Tag: skilled nursing

2025 Skilled Nursing Facility Industry Outlook

2025 Skilled Nursing Facility Industry Outlook 

The highlights:

  • A 4.2% increase in Medicare Part A payments to SNFs for FY 2025 provides essential financial support amid rising operational costs.
  • CMS is taking steps to reform prior authorizations in response to growing concerns over Medicare Advantage denials.
  • Occupancy rates are recovering and projected to return to pre-pandemic levels, while staffing shortages remain a major concern.
  • Technology will continue to play an increasingly significant role in driving operational efficiencies.

The skilled nursing facility (SNF) landscape continues to evolve in 2025, shaped by regulatory changes and challenges, rising demand, continued workforce shortages, and technological advancements. As the industry adapts to post-pandemic realities, several key trends are emerging that will impact patients and providers in 2025.

Medicare Rate Increases

In a welcomed development for SNF operators, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a 4.2% increase in Medicare Part A payments to SNFs in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. This adjustment provides much-needed financial support for facilities facing rising operational costs.  

Medicare Advantage Denials Draw Scrutiny

The U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations published a report last year on the growing denial rate for post-acute care for Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries. Their investigation found that the largest MA insurers are disproportionately leveraging the prior authorization process to deny stays in post-acute care facilities. In an effort to improve access, CMS has taken steps to reform prior authorizations and hold MA and Part D plans more accountable for delivering high-quality coverage.  

SNF Value-Based Purchasing Program Focuses on Hospital Readmissions

Through the SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program, CMS awards SNFs incentive payments for improved quality of care. For FY 2025, performance in the SNF VBP Program is centered around a single measure of all-cause hospital readmissions. Facilities that excel in preventing readmissions will be well-positioned to maximize their incentive payments in 2025. By leveraging ACP’s evidence-based clinical programming and advanced rehab technologies, SNFs can identify at-risk patients earlier, implement targeted interventions, and reduce readmission rates.  

Occupancy Trends Up

The industry is seeing encouraging signs of recovery in occupancy rates. According to recent data from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), senior housing, assisted living, and independent living occupancy rates reached 86.5% in Q4 2024 and are projected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year. This growth and a decline in operational bed inventory suggest a strengthening demand for SNF services. 

Workforce Challenges Continue

Staffing challenges remain a concern for many SNFs in 2025 and beyond. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) predicts a deficit of nearly 80,000 full-time RNs in 2025, a concerning shortage that could continue into 2037. With increased demand for post-acute care, the industry must embrace creative staffing solutions and care delivery models to bridge this gap. Through robust training programs and ongoing clinical support, ACP helps facilities maximize their workforce capabilities. By equipping staff with the latest techniques, ACP enables SNFs to maintain high care standards despite staffing constraints.  

Leveraging Technology to Drive Efficiency

In 2025, providers will continue to turn to technology to help solve some of the industry’s most pressing challenges. As SNFs seek solutions to enhance operational efficiencies, reduce costs, and maintain high-quality care, platforms like ACPlus will lead the way. By interconnecting patients, devices, and EHR systems, ACPlus can streamline clinical workflows and drive better outcomes. Through the app, clinicians can conduct objective assessments to inform care planning. Our latest module within the app, ACPlus Respiratory Assessment (ARA), transforms respiratory care by helping SNFs identify patients with pulmonary dysfunction and generating treatment recommendations – demonstrating how sophisticated technology can both improve patient outcomes and drive efficiencies. 

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The skilled nursing facility landscape continues to evolve in 2025, shaped by regulatory changes and challenges, rising demand, continued workforce shortages, and technological advancements. As the industry adapts to post-pandemic realities, several key trends are emerging that will impact patients and providers in 2025.

Moving Beyond Aerobics: The Benefits of Cycling in Rehabilitation

Moving Beyond Aerobics: The Benefits of Cycling in Rehabilitation  

While it’s been proven that cycling is an effective rehab tool for building aerobic capacity and improving strength1, its benefits extend far beyond—from improving gait and core stability to boosting mental health and cognitive function. Keep reading to learn why cycling is a key component of many of our evidence-based clinical programs and how to incorporate it into your rehab program to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life. 

