Pennsylvania Health Care Association president and CEO highlights state’s skilled nursing facilities

Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA) President and CEO Russ McDaid highlighted Pennsylvania’s skilled nursing facilities on a statewide public affairs TV program, which began airing Sunday.

McDaid noted that skilled nursing facilities improved in 17 out of 23 quality measures outlined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and that most facilities demonstrated an improvement of more than 50 percent.

“It’s important for the public to understand that the value Pennsylvania’s skilled nursing facilities provide does not come at the expense of quality,” McDaid said. “Our state has extensive measures in place to keep our loved ones safe, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health has, and continues to; provide intense and thorough enforcement of the state and federal regulations to protect the residents of Pennsylvania’s skilled nursing facilities. In short, Pennsylvania skilled nursing facilities are rising to the occasion and making tremendous progress to meet or exceed higher national standards.”

McDaid also urged Pennsylvania residents to plan for the future.

“Your conversation should be a starting point, and lead to follow-up discussions,” he said. “This is often a difficult topic for everyone, and decisions don’t have to be made immediately. But beginning the conversation means you’ll be better prepared to accommodate the wishes of your loved one when the time comes.”

More than 30,000 nurses currently provide daily care to 125,000 residents in Pennsylvania’s skilled nursing facilities, assisted living residences and personal care homes. Pennsylvania ranks fourth nationally in the percentage of people 65 and older. By 2030, the state is expected to have more than 400,000 residents age 85 and older.