Occupational therapy isn’t immune from the workforce challenges nursing homes are confronting. Amid high pressure to perform efficiently, are there ways to improve conditions for OT staff and other caregiving staff? Here, therapy experts share their insights.

1. Colleagues on nursing home floors should share best practices that save time and improve care.

“Occupational therapists are essential to rehabilitation programs, as they help patients regain strength, take on activities of daily living, and improve function for work, social life, and community living,” Stoffer adds. “Often this requires staff collaboration, and they are excellent at bringing in multiple disciplines to achieve a goal.”

Through its participation with AARP’s AgeTech Collaborative, HealthPro Heritage helps bring early access to products and services as part of its shared mission to improve residents’ lives, observes Sherri Schultz, senior vice president, long term care, HealthPRO Heritage.

Sharing resources on both sides “will make all departments more efficient, and hopefully

reduce feelings of being overwhelmed,” says Kristin Hoffman, senior customer implementation consultant for LifeLoop.

2. Improve relationships with staff to soothe frayed nerves.

“The role of therapists in nursing homes is undeniably crucial, especially given the challenges posed by workforce shortages,” says Shelley Horst, vice president of Strategic Partnerships at Reliant Rehabilitation, who adds that such efforts can significantly enhance the role of therapists, thereby improving outcomes and fostering better relationships between staff and residents.

Teamwork is essential.

“We need to continue to work interdepartmentally to highlight what the patient or resident wants to do, or what the person needs to improve mood, motivation, connection — looking at the whole person,” explains Troy Mesmer, PTA and senior customer implementation consultant for LifeLoop.

“My advice to therapists would be to fully inject yourself into the culture of the community,” Hoffman adds. “Trying to form solid relationships is key. Form a therapy group that involves another community team member, such as LED, dietary or social work.”

3. Revisit professional connections and collaboration with staff nurses.

Regular team-building exercises foster a collaborative environment, adds Horst. 

“Our partnerships with nursing home caregivers are centered around the shared goals of achieving quality outcomes and providing holistic care for residents. Enhanced communication between therapists and nursing staff ensures better continuity of care for patients, thereby supporting our therapists in achieving goals for residents,” she says.

Clear communication about each department’s roles and responsibilities could go a long way in helping nurses and therapists better understand each other, adds Chloe Loveless, customer success manager at LifeLoop.

So can introducing new therapists to the SNF setting, Schultz adds.

“Seeing students in the facility often results in a sense of excitement and optimism among nursing home staff and residents,” she says.

4. Establish greater trust between therapists and nursing home caregivers.

To some, this entails applying more resources to both sides.

“Another approach to addressing burnout, building trust among staff and easing tensions is to invest more in employees,” says Loveless. “Creating a workplace where camaraderie thrives, where employees feel genuinely valued and supported, and where their well-being is prioritized through improved mental health/medical benefits and PTO plans, is essential for retaining staff and preventing turnover.”

5. Inject more levity to ease the fatigue and tension. It’s a proven way to lower the temperature.

Stoffer suggests “activities that incorporate fun and creativity by involving multiple patients and staff members, a year-round ‘secret Santa’ that fosters collaboration among different professionals like nursing and therapy; and collaborative projects that create opportunities for cross-functional fun, such as a coloring wall or a leaderboard.” 

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Ignoring signs of rising tension. Work interdepartmentally to solve issues.
  • Working in silos. Instead, share best practices across disciplines. Everyone wins.
  • Devaluing the importance of trust. In this case, codependence is not overrated.

From the october 2024 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News