Even if I hadn’t been raised by a nurse, and even if I didn’t write about the basic functions of their jobs on a daily basis for McKnight’s, I would probably still idolize them. That...
Taking the ‘blues’ out of ‘bluegrass’
By
Mary Gustafson
Aug 01, 2012
Bluegrass fans are well-versed in the music’s invigorating effects. Now, residents at a Silver Spring, MD-continuing care retirement community have ample opportunity to both play and listen.
iPods coming to an eldercare facility near you
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 26, 2012
When I first spoke with Music & Memory founder Dan Cohen last year, he had big plans for his new program that would put iPods with personalized playlists in Alzheimer’s and other dementia patients’...
A band for every nursing home
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 19, 2012
Nursing home residents — especially long-term residents — deserve to have the best entertainment that money can buy. Gary Gamponia, the director of the Los Angeles-based Pay It Forward jazz band, has...
Caregivers are going to need a sturdy surfboard
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 12, 2012
The good news is that the Affordable Care Act has much to offer people with mental illnesses. The bad news is that even with the law’s policies, the U.S. health system is still woefully unprepared...
Partnerships a must for SNFs
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 06, 2012
Healthcare reform efforts intended to reduce hospital readmissions are here to stay, experts said during a recent McKnight’s webcast.
Ask the care expert: Will our facilities face OSHA inspections?
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 06, 2012
Yes, you are correct with your “grapevine” info but inspections will be focused on more than just infections. On April 12, 2012, OSHA announced a new plan called the NEP (National Emphasis...
Study shows sickest people most dissatisfied with care
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 06, 2012
Nursing home residents, who often have at least one or more chronic condition, are among the sickest individuals treated by the American healthcare system. This population’s high utilization rates...
Study: Information, training can cut physical restraint use
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 06, 2012
Interventions such as group training sessions and the provision of supportive materials for staff, residents and relatives can help nursing homes reduce dependence on physical restraints, a new study finds.
U.S. adult vaccination rates lag: study
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 06, 2012
Despite strong federal and regulatory support for mandatory vaccinations among healthcare workers — including nursing home employees — the U.S. adult vaccination rate is on the low side, according...