‘Notes from Underground,’ with apologies to Dostoevsky
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Dec 11, 2020
This is a throwback to college reading. It’s been a while for some of us, so bear with me for a minute. In 1864’s Notes from Underground, Fyodor Dostoevsky’s narrator believes life in Utopia...
Bridging the COVID gap: Using technology to connect dementia families
By
Whitney Hackman
Dec 07, 2020
When a loved one is living with dementia, meaningful connections can be hard to come by on a good day. Physical touch and direct eye contact are often key components of creating a successful interaction...
Fostering post-traumatic growth in long-term care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Dec 01, 2020
While crises often have short- and long-term negative effects, psychologists have found that there also can be opportunities for positive change.
Sr+ Redirection
By
Mark Pavlovich
Nov 30, 2020
Would you be surprised that individuals diagnosed with moderate to severe dementia require redirection during approximately 78% of staff interactions? Perhaps the only surprise is that the 78% is so low.
And now, how about some good news for a change?
By
Neville M. Bilimoria
Nov 23, 2020
Finally, some good news about nursing homes and COVID-19! That was my first thought when I read that nursing homes were to be receiving $333 million for improved outcomes due to successful COVID-19 practices...
From blame to education: Rethinking the nursing home survey process
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Nov 17, 2020
What if, instead of a system based on the notion that nursing homes should be punished for deliberately flouting the rules, the underlying belief was that facilities were trying to do their best?
Moving nursing homes forward: The future is now
By
Michael Wasserman
Oct 26, 2020
On March 11, I wrote about the COVID-19 storm rapidly approaching our nursing homes, and particularly the risk of nursing home staff transmitting the virus to residents. On March 15, I pointed out the...
The lens of fear: partnering with families
By
Martie Moore
Oct 21, 2020
We must use courageous leadership and be willing to ask an important question repeatedly to assure we are listening with both head and heart to those we serve.
Words Matter: Changing the way we talk about people living with dementia
By
Mimi DeVinney
Oct 19, 2020
Language is important. Whether we realize it or not, the way we speak about people reflects our beliefs about them and ultimately affects how we treat them. Whether we are aiming for a community-wide...
Do you speak 2020?
By
Julie Thorson
Oct 14, 2020
In the course of just seven months, words and phrases have taken on a life of their own. They aren’t just words: They are topics for debate, fuel for bitter arguments, tools for discussion and will evoke...