To learn more about living, talk to a person who’s dying
By
John O'Connor
Jun 24, 2013
It’s probably safe to say Maggie Callanan knows a thing or two about dying. A hospice nurse for nearly three decades, she has helped more than 2,000 terminally ill people prepare for the inevitable.
Research grants become available for LTC leadership practices
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jun 21, 2013
There are arguably many areas of long-term care that need more research, but one that is most intriguing is the need for better leadership practices for administrators. Luckily, the Harvey Picker Center...
A book for the long-term caregiver intent on improving
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 19, 2013
Frosini Rubertino is not your typical registered nurse. She has taken on the task of teaching, coaching and generally improving the care that long-term care staff members deliver. She does it earnestly...
Nursing home theme of the summer: medication
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 18, 2013
The first day of summer is not quite upon us, but it seems the season’s blockbuster movie and hit song may already have been decided. And when it comes to long-term news, I’m ready to declare...
Are you taking care of residents or conditions?
By
John O'Connor
Jun 17, 2013
Mr. Fogel quietly passed away last week at a Chicago-area nursing home. Most of the staff didn’t know he was in the building. Among the few who did, he was a resident with heart problems. What a...
What about Social Security for the rest of us?
By
John O'Connor
Jun 14, 2013
It’s an established fact that Social Security will be kaput by the time we need it, right? Things may not be as bad as many of us have led ourselves to believe.
Practice makes perfect for state surveyor visits
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jun 13, 2013
A visit from state surveyors should be seen as a chance to “put on a show,” a long-term care expert says.
CHUG: Disaster ‘insurance’ among friends
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 12, 2013
With all the talk of ACOs, bundled payments and creating better relationships, a different kind of provider collaborative recently caught my eye. I can’t get it out of my mind.
When it comes to free Medicaid dollars, some governors in a state of denial
By
John O'Connor
Jun 10, 2013
Under a newly expanded Medicaid program option, states stand to reap billions of dollars in what amounts to free money. Much of this could go toward better resident care. But some governors can’t...
Uh-oh, Congress is about to ‘fix’ your hiring problems
By
John O'Connor
Jun 07, 2013
Many providers are hoping immigration reform can help ease the field’s chronic understaffing challenges. But like many problems the government sets out to solve, this one is likely to cause a few...