1. Preparing for Gait Training  

Cycling is an excellent pre-gait activity that helps patients improve their motor control and reciprocal patterning for leg movement and arm swing. It also helps improve gait characteristics like limb symmetry, step length, speed, and distance. Cycling can also reduce patients’ risk and fear of falling, setting them up for more successful gait training.  

2. Improving Task Performance Ahead of ADL Training  

Cycling can significantly improve task performance by enhancing muscle activation and timing, which is crucial for self-care activities. For patients with conditions like Parkinson’s disease, cycling can help reduce upper extremity tremors and improve movement and balance.  

3. Boosting Core Strength & Power 

Cycling effectively engages core stability muscles, including the abdominals, back muscles, pelvic floor, and diaphragm. By activating spinal stabilizers, it can promote upright posture and balance, which are essential for daily activities and reducing fall risk.  

4. Reducing Pain & Physiological Stress 

Cycling aids autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulation and can be a helpful pain management tool for patients experiencing hip and knee pain. It can also significantly decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure.  

5. Decreasing Anxiety & Elevating Mood 

Cycling can have a profound impact on mental health and cognitive function. It decreases anxiety and increases happiness by boosting endorphins, which help elevate mood and sleep quality. By increasing blood flow to the brain, it can also improve cognitive function, including coordination, planning, and memory.   

6. Reducing Abnormal Muscle Tone & Stiffness 

Active and motorized active-assisted rhythmical cycling facilitates the body’s relaxation response, which can decrease abnormal muscle tone and improve patients’ range and quality of movement.  

Supercharge Outcomes with Biofeedback & Virtual Reality

Moving Beyond Aerobics: The Benefits of Cycling in Rehabilitation  

The OmniCycle Connect can improve patient outcomes by using biofeedback to help patients execute upper and lower cycling exercises. Paired with OmniTour, our immersive virtual cycling technology, patients stay engaged and motivated, ensuring they get the most out of each training session.

  1. Kardan, M., Akter, T., Iqbal, M., Tcymbal, A., Messing, S., Gelius, P., & Abu-Omar, K. (2023). Cycling in older adults: A scoping review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5, 1157503. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1157503 ↩︎

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While it’s been proven that cycling is an effective rehab tool for building aerobic capacity and improving strength, its benefits extend far beyond—from improving gait and core stability to boosting mental health and cognitive function. Keep reading to learn why cycling is a key component of many of our evidence-based clinical programs and how to incorporate it into your rehab program to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.

ACP Clinical Education 2024

2024 ACP Clinical Education Recap: Advancing Clinical Excellence for Better Patient Outcomes

Education is the foundation of exceptional patient care, and ACP is proud to provide outstanding clinical education that helps our partners grow their skills and deliver superior patient outcomes. To close out 2024, we wanted to reflect on the clinical education milestones we reached this year, including exciting new additions to our clinical education offerings.   

As clinicians and educators, our goal is to provide our partners with the clinical education they need to make informed, evidence-based decisions. I am proud of the work we have done this year to provide even greater value to our partners, and ultimately, their patients.

John Tawfik, PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA, Director of Clinical Services

In 2024, we continued to provide comprehensive educational opportunities, hosting 2,458 live course sessions that engaged 15,516 learners. Our online learning platform saw unprecedented participation, with 19,053 online courses completed and over 21,000 active learners on ACP University. Our National Webinar Series (NWS) remained a cornerstone of our offerings, with 105 courses conducted and 1,999 clinicians awarded CE hours.  

This year, we expanded our continuing education program, underscoring our ongoing commitment to growing interdisciplinary education. We launched 17 new Nursing CE courses, with 305 course completions. We also introduced five new Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) CE courses, with 350 course completions. We also expanded our educational portfolio by introducing two new PT/OT courses and two new ASHA-approved courses for SLPs

One of our most significant achievements in 2024 was the launch of ACP Certifications, which allow clinicians and facilities to become certified in ACP’s evidence-based Cardiopulmonary Rehab, Continence Improvement, Pain Management, Wound Management, and Fall Prevention clinical programs. Since launching in May, we are proud to share that 50+ clinicians have become ACP Certified, demonstrating advanced expertise in these practice areas.  

