Hey there, nursing home enthusiasts! It’s time for our monthly deep dive into the world of nursing homes. I’ve been crunching the numbers from the latest September 2024 data, and I’ve got some interesting tidbits to share with you. Grab a cup of coffee, and let’s chat about what’s been happening in the nursing home landscape.
First things first, let’s talk about the big picture. As of September 1, 2024, we’re looking at 14,817 nursing homes across the country, with a total of 1,583,051 beds. Now, if you’re thinking, “Wait a minute, that sounds a bit different from last month,” you’d be right on the money. We’ve actually seen a small decrease – we’re down 8 homes and 1,200 beds compared to August. It’s not a massive change, but it’s part of a trend we’ve been seeing for a while now.
To put this in perspective, let’s take a trip down memory lane to January 2014. Back then, we had 15,653 homes with 1,664,730 beds. That’s quite a difference, isn’t it? Over the past decade, we’ve seen a gradual decrease in both the number of nursing homes and the total number of beds. It’s like we’re watching a slow-motion game of musical chairs, but with nursing homes.
Now, you might be wondering, “With fewer homes and beds, are the remaining ones getting more crowded?” Well, not really. The occupancy rate in September 2024 was 77.4%, which is exactly the same as it was in August. It’s worth noting that small differences from month to month can sometimes be more about how the data is reported than actual changes on the ground. So, we’re not seeing any big shifts in how full these homes are, despite the slight decrease in total beds.
Let’s switch gears and talk about quality ratings. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) uses a Five-Star Quality Rating System to help us understand how well nursing homes are performing. It’s like Yelp reviews, but for healthcare. In September, we saw 399 nursing homes get an upgrade in their Overall Rating, while 373 got downgraded. That’s about 0.03% of all facilities in both directions – not a huge shake-up, but it shows that things are always changing.
So, how do the ratings break down overall? Well, we’ve got 2,754 homes with the coveted 5-star rating, 2,493 with 4 stars, 2,841 with 3 stars, 3,162 with 2 stars, and 3,423 with 1 star. There are also 144 homes that don’t have a rating yet – CMS usually needs about two years of data before they can slap a star rating on a place.
Now, let’s talk inspections. In September, we saw results from 50 new inspections. That might not sound like a lot, and you’re right – it isn’t. In fact, there are quite a few homes out there that haven’t had an inspection reported for over a year. Normally, CMS is supposed to do health inspections every year, but that’s been a bit off track since COVID hit. It’s definitely something to keep an eye on, as these inspections are a key part of making sure nursing homes are up to snuff.
Alright, let’s chat about staffing. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been pushing for nurses to spend more time with residents. So, how are we doing on that front? Well, in September 2024, we’re looking at an average of 0.663 hours per day from registered nurses, 2.260 hours from nursing aides, and a total of 3.798 hours of staff time per resident per day.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. These numbers are exactly the same as they were last month. But if we look back a year, we see a tiny increase. Last September, we were looking at 0.660 hours for RNs, 2.220 for aides, and 3.760 total. So we’re seeing a small but positive trend in staffing hours over the past year.
So, what does all this mean for you, whether you’re a resident in a nursing home or have a loved one in one? Well, it’s a mixed bag. On one hand, we’re seeing a gradual decrease in the number of nursing homes and beds, which could potentially make it a bit harder to find a place. But on the flip side, occupancy rates aren’t changing much, so it’s not like we’re facing a massive shortage.
The quality ratings show that there’s still a lot of variation out there. There are plenty of great 5-star facilities, but there are also quite a few 1-star places that could use some improvement. If you’re looking at nursing homes, it’s definitely worth checking out these ratings, but remember – they’re just one piece of the puzzle.
The lack of recent inspections in many homes is a bit concerning. These inspections are crucial for maintaining quality care, so it’s something to be aware of. If you’re in a nursing home or considering one, don’t be afraid to ask when their last inspection was and when they expect the next one.
As for staffing, the small increase in hours over the past year is a positive sign. More time with staff, especially registered nurses, can lead to better care. But the changes are pretty small, so you might not notice a huge difference in day-to-day care.
Remember, behind all these numbers are real people – residents, staff, family members, and friends. While the data gives us a big-picture view of what’s happening in nursing homes across the country, it doesn’t tell the whole story of any individual facility. Your personal experiences and interactions with staff are just as important as these statistics.
So, what should you do with all this info? Stay curious and ask questions. If you’re in a nursing home or have a loved one in one, don’t be afraid to ask about their star rating, their last inspection, or their staffing levels. Use this data as a starting point for conversations about the quality of care.
And hey, if you’re a data nerd like me and want to dig deeper, check out the links I’ve shared. There’s a whole world of nursing home data out there waiting to be explored.
That’s all for this month’s nursing home number crunch. Remember, knowledge is power, especially when it comes to healthcare. Stay informed, stay curious, and I’ll catch you next month for another deep dive into the world of nursing home data!
Here are links to our analysis to go further in depth: