Blogs, Guest Columns, Things I Think and Living Leadership
Why seniors need to be in the loop about technology
By
Melissa Powell
Mar 13, 2020
In October 2019, a 28-year-old provided yet another reminder of technology’s potential implications for those age 65 and over — or, to be more accurate, his Apple watch did. As detailed by a New Jersey...
Televisit: Tips for communicating with loved ones from afar
By
Renee Kinder
Mar 12, 2020
I have seen recommendations that families have been advised to communicate via phone, FaceTime, Skype, and other various modes of communication. But are residents prepared to do this?
A mantra in wake of coronavirus: Stay home and save a life
By
Michael Wasserman
Mar 11, 2020
The year was 1985. I was an intern in the cardiac intensive care unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. A man who was the well-known voice for several animated television characters was laying on a gurney....
Addressing residents’ coronavirus fears
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 10, 2020
Despite their general calm and resilience, it’s perfectly reasonable for residents to have questions and concerns about the coronavirus and its potential spread.
Coronavirus sheds light on nursing home underfunding
By
Brendan Williams
Mar 09, 2020
Why should it take the COVID-19 outbreak for policymakers to pay attention to nursing homes? Last year in the state of Washington, when Medicaid underfunding forced the closure of Keiro Northwest — a...
The five big trends affecting all skilled nursing facilities
By
Patrick McCormick
Mar 06, 2020
Skilled nursing facilities across the United States continue to face daunting challenges. The average SNF is only able to break even, reflecting increased competition, upward wage pressure in a tight labor...
Face touching for dummies
By
Gary Tetz
Mar 05, 2020
Can you remember a public health directive than “don’t touch your face” that’s ever been more simple, clear and science-based, yet more difficult to execute? I can’t.
Simple, yet tough, conversations
By
Julie Thorson
Mar 04, 2020
There is a conversation lingering for us all right now. We have told ourselves elaborate stories to avoid the conversation all together. This is fascinating to me. In my experience, the most challenging...
Oh, those hoarders
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Mar 03, 2020
Couldn’t they have warned us? No, I am not talking about the COVID-19 virus. I’m talking about those residents who hoard.
Quality: What are we measuring?
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Mar 02, 2020
After spending three days in training as an examiner for a prestigious healthcare quality award, I came away with a better understanding and appreciation of how quality is measured and how it affects our...