We are deeply grateful for our incredible community of learners, educators, and partners. Your trust, engagement, and commitment to continuous learning have been the driving force behind these achievements. As we look forward to the coming year, we remain dedicated to supporting our partners in pursuing clinical excellence and improved patient outcomes. 

Education is the foundation of exceptional patient care, and ACP is proud to provide outstanding clinical education that helps our partners grow their skills and deliver superior patient outcomes. To close out 2024, we wanted to reflect on the clinical education milestones we reached this year, including exciting new additions to our clinical education offerings

Clinician treating patient's hand with OmniSWD Shortwave Diathermy.

Shortwave Diathermy: A Drug-Free Approach to Pain Management

The highlights:

  • Shortwave Diathermy (SWD) is a therapeutic treatment that uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves to generate heat within body tissues, providing non-invasive, drug-free pain relief. 
  • SWD can effectively manage several types of pain, including joint, post-operative, post-traumatic, and chronic pain. It also increases local blood flow, relieves muscle spasms, decreases joint stiffness, and helps treat chronic inflammatory conditions. 
  • ACP’s OmniSWD system offers built-in clinical protocols, making it easier for clinicians to use. It achieves therapeutic thermal doses with 25% greater efficiency, saving time and improving patient outcomes. 

Pain impacts more than 30% of long-term care residents. In addition to reducing quality of life, pain can limit patients’ ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), restrict their ability to socialize, and lead to depression.1 Effectively managing pain is essential to helping patients maintain a high quality of life, improve mobility, and promote healing. Innovative technologies like shortwave diathermy (SWD) can be a valuable tool for clinicians seeking to deliver effective, non-invasive, and drug-free pain relief. In this post, we’ll explore what shortwave diathermy is, how it works, and how it can be a valuable pain management tool. 

What is Shortwave Diathermy?

SWD is a therapeutic treatment modality that uses high frequency pulsed electromagnetic waves to generate therapeutic heat within the body tissue. SWD can be applied for subthermal or thermal effects, penetrating deeply enough to reach muscles, joints, and soft tissues without overheating the skin. In addition to providing an analgesic effect, the heat also increases local blood flow, providing a safe and effective means of addressing pain and inflammation stemming from common conditions like contractures, slow-healing wounds, joint stiffness, and more.

The Benefits of Shortwave Diathermy in Pain Management

SWD offers several indications for common types of pain, including:

  • Joint2
  • Post-operative3
  • Post-traumatic4
  • Chronic5

In addition to providing effective pain relief, SWD can:

  • Increase local blood flow6
  • Relieve muscle spasms7
  • Decrease joint contractures/stiffness8
  • Increase extensibility of collagen tissue9
  • Help treat chronic inflammatory conditions10

OmniSWD®

Shortwave Diathermy System

I am pain-free and walking with a cane. I am looking forward to attending my sister’s baby shower.

Mr. Mickens on his treatment with OmniSWD and OmniCycle

OmniSWD® Shortwave Diathermy System

ACP’s OmniSWD Shortwave Diathermy System simplifies the integration of SWD into patient care by offering built-in clinical protocols for six indications. This feature removes the guesswork from selecting the appropriate therapy, ensuring safe and effective treatment. Additionally, the OmniSWD system enhances efficiency by delivering therapeutic thermal doses with 25% greater effectiveness, saving valuable time for clinicians and improving patient outcomes.

