Because the mud settles from the 2024 presidential election, it’s clear that roughly half the nation is celebrating whereas the opposite half is disheartened.
The rationale for that latter response isn’t troublesome to understand: even Donald Trump’s staunchest followers would possibly admit that diplomacy and decorum aren’t his strongest fits.
But when we set private opinions apart and consider this end result strictly by way of its doubtless impression on senior residing, it’s laborious to argue that Nov. 5 wasn’t an excellent day for the sector.
Now earlier than you label me as shortsighted or ill-informed, please know two issues. First, I’ve been referred to as worse. And second, a Kamala Harris victory doubtless wouldn’t have been higher for the sphere. Until, in fact, you get pleasure from extra oversight, infinite guidelines and regulatory “steerage” that was by no means requested for.
So why am I defending a person that so many appear to hate? Let’s begin with the plain. Senior residing has lengthy been weighed down by extreme purple tape, which may stifle innovation, decrease efficiencies and complicate every day operations.
With a Trump administration’s extra laissez-faire strategy, operators are more likely to discover some much-needed respiratory room. This, in flip, will encourage a extra entrepreneurial spirit, important in a subject the place balancing high quality care and profitability is a continuing problem.
Extra considerably, Trump’s victory makes the trade’s darkest concern — federal oversight for assisted residing — extremely unlikely.
Below a Harris administration, the possibility of senior residing falling below a nationwide regulatory microscope was a lot greater, together with the prospect of latest federal requirements. The present state-by-state regulatory framework hardly is ideal. However as any nursing dwelling operator will shortly inform you, federal oversight will be a lot worse.
Now, I totally count on some pushback on this angle, and that’s honest. Harris supporters have reliable considerations about placing a strongman-wanna-be accountable for the nation. It’s no secret Trump has confronted a spread of accusations, together with incitement of the Jan. 6 riot, election interference, obstruction of justice, sexual misconduct, unethical enterprise practices, mishandling labeled paperwork and making discriminatory remarks. There are definitely troubling traits in that listing of shortcomings, and it in all probability overlooked a number of issues.
However diminished or eradicated purple tape implies that senior residing operators may have extra time to innovate and adapt in ways in which elevate care and income. All issues thought-about, that certain appears like a victory.
John O’Connor is editorial director for McKnight’s Senior Dwelling and its sister media manufacturers, McKnight’s Lengthy-Time period Care Information, which focuses on expert nursing, and McKnight’s Dwelling Care. Learn extra of his columns right here.
