For quite some time, I was the only male in my Alzheimer’s disease spousal support group. I quickly discovered that I could not resolve some problems for my wife, Clare, in the same way as some women...
Wishes for a Happy New Year — in their words and mine
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jan 07, 2014
Surfing the Internet around New Year’s Day, I saw many quotes, both famous and anonymous, spreading wishes and advice for the year ahead. I thought of how, with some minor adjustments, they could...
Residents and families who are satisfied with their mealtime experience are shown to be more satisfied with the organization overall, and therefore more likely to recommend their community to others. So...
Former nursing home aide writes powerful poems
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 07, 2014
Janice N. Harrington worked as a nursing home aide in college, and she drew on that experience to write “The Hands of Strangers: Poems from the Nursing Home.” This book-length collection of...
Want to succeed in long-term care this year? Don’t get too comfortable
By
John O'Connor
Jan 06, 2014
A new year is once again upon us. Among other things, that means you will probably be exposed to more than a few forecasts of the year-ahead-in-long-term-care variety.
CNA speak: Take time to learn the language
By
Lori Porter
Jan 03, 2014
In my 32 years of careful study regarding the divide between administration and certified nursing aides, I have learned many things. One of the most important discoveries is that there are two separate...
Stuff I’ve done for residents as a long-term care shrink
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Dec 31, 2013
Many of us in long-term care think of our jobs as a calling. We handle the day-to-day tasks and the business as usual but also get a lot of energy and joy out of taking our work one step further. Here...
The need for documentation in therapy
By
Tara Roberts
Dec 23, 2013
Skilled therapy documentation traditionally focuses on prior level of function, current level of function and ultimately desired discharge level of function. Outcomes are typically measured in short and...
Such a bargain: 2013 closeout has plenty of concerns
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 18, 2013
If you’re feeling the suction of the end-of-year vortex grabbing you, you’re certainly not alone. Whether it’s holiday preparations, work deadlines, challenging weather or a combination...
I saw the (nursing home) sign part II: Trouble in Goffstown
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 17, 2013
A small-town conflict over signage has pitted a New Hampshire nursing home against its neighbors — and might suggest some larger trends in long-term care.