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  1. Shrestha, S., Cummings, G., Knopp-Sihota, J., et al. (2024). Factors influencing health-related quality of life among long-term care residents experiencing pain: A systematic review protocol. Systematic Reviews, 13(49). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-024-02459-7 ↩︎
  2. Van Nguyen, J., & Marks, R. (2002). Pulsed electromagnetic fields for treating osteo-arthritis. Physiotherapy, 88(8), 458-470. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9406(05)60848-6 ↩︎
  3. Santiesteban A. J., & Grant, C. (1985). Post-surgical effect of pulsed shortwave therapy. Journal of the American Podiatry Association, 75(6), 306-309. https://doi.org/10.7547/87507315-75-6-306 ↩︎
  4. Draper, D. O., Abergel, R. P., Castel, J. C., & Schlaak, C. (2000). Pulsed short-wave diathermy restricts swelling and bruising of liposuction patients. American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, 17(1), 17-20. https://doi.org/10.1177/074880680001700105 ↩︎
  5. Fukuda, T., da Cunha, R., Fukuda, V. O., Rienzo, F. A., Cazarini, C. Jr., Carvalho, Nde A., & Centini, A. A. (2011). Pulsed shortwave treatment in women with knee osteoarthritis: A multicenter, randomized, placebo- controlled clinical trial. Physical Therapy, 91(7), 1009-1017. https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20100306 ↩︎
  6. Karasuno, H., Morozumi, K., Fujiwara, T., Goh, A. C., Yamamoto, I., & Senga, F. (2005). Changes in intramuscular blood volume induced by continuous shortwave diathermy. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 17(2), 71-79. ↩︎
  7. McCray, R. E., & Patton, N. J. (1984). Pain relief at trigger points: A comparison of moist heat and shortwave diathermy. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 5(4), 175-178. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.1984.5.4.175 ↩︎
  8. Leung, M. F. S., & Cheing, G. L. Y. (2008). Effects of deep and superficial heating in the management of frozen shoulder. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 40(2), 145-50. https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0146 ↩︎
  9. Peres, S. E., Draper, D. O., Knight, K. L., & Ricard, M. D. (2002). Pulsed shortwave diathermy and prolonged long-duration stretching increase dorsiflexion range of motion more than identical stretching without diathermy. Journal of Athletic Training, 37(1), 43-50. ↩︎
  10. Szlosek, P. A., Taggart, J., Cavallario, J. M., & Hoch, J. M. (2014). Effectiveness of diathermy in comparison with ultrasound or corticosteroids in patients with tendinopathy: A critically appraised topic. Journal of Sports Rehabilitation, 23(4), 370-375. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2013-0063 ↩︎

Pain impacts more than 30% of long-term care residents. In addition to reducing quality of life, pain can limit patients’ ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), restrict their ability to socialize, and lead to depression.1 Effectively managing pain is essential to helping patients maintain a high quality of life, improve mobility, and promote healing. Innovative technologies like shortwave diathermy (SWD) can be a valuable tool for clinicians seeking to deliver effective, non-invasive, and drug-free pain relief. In this post, we’re exploring what shortwave diathermy is, how it works, and how it can be a valuable pain management tool.

Improving Swallow Ability After Respiratory Failure

Improving Swallow Ability After Acute Respiratory Failure

After being hospitalized for acute respiratory failure, an 81-year-old woman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility. She was intubated (tube inserted in airway to assist with breathing), had pneumonia caused by aspiration (material entering the lungs), and was experiencing oropharyngeal dysphagia (difficulty eating and swallowing). Although she had a history of dysphagia from a previous spinal surgery, she was able to return to a diet of regular food and thin liquids prior to this hospitalization. To get her back on track, she was referred for speech language pathology (SLP) services. 

Therapy Protocol

Speech Therapy

  • 5x/week x 4 weeks

Synchrony Dysphagia Solutions by ACP® Portable with OmnisEMG™ Biofeedback

  • Effortful swallow and Mendelsohn maneuvers using Kangaroo virtual reality representation of the muscle output to improve strength and coordination

Additional Interventions

  • Patient and caregiver education on swallowing exercise and oral care

After undergoing four weeks of speech therapy with Synchrony Dysphagia Solutions by ACP®, the patient had improved her swallow timing and coordination and regained her ability to consume regular food. 

I came here not being able to enjoy my food/liquids the way I used to. Through the Synchrony visual feedback and guidance from my SLP, I got the help and confidence I needed to complete my exercises correctly and continue to do them on my own without any help.

Patient

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After being hospitalized for acute respiratory failure, an 81-year-old woman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility. She was intubated, had pneumonia caused by aspiration, and was experiencing oropharyngeal dysphagia. To help get her back on track, she was referred for speech language pathology (SLP) services. Find out how her care team used Synchrony Dysphagia Solutions by ACP to help her return to a regular diet.

