCM Consulting & Management
"The Role of the IDT (Interdisciplinary Team) in Completing the MDS"

May 7 | Melissa Morgan, Medline Industries LP
Details TBD

May 8 | Dee Mayfield, Mayfield Health Seminars
"Tell Me What You Want, What You Really, Really Want"

May 11 | Nicole Seabolt, Synergy Care Inc.
"I Have a Story: Person-Centered Dementia Care in Skilled Nursing & Long Term Care"

May 12 | Deb Martin, CE Solutions
Details TBD

04/28/2026

78% of beneficiaries in nursing homes were covered by the traditional Fee-for-Service plan, with the remainder in Medicare Advantage plans.

Federal regulators could improve access to Institutional Special Needs Plans — programs proven to lower hospitalizations and aide in chronic disease management — by changing key rules that limit choice among nursing home patients.

04/28/2026

Immigrants make up 21% to 25% of the workforce in nursing homes and this number is even higher for certain roles like housekeeping.
https://skillednursingnews.com/2026/04/were-not-prepared-to-replace-them-immigration-changes-hit-nursing-homes-hard-undermining-workforce-stability/

Immigrant workers are the backbone of daily care at nursing homes, and recent policy changes, including exorbitant visa fees, have created new barriers

04/28/2026

How chronic diseases can cause excessive fatigue and prompt napping as a coping mechanism for older adults.

Community-dwelling older adults who took longer and more frequent naps showed a higher risk of all-cause mortality, according to an April investigation published in JAMA Network Open.

04/27/2026

A house full of memories from decades of living may be what’s stopping some prospects from becoming senior living residents, according to this famous expert.

A house full of memories from decades of living may be what’s stopping some prospects from becoming senior living residents, according to an expert in the field.

04/27/2026

CMS has asked state Medicaid directors to develop and submit two-year provider revalidation strategies in addition to increasing oversight of “high-risk” providers.

Assisted living operators that provide Medicaid home- and community-based services to their residents could be front and center in a new federal initiative aimed at clamping down on healthcare fraud.

04/25/2026

Landlords with influence and absence of oversight in nursing home real estate.

Real estate investment trusts are landlords for thousands of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals. Some select the managers and keep close watch but deny blame for bad care.

04/24/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us last week for our 2026 Lobby Day event at the Illinois State Capitol to advocate for long term care residents, staff and providers. Your voice and advocacy efforts really make a difference.

Your advocacy and lobbying efforts will have an enormous impact on long term care.

For those who missed this year's event, make sure to mark your calendars for Lobby Day 2027!

04/24/2026

This senior living community is turning to volunteers as a workforce solution that is hiding in plain sight.

The caregiving workforce is struggling to keep pace with the increasing demand for services as the older adult population gets larger. One senior living community said it is turning to volunteers as a “solution hiding in plain sight.”