If there is one universal zero-tolerance policy at most facilities, it is this: Don’t fail. Executives and others who don’t meet prescribed goals tend to be quickly shown the door. It’s...
Food for thought: Maybe actual candy bars would be a better dining option
By
John O'Connor
Jun 02, 2014
It was while my mother was struggling with small-cell lung cancer and trying to stay above the 100-pound mark (unsuccessfully), that she first encountered dietary supplements. It’s fair to say they...
The gray area of liability
By
Eugene Solomon
May 15, 2013
Assisted living companion services and the relationship between the community and the company is not always articulated and formalized. Policies and procedures, especially related to emergency response,...
When LTC leaders delegate accountability
By
John O'Connor
Nov 19, 2012
What happens when delegation without accountability takes place? We saw a good example last week, when the Office of Inspector General released a damning report about excessive Medicare charges from nursing...
‘Doc fix’ might hurt a little
By
John O'Connor
Feb 24, 2012
President Obama has signed legislation that delays a pay cut for doctors treating Medicare patients. That comes as good news for physicians, but not so much for nursing facilities.
Positive attitudes in aging lead to resilience
By
Elizabeth Newman
Aug 05, 2016
Having a positive attitude in aging makes seniors more resilient under stress, according to new research. This means more than you probably think.
Illustrating how to double your flu vaccination rate
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 26, 2014
Take whichever side of the argument you want, but you can’t disagree that New York state’s new flu-vaccine mandate has had a profound effect. By declaring health workers have to wear a facemask...
For long-term care operators, every day is Labor Day
By
John O'Connor
Sep 04, 2018
Hope you had a nice Labor Day. For most of the country, it comes around once a year. But if you are leading a long-term care organization, it’s pretty much an everyday event.
Don’t be worried about Medicaid funding cuts — be very afraid
By
John O'Connor
Mar 13, 2017
The long-term care industry’s worst fears about what a Trump healthcare plan might contain have not just been met after last week’s unveiling, they have been far exceeded.
Snobbery that skilled care operators can ill afford
By
John O'Connor
Mar 06, 2017
Quite a few skilled care operators tend to look at assisted living as being not quite equal. Many on the skilled side tend to see themselves as being a bit, ahem, more qualified.