Adam Guetzow Discusses a Rise in Involuntary Nursing Home Discharges in McKnights Long Term Care News

Adam Guetzow recently spoke to McKnights Long Term Care News about a reported increase in involuntary nursing home discharges amid mounting fiscal and liability pressures. In an article published earlier this week, the AARP suggested nursing homes are eager to move out needy residents, and urged family caregivers to work with a local long-term care ombudsman to appeal and spot “illegal violations.”

Adam stated that most nursing homes are simply acting within their rights and almost always in accordance with specific circumstances allowed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. He said facilities mostly use an involuntary discharge as a final resolution in cases where they need to protect residents — in the case of safety concerns — or ensure that patients unwilling to pay for their care don’t push facilities into insolvency.

Best Practices for Nursing Home Providers

Adam provided the following tips for nursing home providers:

• Ensure all remedies available at the facility have been exhausted.
• Comply with state and federal guidelines regarding notice of an involuntary discharge and appeals by a resident.
• For cases involving patients with behavioral concerns, engage in a “cooperative discussion” with the public health department so it’s aware of the termination of residency and can support a transition.

• McKnights Long Term Care News: “As pressures mount, so do involuntary nursing home discharges. Here’s how providers should approach them” (Nov. 20, 2025)