“Trudy’s here!” exclaimed the resident I’d been speaking with, excusing herself for a moment to exchange a few dollars for a bottle of lotion. “She buys me the things I can’t...
Residents need quicker access to helpful medicines and devices
By
John O'Connor
May 27, 2019
There is much to admire about the march of clinical innovation. Yet it remains hampered by one thing: ridiculous delay. By some estimates, 17 years typically elapse between the time of medical discovery...
Making DNRs a part of SNFs
By
Elizabeth Newman
Oct 30, 2012
For all the talk about reducing rehospitalizations, there seems to be a big element missing, according to the New York Times: that of talking.
An angel among us
By
John O'Connor
May 18, 2012
To suddenly realize you are in the presence of greatness is a rare and heady experience. About a thousand of us shared that feeling Wednesday at the Assisted Living Federation of America conference, when...
Opening the door for ombudsmen
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 09, 2017
I can imagine from an administrator’s point of view that an unexpected interruption from an ombudsman complaining about problems is not exactly a welcome visit, but perhaps there’s a way to...
The final salute
By
William R. Losefsky
Sep 07, 2010
The New Hampshire State Veterans Home honors its deceased residents in military fashion.
The reopening dilemma
By
Liza Berger
May 20, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Monday issued new guidance on when nursing homes should be open to visitors. Among the criteria: testing of residents and staff to make sure COVID-19 is...
Handling your PR crisis
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jan 31, 2012
A few months ago, I called up a nursing facility that was embroiled in a legal snafu. I’m not sure I was able to utter an audible response to its marketing representative since I was busy hitting...
How to handle residents that bully staff
By
Elizabeth Newman
Aug 11, 2016
I’ve written before about “mean girls” and their desire to exert control in continuing care retirement communities. But until reading an excellent new book, it didn’t occur to me...
About that alarming rise in nursing home closings …
By
John O'Connor
Mar 02, 2020
If you own equities or are involved in the skilled care sector, last week provided more than its share of bad news.