nursing homes

Spouses of former military members are now fifth on the priority list to be admitted to state veterans' nursing homes.

The 108-unit complex off Apalachee Parkway houses senior residents on low incomes. It has no backup power and is not required to have it under current Florida law.

The U.S. Department of Justice urged a federal appeals court to reject an attempt by Florida to halt an injunction requiring changes aimed at keeping children with complex medical conditions out of nursing homes.

In an effort to address the ongoing worker shortage at Florida’s nursing homes, lawmakers are looking into a plan that would let Certified Nursing Assistants get trained as medication aides. Supporters say the plan would free up nurses and create a glide path for CNAs to get more training.

Deputy Executive Director Bob Asztalos of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs told a Senate committee that wages are finally competitive, thanks to a $5.6 million boost in state funding last year.

Under the new law, CNAs must provide a daily average of at least two hours of direct care to each resident. That’s 30 minutes less than the old rule, but the AARP points out it amounts to a 20 percent reduction in time residents will spend with the people who take care of their basic daily needs like eating and bathing.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed 42 bills, including a heavily debated measure that will change staffing standards in nursing homes. The nursing-home industry lobbied for the measure.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Wednesday a measure intended to ensure patients and residents of hospitals, nursing homes and other health-care facilities can have contact with visitors.

Opponents of a bill that would change nursing home staffing standards are ratcheting up efforts to convince Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto it.

Senate Bill 804 and House Bill 1239 would reduce the required daily hours for certified nursing assistants by 20%.