Blogs, Guest Columns, Things I Think and Living Leadership
What to do when a POA agent doesn’t pay
By
William W. Sleeth III
Jan 11, 2017
Long-term care facilities traditionally take steps to ensure that residents have a financial and a healthcare power of attorney in place upon admittance. But what happens when an agent named under a POA...
Let them eat cake!
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jan 10, 2017
As our long-stay residents age in place, often we see them get to a point where we begin to notice that they are reducing their intake. Often, they are prescribed less-than-desirable-tasting supplements....
A two-pronged approach to protecting SNF residents from influenza
By
William Schaffner, M.D.
Jan 09, 2017
Good news: More skilled nursing facility staff are getting their annual influenza vaccine than ever before. Last season, nearly 70% were vaccinated, up from 64% a year earlier. Bad news: SNF staff still...
Behavioral and psychiatric challenges in SNFS
By
Mitchell Gelber, Ed.D, PC
Jan 06, 2017
“Bonnie” was admitted to the skilled nursing facility following surgery for a right hip fracture. Prior to her fall, she said she was living by herself, fully independent. Although she claimed...
Trust before truth
By
Julie Thorson
Jan 05, 2017
The people you trust the most, hopefully, are the ones that can lay the heaviest of truths on you. In other words, they can point out your weaknesses in a way you will respond to. Sure, it might hurt,...
Understanding ‘Unbefriended’
By
Caroline A. Vitale, M.D.
Jan 04, 2017
We’re wrapping up a time of year when many of us are heartened by seeing family and friends for the holidays. But what if residents don’t have anyone?
Successful New Year’s resolutions, LTC-style
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jan 03, 2017
Rather than resolve to do more than I can possibly accomplish, I prefer to view the beginning of the year as a time to examine the course I’ve been on and to make corrections as needed.
Want to prevent lawsuits? Talk to us!
By
Kitty Foth-Regner
Jan 02, 2017
I’ve heard a lot of talk lately about suing nursing homes – not only from family members distraught over an elderly loved one’s injury or death in an SNF, but also from the growing chorus...
Don’t punish SNFs for training
By
Jeff Marcus, RN
Dec 30, 2016
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have made information technology and staff competency a priority for the past five years.
Give all your cares to Bob
By
Gary Tetz
Dec 29, 2016
So here we are at the end of 2016. It’s been kind of a brutal year — globally, nationally, personally, even as a long-term care profession. Lots of loss, much uncertainty and fear, many reasons...