I haven’t perched in a tree waiting for Bigfoot, or spent a morning with binoculars in a rowboat on Loch Ness. But I recently had a ringside seat for one of those elusive rehab therapy triumphs —...
Addition by subtraction: Do the math of Alzheimer’s
By
Stuart Greenbaum
Mar 28, 2016
Addition by subtraction is a curious phenomenon. It occurs in politics — for a timely example — when a reduced field of candidates helps voters and media focus more attention on those who remain. Alzheimer’s...
FDA updates bed rail entrapment guidelines
Jan 08, 2014
Last month, the FDA posted some new materials on bed rails and related products. This reiterated what should by now be the well-known hazards of entrapment and death when the bed user gets entangled within...
The psychology of falls in long-term care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 07, 2014
According to the American Geriatrics Society, one in three adults over the age of 65 falls each year. Falls represent the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults. You might be surprised...
Summer reading: The language of long-term care
By
Mary Helen McSweeney-Feld
Jul 30, 2014
A recent NPR survey of older adults had a not-too-surprising finding: No one likes being referred to as “elderly” or as a “senior.”
Passing the stress test
By
Gary Tetz
Mar 13, 2014
First came the razor, deforesting small circles on my expansive torso. Then came the electrodes, streaming off my chest like ribbons from a departing ocean liner. I wasn’t sure if I was being prepped...
Transcen-dental meditation
By
Gary Tetz
Nov 21, 2013
Some people do their best thinking during meditation or yoga. For others it’s the shower, or while they’re swimming from Cuba to Florida. Personally, some of my deepest, most insightful thoughts...
The G-codes are here for payment claims — ready or not
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
May 23, 2013
Effective July 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will begin rejecting claims received for Medicare Part B patients that do not include the new requirement of G-coding. That really means providers...
Understanding Maryland’s SNF landscape
By
Joseph DeMattos Jr.
Mar 02, 2018
All skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers are not identical, and when they are prepared or required to admit and retain challenging residents they need the support and consideration of residents,...
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...