Blogs, Guest Columns, Things I Think and Living Leadership
To group, or not to group
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Jul 25, 2011
By simply creating more confusion, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has made it more difficult for providers. In turn, providers are still expected to be ready to provide the best treatment...
Transitions of care: Quit blaming us for the bad ‘stuff’
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jul 19, 2011
OK, so we all know that the pressure ulcers always form in the ambulance on the way back to your facility from the hospital. It’s ALL YOUR FAULT. Bad, LTC, bad!
Top therapy reimbursement for everyone: here’s how
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Jul 18, 2011
If the Ultra High is the highest level of allowable treatment we may seek, it’s our professional obligation to clinically provide these levels of service to every patient.
Honor thy mother and father
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jul 11, 2011
My Mom’s biggest fear is that she will get Alzheimer’s disease and become a burden to me. If Mom would ever realize that fear, I would do everything to ensure that I honored her. I know what...
Preparing future long-term care leaders: Perspectives change after becoming residents
By
Jennifer Johs-Artisensi, Ph.D., MPH
Jun 30, 2011
The past 24 hours have been surreal for the new 21-year old nursing home resident. She has signed reams of forms. She has become overwhelmed with questions and left trying to understand and remember everything...
When to hope for a naked intruder
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jun 28, 2011
I’ve already written about it being a blessing and a curse to work in long-term care because we know so much about aging and what happens to our bodies as we age. And because I know what is happening,...
Will music improve MDS 3.0 scores?
By
Dan Cohen, MSW
Jun 22, 2011
Using iPods to reconnect long-term care residents with their favorite music is a simple intervention with great upside potential and no side effects. They’re an inexpensive tool that can have a positive...
Try it: ‘I don’t know’
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jun 21, 2011
Let’s face it: Often there isn’t any solid evidence as to why a resident is on a medication. Many times, they came from the previous location on a bucket load of medications and they stay on...
It’s not a bad habit: What’s your coffee IQ?
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jun 13, 2011
So it’s 4 a.m. and I’m still up finishing a project and jonesing for a cup of my favorite brand of coffee, NuJava. Yes, I am a coffee snob, because I like my coffee like I like my men …...
How to encourage your staff without spending a chunk of change
By
Paul White, Ph.D.
Jun 13, 2011
Like most businesses today, one of the biggest issues nursing homes and long-term care facilities have to deal with is the lack of financial resources. Virtually every organization has to “do more...