Democracy Dies in Darkness

Seniors should be walking. These regulations discourage it.

Nursing facilities receive high marks for preventing falls even as patient mobility declines.

February 17, 2026

5 min

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A woman walks out of an assisted living community in Boca Raton, Florida. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

By Neha Sabharwal

Neha Sabharwal is a physical therapist and rehabilitation director.

As a physical therapist and rehabilitation director who oversees Medicare-funded nursing home care for patients recovering from serious illness or injury, I know what happens when an older adult enters a nursing home after a stroke or a hip fracture. The family expects recovery. The facility promises rehabilitation. Medicare pays for skilled care.

What readers are saying

The conversation explores the impact of Medicare's focus on safety metrics, such as fall prevention, on the recovery of seniors in nursing homes. Many participants express concern that this focus leads to excessive caution, resulting in reduced mobility and overall decline in... Show more

This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.

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