Journey Beyond Recovery with the OmniTour™ Virtual Exercise Experience

Journey Beyond Recovery with the OmniTour™ Virtual Exercise Experience 

We are excited to announce the launch of our newest technology, the OmniTour™ Virtual Exercise Experience. OmniTour is an innovative virtual reality-based system that boosts patient engagement, improves outcomes, and optimizes care delivery through immersive cycling experiences. By seamlessly connecting with multiple OmniCycle® Connect devices, OmniTour enables group therapy options that make rehabilitation more fun, effective, and efficient. 

OmniTour Features & Benefits 

OmniTour leverages the powerful, immersive nature of virtual reality (VR) to deliver a better patient rehabilitation experience while helping clinicians optimize care delivery. Here are just a few of the key features that make it a game-changing addition to your rehab gym: 

  • Tour Movies: Patients can cycle through over 100 virtual routes across the world, from Amsterdam’s canals to the Grand Canyon, motivating them to train more often and with greater effort. 
  • Memory Lane: Patients can journey back in time with archival photos, cycling through cities from the 1930s to the 1990s. 
  • Photo Albums: Themed image libraries offer additional engagement options, including a “Guess the Picture” mode to challenge patients cognitively. 
  • Group Therapy Options: OmniTour connects with up to four OmniCycle Connect devices via Bluetooth, enabling group therapy sessions that improve care efficiency and encourage valuable patient socialization. 

Enhance the Patient Experience with Virtual Reality 

Incorporating VR into rehabilitation can deliver significant patient benefits: 

  • Increased patient engagement and motivation1 to participate in treatment 
  • Longer, harder, and more intense training sessions 
  • Enhanced mood and reduced apathy2 
  • Optimized treatment efficiency through more skilled time and opportunities for dual-task training 

Tap into the Benefits of Group Therapy 

OmniTour’s group therapy capabilities offer benefits to both patients and facilities: 

  • Improved patient self-care performance when paired with individual treatment3 
  • Increased patient satisfaction with their therapy sessions3 
  • Reduced feelings of isolation through socialization and connection 
  • Better engagement through healthy competition 
  • Optimized resources while maintaining high-quality care 
  • Enhanced real-world skill application through more complex training environments 

Upgrade Your Rehabilitation Program & Deliver Better Patient Outcomes with OmniTour 

OmniTour has the potential to help skilled nursing facilities tap into the power of virtual reality, provide more engaging interventions, and ultimately achieve better patient outcomes. By combining the physical benefits of cycling with the cognitive and emotional engagement of virtual experiences, OmniTour offers an exciting approach to rehabilitation that addresses the whole patient. 

  1. Kizmaz, E., Telli Atalay, O., Çetin, N., & Uğurlu, E. (2024). Virtual reality for COPD exacerbation: A randomized controlled trial. Respiratory Medicine, 230, 107696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2024.107696  ↩︎
  2. D’Cunha, N. M., Nguyen, D., Naumovski, N., McKune, A. J., Kellett, J., Georgousopoulou, E. N., Frost, J., & Isbel, S. (2019). A mini-review of virtual reality-based interventions to promote well-being for people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Gerontology, 65(4), 430-440. https://doi.org/10.1159/000500040 ↩︎
  3. Luchynsky, M. K., Ashbaugh, K., Bowser, A., Campisi, E., Gleixner, M., Heinbach, B., & Snak, A. (2023). Efficacy of utilizing the group mode of treatment delivery in OT for skilled nursing facility settings. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(Supplement_2), 7711510267p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.77S2-PO267 ↩︎

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Breathing New Life into Respiratory Care: NHC's Success with ACPlus® Respiratory Assessment

Breathing New Life into Respiratory Care: NHC’s Success with ACPlus® Respiratory Assessment 

Key highlights:  

  • NHC’s pilot of ACPlus® Respiratory Assessment (ARA) in 3 centers since June 2023 has significantly improved respiratory care. 
  • ARA has helped reduce rehospitalization rates by 36% and has ensured that Medicare and Medicaid submissions reflect the medical complexity of the patient population, enhancing patient care and financial performance. 
  • NHC plans to expand ARA to all 11 facilities, emphasizing staff buy-in, systematic implementation, and patient-focused benefits for success. 

