In this episode of the Nursing Home Podcast, we explore the risk management side of marketing for healthcare facilities with Christina Woldrick, director of Risk Management at Friends Services Alliance. With over 30 years of experience, Christina shares insights from her transition from medical malpractice defense to healthcare risk management. We delve into the implications of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 on senior living communities and discuss common forms of discrimination and the concept of reasonable accommodation for disabilities. We further discuss the risks concerning fair housing rules in marketing, the potential pitfalls in targeting particular groups, and the importance of educating staff and residents about their rights. Lastly, Christina emphasizes the importance of discussing and defining risk tolerance within the healthcare community to avoid potential legal issues. Summary The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing choices and lending based on protected class status. Senior living communities are considered housing providers and are subject to the Fair Housing Act. Refusing admission or denying reasonable accommodations for disability can lead to litigation and monetary settlements. Senior living communities must meet the essential requirements of tenancy, including paying rent on time, keeping the unit clean, and obeying community rules. Reasonable accommodations should be provided to residents with disabilities to help them meet the essential requirements of tenancy. There are parameters and rules surrounding reasonable accommodations, such as reviewing and signing off on scooter rules or having construction requirements for accessibility. Failure to comply with the Fair Housing Act and provide reasonable accommodations can result in reputational damage and legal consequences. "Providing reasonable accommodations is not only a legal requirement but also a moral obligation to ensure equal access and fair treatment for all residents." #HealthcareMarketingRisks #FairHousingAct #SeniorLivingCommunities

In a climate of constantly expanding work options for nurses, how do you keep your in-house staff from leaving? Sara Well, founder and CEO of Dropstat, describes how the pandemic impacted retention of nursing staff and explains how her company is working with healthcare organizations to solve their in-house staffing shortages.

With the growing healthcare staffing shortage, many organizations can’t keep up with day-to-day patient outreach. Eric Alvarez, Founder & CEO of Grapefruit Health, explains how his company is employing clinical students to alleviate these low acuity but highly necessary tasks.

Is it possible to keep your staff from leaving even if the facility down the street pays a dime more? Erica Coleman, CEO of Clinton Area Care Center, states that creating an atmosphere of care and transparency will make staff want to stay and the only way to make this happen is through your own attitude and actions.

Thinking about home health care for you or your loved one but don't know how to get started? Sam Gopinathan, CEO of New Wave Home Care, explains how home care works, how to pay for it with long term care insurance, and why it is important to seek out home care agencies over private caregivers.

Do you want to start a senior care home but don't have the sufficient funds to invest in a multi-million dollar venture? Lindsay Mclaughlin introduces the concept of residential assisted living homes and explains why they can be a good option for those who want a more personalized and hands-on experience in the senior care industry.

What should you do if you're a Clinical Liaison and you are instructed by your administrator to fix your facility’s census? Nebras Hayek, assistant Vice President of Gentell, Inc., gives some strategies that can be used to improve census numbers and target specific issues that are hindering a facility’s progress.

While it might be tempting to spend time and energy making a plan for staffing recruitment, you must be able to stick to that plan no matter what. Avi Richman, Director of Labor Management and Recruiting at Vita Healthcare Group, states that consistency and follow through on planned processes is the only way to ensure that they work at all.

What if the only thing keeping a would-be experienced and passionate healthcare worker from becoming a CNA was money? Athena Kan, CEO of Dreambound, understands that one of the largest barriers preventing people from becoming CNAs is finding funding for a training program.

How can one of the most widespread mental health conditions be one of the least covered during trainings of similar neural conditions? Dr. Jennifer Stelter and her business partner Jessica Ryan explain how providing engaging training about dementia can increase employee retention and give caregivers essential skills when helping those with this all-too-common condition.