McKnight's Podcast

McKnights

Conversations with industry newsmakers in the Homecare, Long Term Care, and Senior Living market.

  1. Live from New York! Insights from senior living and care industry experts

    2D AGO

    Live from New York! Insights from senior living and care industry experts

    ​In this Newsmaker’s podcast, McKnight’s editors bring you highlights of the 2026 McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards​ + Summit​ in New York City — as well as thought leadership from senior living and care experts, recorded live at the event. Learn: The single most important thing you can do to transform your workforce strategy immediately. What providers need to do to make senior living and care more attractive to prospective employees. The small steps you can take to increase happiness, positivity and gratefulness in your personal and professional lives. What successful operators should be focused on. The importance of actionable data for operators, investors and lenders. More about the biggest challenges facing the profession — and solutions to those challenges — as well as predictions for the future of long-term care. ​​Listen now to gain insights from: Lifetime Achievement Award winner Mary Ousley, President of Ousley & Associates and Chief Strategy Officer, PruittHealth Keynote speaker Scott White, chairman of Invesque and author of “The Life is Too Short Guy” Thought Leader Award winner Scott McQuinn, President and CEO, Life Enriching Communities Industry Ally Award winner Kurt Read, Managing Director and Partner/Board Member, RSF Partners/NIC Marketplace Influencer Award winner Lisa Thomson, COO, Pathway Health Pinnacle Summit Panelist Matt Durgin, VP of Marketing, Smartlinx Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    27 min
  2. Don't wait for the red flag: How to spot and stop 'operational drift' in senior care

    6D AGO ·  BONUS

    Don't wait for the red flag: How to spot and stop 'operational drift' in senior care

    Financial distress in senior care rarely happens overnight. Subtle breakdowns in cash conversion, labor alignment, and sales momentum often appear long before a census decline makes the crisis visible. Yet, many owners and lenders remain focused on occupancy rather than the execution metrics that actually drive it. In the latest episode of the McKnight’s Market Leaders podcast, Executive Editor Jim Berklan sits down with experts from Everest Management Solutions to discuss "operational drift" — a quiet threat that can devastate a facility if left unchecked. Joining the conversation are Elizabeth Thornton, chief operating officer, and Tiffany Flynn, vice president for senior living sales and operations. Together, they pull back the layers on why a stable census can sometimes mask deep-seated structural issues. The discussion highlights three critical areas for operators to monitor: -Quality over quantity: A high census is meaningless if it consists of "bad" revenue, such as unoptimized rates or significant collection issues. -The churn trap: In senior living, net move-ins and length of stay are more predictive than raw occupancy, which often hides a high-turnover "revolving door" of residents. -Leadership and systems: Stabilization is only realistic if leadership is held accountable and provided with the systemic tools — not just cost-cutting mandates — to succeed. As the experts note, waiting for a formal survey deficiency or a financial crash is often waiting too long. Success requires a holistic, interdisciplinary look at daily operations to ensure quality outcomes match the revenue goals. "Operational drift doesn't announce itself. It shows up quietly," Flynn warns. "It shows up in the metrics. It shows up in the way the staff is responding ... It’s not like a big red flag goes up that says it’s time to get help." Listen to the full podcast episode to learn how to build a practical framework for stabilizing performance and protecting your asset value before the drift becomes a downfall. Note: This recap was assisted by Gemini, which used artificial intelligence to help capture key points. It has been reviewed by an editor for accuracy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    24 min
  3. Kendal at Home CEO Giacobbe looks back on nearly 23 years at helm

    MAR 12

    Kendal at Home CEO Giacobbe looks back on nearly 23 years at helm

    Kendal at Home was one of the first “CCRC with no walls” programs of its kind. Now there are about 40 programs like it, Giacobbe said. The model is designed to serve the older adult who wants the connection and assurances of a retirement community but is adamant about staying at home. A key staff role is the care coordinator who serves as a liaison between the family of the client and the CCRC, and also manages the client’s care and treatment.  The program is similar to hospice except that while hospice aims for a person to die with dignity, Kendal at Home wants the member to live with dignity, Giacobbe said. Some members have been in the program since its inception. Over the years, technology, which can monitor health conditions, has helped members stay independent and connected. Kendal at Home has grown up with Medicare Advantage, which offers supplemental benefits such as home care. Healthcare in general today is focused on preventing falls and keeping people cognitively sharp, Giacobbe said. She is proudest of being part of something unique in the long-term care space and watching it flourish. She has also enjoyed partnering with LeadingAge, a big supporter of CCRCs, and serving members faithfully for so many years. Follow us on social media: X: @McKHomeCare Facebook: McKnight's Home Care LinkedIn: McKnight's Home Care Instagram: mcknights_homecare Follow Kendal at Home on social media: X: @KendalatHome Facebook: Kendal at Home LinkedIn: Kendal at Home Show contributors:McKnight’s Home Care Editor Liza Berger; Lynne Giacobbe, CEO, Kendal at Home Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    21 min
  4. Empassion CEO to hospice providers: ‘Lean in’ to possibility of MA hospice carve-in

    FEB 12

    Empassion CEO to hospice providers: ‘Lean in’ to possibility of MA hospice carve-in

    Robin Heffernan, PhD, started Empassion during the COVID-19 pandemic to help support people with hospice and palliative care in their last year of life. During this time, she had a personal brush with the benefit as her dad needed it. The company’s new hospice certification, launched earlier this month, aims to separate the high-quality hospices from the rest. The certification has generated a lot of interest, from providers and regulators, she said. With the certification, the company is not creating new metrics, but rather paring the metrics down to five to seven that really matter. With the mainstream press talking about hospice fraud, the certification is a way to take advantage of the attention and help people understand that there are great hospices available to provide care. The Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) model, the hospice component of which ended in 2024, was also an impetus for the certification. Because a second demonstration likely is inevitable given the prevalence of MA, it’s important that MA plans be able to work with good hospices. She is optimistic that, given the healthcare savings that hospice allows, MA plans would pay hospice agencies fairly. While home health agencies had a difficult experience with MA plans, at least initially, the difference is MA plans truly see the ROI of hospice; not all grasp the value of home health, she said. Follow us on social media: X: @McKHomeCare Facebook: McKnight's Home Care LinkedIn: McKnight's Home Care Instagram: mcknights_homecare Follow Empassion on social media: LinkedIn: Empassion Health Show contributors: McKnight’s Home Care Editor Liza Berger; Robin Heffernan, PhD, co-founder and CEO, Empassion  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    21 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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Conversations with industry newsmakers in the Homecare, Long Term Care, and Senior Living market.

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