Respiratory care is a critical, often challenging, aspect of patient health in skilled nursing facilities. The ACPlus Respiratory Assessment (ARA) is changing this landscape, offering an innovative approach to identifying and managing respiratory issues. National Healthcare Corporation (NHC) recently piloted ARA in three of its facilities, with results that are transforming patient care and operational efficiency. 

Sarah Ison, Regional Therapy Director for NHC's central region
Sarah Ison, Regional Therapy Director, NHC

We spoke with Sarah Ison, Regional Therapy Director for NHC’s central region, to learn more about their experience with ARA, how they have been using it across their pilot facilities, and the results they have seen since implementing it in June 2023.

Implementing ARA

Various staff members, from nurses to therapists, can perform an assessment with ARA, allowing for flexibility in implementation. “Most of the buildings have three or four people doing the assessment,” Ison notes. “We have therapists doing it, nurses, and some nurse practitioners and respiratory therapists.” 

After some trial and error, they found a sustainable workflow to ensure each new admission was assessed in a timely manner. “We test every new admission within the first three days,” said Ison. “For our long-term care population, we test quarterly and as needed if someone notices a change.”

Uncovering Hidden Health Issues 

Ison reveals one of the biggest surprises they have encountered since adopting ARA is the volume of patients experiencing respiratory deficits who show no obvious symptoms. She estimates that of the patients they have assessed, 95% return results indicating a respiratory deficit. “It has really helped us to identify patients who would benefit from respiratory therapy, whom we might not have typically provided that service to,” said Ison.

Strengthening Documentation 

In an era of frequent healthcare audits, ARA provides robust documentation and objective data that has been invaluable for NHC’s staff. “Our documentation is constantly being reviewed, so we have found it was extremely beneficial having those ARA results and the documentation of those deficits to support what we were capturing on the MDS,” said Ison.

ARA’s Impact by the Numbers 

One of NHC’s inpatient facilities saw significant year-over-year improvement, which Ison attributes in part to their use of ARA starting in June 2023: 

  • Rehospitalization rates dropped 36% from May 2023 vs May 2024
  • Average daily Medicare Part A reimbursement increased by 4%  
  • Medicaid reimbursement rose 7.4% 

These numbers reflect not just financial value but also improved patient care and better outcomes. 

Finding Success with ARA

For those interested in implementing ARA in their facility, Ison offers the following framework to extract the most value from the tool: 

  1. Secure buy-in from leadership and key staff members 
  2. Develop a systematic approach to conducting assessments 
  3. Remain flexible and willing to adjust processes 
  4. Focus on the patient benefits to motivate staff

Looking Ahead

As a testament to ARA’s success, NHC plans to roll out ARA across all 11 facilities in Ison’s region. NHC’s experience with ARA emphasizes how early detection of respiratory deficits can transform patient care. By providing precise data and robust documentation, ARA is helping facilities like NHC deliver more comprehensive, targeted care for better patient outcomes. 

National Healthcare Corporation’s (NHC) experience does not represent a claim made by Accelerated Care plus. Your results with ACPlus® Respiratory Assessment may vary. 

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Respiratory care is a critical, often challenging, aspect of patient health in skilled nursing facilities. The ACPlus Respiratory Assessment (ARA) is changing this landscape, offering an innovative approach to identifying and managing respiratory issues. National Healthcare Corporation (NHC) recently piloted ARA in three of its facilities, with results that are transforming patient care and operational efficiency.

