My family is full of therapists, and most of us work in skilled nursing. My sister, an experienced speech language pathologist, called to commiserate about one of her patients who had difficulty swallowing. ...
When the rules change, not everyone wins: Counting IC deficiencies in Five-Star
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 05, 2021
Do you remember how, as you were growing up, there was always another kid who would change the rules mid-game to ensure that he won? I do, and it would always make my blood boil. The Centers for Medicare...
Sacred moments in the therapy gym
By
Gary Tetz
Jun 14, 2018
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 —...
GAO gets it right with need for more IT
By
Cynthia Morton
May 10, 2017
It’s good to have a “big dog” recognize that the long-term and post-acute care sectors should be given more help with information technology and exchange.
5 ways to increase occupancy with LGBT and ally residents
By
Hilary Meyer
Nov 07, 2016
Plus, we know that LGBT older adults are less likely to access care, and when they do, they feel they have to go back into the closet in order to minimize the risk of being mistreated.
The very anxious resident: A team approach
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 15, 2014
I’ve developed a set of suggestions for working with “challenging,” anxious residents, who can disrupt everyone around them. If caregivers don’t have sound strategies like these,...
On food and feasts at your facility
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Nov 20, 2018
I spend a lot of time thinking about food every day, but with Thanksgiving feasts on our minds this week it’s a particularly good occasion to consider what and how we serve meals to residents and staff.
ElderTech: Ideas from a tech exhibit
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jul 18, 2017
I was at the nursing station the other day when some unusual cracking noises caused me to look up from my documentation. A very old, petite lady was sitting in her wheelchair popping bubble wrap. She wore...
Understanding life care communities vs. CCRCs
By
Troy Cannaday
Mar 10, 2015
I have noticed the way many people interchange “life care communities” with “Continuing Care Retirement Communities.” However, these are two different concepts with distinguishing...
9 things NOT to expect in a nursing home
By
Esther Heerema, MSW
Dec 17, 2014
Family members need to know what to expect when their loved one enters a nursing home: Falls may happen, medications may change, and a private room may not be an option.