Admissions Optimization
Central team development, clinical review processes, referral workflows, EMR access strategies, and response time reduction.
Who We Are
Clinical Expertise Meets Business Strategy
Sheehy Care Advisors is led by Marlene (Machera) Sheehy, RN — a healthcare executive who has spent over two decades working at the intersection of clinical care, operations, and business strategy in post-acute settings. Marlene has held VP-level roles overseeing admissions, census development, and hospital relations across skilled nursing, home health, and senior living organizations. Her work bridges two worlds: delivering measurable operational results for providers, while offering compassionate, informed guidance to families navigating one of the most difficult transitions of their lives.
20+
Years of Healthcare Leadership
RN
Registered Nurse & Clinical Expert
VP
Executive-Level Experience
AI
Innovation-Forward Strategy
"I've sat on both sides of the table — as a clinician, as an executive, and as a family member. That perspective is what makes the difference."
— Marlene Sheehy, RN, FounderThe Industry Challenge
Where Post-Acute Care Breaks Down
The post-acute care sector is under more pressure than ever. These are the friction points Marlene has spent her career solving — for organizations and for the families caught in the middle.
Fragmented Discharge Planning
Hospital case managers are under pressure to discharge quickly, often without enough time to match patients to the right level of post-acute care — leaving families scrambling and providers receiving patients they aren't fully prepared for.
Census Volatility & Referral Gaps
Skilled nursing facilities routinely lose referrals to competitors not because of quality, but because of weak hospital relationships, slow intake processes, and inconsistent follow-through with case management teams.
Regulatory & Reimbursement Complexity
PDPM, value-based purchasing, and evolving CMS guidelines create a moving target for operators. Many organizations lack the internal expertise to optimize clinical documentation and reimbursement capture simultaneously.
Workforce & Leadership Instability
High turnover in DON, Administrator, and admissions roles disrupts continuity of care and erodes the hospital relationships that drive census — a cycle that's difficult to break without experienced outside perspective.
What We Deliver
Comprehensive Healthcare Consulting Services
From admissions optimization to hospital partnership strategy, we deliver hands-on consulting for skilled nursing and senior care organizations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Census & Market Growth
Market positioning, occupancy growth planning, competitive analysis, and strategies to become the preferred provider in your territory.
Hospital Partnerships
Identify key stakeholders, establish preferred provider relationships, align with case management, and explore joint ventures.
Payer Mix Optimization
Strategic positioning to attract higher-reimbursement patients and maximize revenue across your payer portfolio.
Team Training & Development
Hands-on coaching for admissions, marketing, and leadership teams to build high-performing, growth-oriented cultures.
Interim Leadership
Executive-level interim leadership to stabilize operations, drive census, and guide your team through transformation.
Proven Impact
Results That Speak for Themselves
Every engagement is shaped by decades of real-world experience — across strategy, operations, hospital relations, and compassionate family guidance.
Provider Outreach & Market Presence
Greater reach for post-acute provider services
Sheehy Care Advisors helps skilled nursing and post-acute organizations expand their visibility in the markets that matter — building brand recognition with hospital discharge teams, case managers, and community referral sources who drive consistent census.
Strategy & Financial Performance
Clearly defined strategies that increase ROI
From admissions workflow redesign to PDPM documentation optimization, every engagement is built around measurable financial outcomes. Clients gain actionable roadmaps — not generic recommendations — that translate directly into improved revenue and operational efficiency.
Hospital & Referral Relationships
Stronger hospital referral relationships
Sustainable census growth depends on trust with hospital partners. Marlene's executive-level experience on both sides of the referral relationship means she knows how to build, repair, and deepen the connections that keep referrals flowing — even in competitive markets.
Family Guidance & Care Navigation
Expert knowledge guiding families to much-needed services
Families navigating post-acute care transitions often don't know what they don't know. Marlene bridges that gap — helping families understand their options, advocate for their loved ones, and access the right level of care at the right time, with confidence.
Service Packages
Flexible Engagements to Fit Your Needs
Every organization is different. Choose the engagement level that matches your goals — or let's design something custom.
Flexible engagement structures available · Let's discuss your needs →
For Families
Navigating Care Shouldn't Feel Overwhelming
The post-acute care system was not designed with families in mind. Discharge timelines are driven by insurance, not readiness. Facility options are presented without context. And the people who need the most guidance are often given the least.
Marlene has helped families navigate every one of these situations — from rushed hospital discharges to long-term placement decisions to coverage disputes. She brings clinical knowledge, industry relationships, and genuine compassion to every family she works with.
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Placement Guidance
Finding the right rehab, SNF, or long-term care facility for your loved one — matched to their clinical needs, location, and insurance coverage.
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Insurance Navigation
Decoding Medicare, Medicaid, and supplemental coverage so you know exactly what's covered, what isn't, and what to expect at each stage of care.
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Advocacy & Support
A knowledgeable advocate who speaks the language of healthcare — asking the right questions, pushing back when needed, and keeping your family informed.
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Personalized Guidance
One-on-one support tailored to your family's unique situation — whether it's a sudden hospitalization, a planned transition, or a long-term care decision.
Free 15-Min Consultation
Start with a free conversation
No pressure, no commitment. Just clarity about your options and a compassionate expert on your side.
Schedule Free Consult"Families are often handed a list of facilities and told to choose — with no context, no clinical insight, and no one explaining what any of it means. That's the gap I fill."
— Marlene Sheehy, RNReal situations where Marlene has helped
Rushed hospital discharge
A family member is told their loved one is being discharged in 24 hours — with no clear plan, no facility identified, and no one explaining what Medicare will actually cover. Marlene steps in to assess options, coordinate with the care team, and ensure the transition is safe and informed.
Wrong facility, wrong fit
A patient is placed in a skilled nursing facility that isn't equipped for their clinical complexity — leading to readmission, family frustration, and lost trust. Marlene helps families identify facilities with the right staffing ratios, specialty capabilities, and track record before placement.
Navigating the "coverage cliff"
Medicare coverage ends and families are blindsided by the cost of continued care. Marlene helps families understand the transition from Medicare to Medicaid, private pay options, and how to plan ahead so there are no surprises.
No one to call
Families often find themselves caught between the hospital, the facility, and the insurance company — with no single person accountable for the full picture. Marlene serves as that central point of contact, cutting through the confusion and advocating for what's best for the patient.
Partners & Memberships
Trusted Partners & Community Connections
We collaborate with best-in-class technology partners and are proud members of leading healthcare and business associations serving the communities we work in.
Merrimack Valley
Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce
Member of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce — connecting local businesses and healthcare organizations across the greater Merrimack Valley region.
Visit merrimackvalleychamber.comMassachusetts Senior
Care Association
Care Association
Member of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association — the leading voice for skilled nursing and post-acute care providers across the Commonwealth.
Visit maseniorcare.orgGet In Touch
Let's Build Your Growth Strategy
Ready to transform admissions, strengthen hospital partnerships, and grow your organization? Let's talk.