Enhancing Group Therapy with Virtual Reality in SNF Rehab 

Enhancing Group Therapy with Virtual Reality in SNF Rehab 

The highlights:

  • Integrating virtual reality (VR) into group therapy enhances patient engagement and functional outcomes, transforming the rehabilitation experience
  • Effective implementation involves selecting collaborative VR activities, fostering healthy competition, and adapting experiences to group dynamics for maximum benefit
  • ACP will soon launch a new technology that helps clinicians seamlessly incorporate VR into group therapy

As skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) navigate an increasingly competitive landscape, they constantly seek innovative ways to improve patient outcomes, drive operational efficiencies, and differentiate their rehabilitation programs. We recently covered how VR could transform skilled rehab. By thoughtfully integrating VR into group therapy sessions, clinicians can tap into synergies that address the key goals of modern SNFs: boosting patient engagement, enhancing functional outcomes, and optimizing the efficiency of care delivery.

The Synergies of VR and Group Therapy 

The Synergies of VR and Group Therapy

We have explored the individual benefits of VR and group therapy in SNF rehab. VR has proven to be an innovative solution that can increase patient engagement, encourage longer and more intense therapy sessions, and positively impact patient mood.1, 2 Meanwhile, group therapy settings have been shown to foster a supportive environment that enhances socialization, promotes healthy competition, and allows for more cost-effective care delivery. 

Together, group therapy and VR unlock a world of possibilities. The immersive, interactive nature of VR can take the group therapy experience to new heights, motivating patients to push the boundaries of their abilities while enjoying the camaraderie and encouragement of their peers. The social dynamics of group therapy can further amplify the engagement and therapeutic value of the VR experience. 

Practical Strategies for Incorporating VR into Group Therapy 

So, how can SNF clinicians harness the power of this dynamic duo? Here are some practical strategies for incorporating VR into group therapy sessions: 

Choose VR Experiences that Promote Collaboration 

Select VR applications that encourage teamwork and group interaction. For example, choose multiplayer activities where patients work together to achieve a shared goal or VR environments that simulate real-world tasks requiring coordination. 

Foster Friendly Competition  

Competition knows no age! Incorporate VR activities that allow patients to compete against their peers in a fun, supportive environment. Healthy rivalry can boost engagement and motivation, pushing participants to go beyond their perceived limits. 

Leverage Dual-Task Training 

Use VR to introduce cognitive challenges alongside physical exercise. As patients navigate the virtual world, have them perform tasks that engage both the body and the mind, such as remembering sequences, solving puzzles, or making decisions. This dual-task training can enhance overall functional abilities. 

Adapt VR Experiences to Group Dynamics  

When choosing VR applications, be mindful of group size, patient abilities, and therapy goals. Customize the virtual environments and tasks to ensure all participants are appropriately challenged and can actively engage with each other. 

Complement VR with Traditional Group Activities 

While VR can be an excellent supplement to group therapy, it should never wholly replace more conventional group activities. Combine VR experiences with traditional group activities to create a well-rounded rehab program. 

Elevating Rehabilitation Outcomes with VR-Enhanced Group Therapy

By combining evidence-based group therapy and VR, clinicians can foster better engagement, improved functional outcomes, and a heightened sense of community that supports the whole patient. 

This powerful combination can change how patients experience rehabilitation, which is why we are excited to share that we will soon launch a new, immersive VR technology that integrates seamlessly into group therapy – keep an eye out for more on that soon. In the meantime, as you continue to explore ways to optimize your skilled nursing rehabilitation program, consider the transformative potential of VR-enhanced group therapy. This dynamic combination can help you deliver exceptional care and position your facility for long-term success. 

  1. Kizmaz, E., Telli Atalay, O., Çetin, N., & Uğurlu, E. (2024). Virtual reality for COPD exacerbation: A randomized controlled trial. Respiratory Medicine, 230, 107696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2024.107696 ↩︎
  2. D’Cunha, N. M., Nguyen, D., Naumovski, N., McKune, A. J., Kellett, J., Georgousopoulou, E. N., Frost, J., & Isbel, S. (2019). A mini-review of virtual reality-based interventions to promote well-being for people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Gerontology, 65(4), 430-440. https://doi.org/10.1159/000500040  ↩︎

As skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) navigate an increasingly competitive landscape, they constantly seek innovative ways to improve patient outcomes, drive operational efficiencies, and differentiate their rehabilitation programs. We recently covered how VR could transform skilled rehab. Learn how you can combine VR with group therapy to boost patient engagement, enhance functional outcomes, and optimize care delivery.