The health care environment today is complex and ever changing. Regulatory changes are abundant, difficult, and costly to keep up with. Reimbursement models are changing to more risk based systems and value based payments rather than fee-for-service — rarely benefiting post-acute providers. Insurers and hospital systems are closely monitoring readmissions and patient lengths of stay, placing pressure on our staff and our patients to have much quicker and more complicated discharges. All of these changes are occurring while competition for skilled nursing and senior housing is increasing. Western New York is seeing a great turnover in ownership of post-acute providers from locally owned and operated to downstate and out-of-state owners; and with vastly different operational and payment strategies than we typically see in our area. However, in this tumultuous time, I see great opportunity for us at The Niagara Lutheran Health System.
Arriving on campus in April of this year, I have had a few months to do a thorough assessment of Niagara Lutheran Health System from my post as President and CEO. The preliminary results have yielded nothing but optimism for the Health System, its patients and residents, employees, and volunteers. The reputation of quality and compassion that we strive to achieve in the community makes us a prime choice for health care and housing needs in Western New York. In fact, I believe we are the premier continuing care community in the area.
By 2025, over 30% of the population of the US will be 65 or older. Because of this, the demand for our services will continue to grow. It will become necessary for our organization to continue to strategize so that we maintain our position in the market, and can continue to provide the best quality care to our residents and patients. We will continue to network with managed care organizations, hospital systems, and other local groups; as well as look for expansion opportunities to meet our community’s needs. Ever so important to the initiatives we have across our campus is the support of all of our Board, volunteers, and the Niagara Lutheran Health Foundation. It is because of the generous support of our donors that we are able to pursue many endeavors that simply could not happen without them. For this, we thank them not only for their generosity, but for the compassion and caring behind their actions that affects so many on our campus.
For more information on how you can help support our cause or if you would like to make a donation, please click here or contact the Niagara Lutheran Health Foundation at 716-684-0202 or via e-mail at Foundation@NiagaraLutheran.org.
