Are you satisfied with your life? I’m not, and I barely know you. So in this festive Christmas/holiday month, it seems like the perfect time to figure out how to make your existence more mirth-filled...
Prodigies in reverse
By
Gary Tetz
Dec 01, 2013
I experienced many crushing disappointments growing up. A trespassing fairy with a tooth fetish didn’t leave a dime under my pillow? Ernie and Bert aren’t brothers? Affordable healthcare isn’t...
Transcen-dental meditation
By
Gary Tetz
Nov 21, 2013
Some people do their best thinking during meditation or yoga. For others it’s the shower, or while they’re swimming from Cuba to Florida. Personally, some of my deepest, most insightful thoughts...
Four legs good, conclude therapy researchers
By
Gary Tetz
Nov 05, 2013
Finding out therapy dogs slow down dementia symptoms is like discovering water quenches thirst, or shoes reduce firewalker foot pain. Of course they do. As my dogs like to say, “Grrrrr,” followed...
Playing it forward
By
Gary Tetz
Nov 01, 2013
It wasn’t expected. He just up and died. One day he was happily walking the Earth with the rest of us, the next he was gone. I barely knew him and don’t know the back-story, just that it happened...
Dr. Ben Carson nicks a long-term care nerve
By
Gary Tetz
Oct 24, 2013
At the end of a long day doing skillful and important things for elderly residents, do you ever pause and mutter to yourself, “He won’t get any better. She won’t live much longer. What...
Meds in a cupcake
By
Gary Tetz
Oct 01, 2013
If you’re weary of pursuing constant improvement and innovation in long-term care, take inspiration from Burger King.
Fumbling in the dark — my Virtual Dementia Tour
By
Gary Tetz
Oct 09, 2013
It seemed like a low-tech gimmick, but I signed up anyway to take the Virtual Dementia Tour. I had seen it promoted at the opening session of the American Health Care Association convention this week in...
Expo yourself
By
Gary Tetz
Sep 26, 2013
Each year about this time, I get that special tingle, followed by an irresistible impulse. Soon I’m dancing madly around the house, racing from room to room, jumping and gyrating on pieces of furniture...
Hand wringing about hand washing
By
Gary Tetz
Sep 12, 2013
Now that we know many nursing homes don’t meet hand-washing guidelines, let the hand-wringing begin. Hopefully with a generous squirt of anti-microbial sanitizer in the palm first.