When iPods, the popular portable music players, started to become ubiquitous in about 2006, licensed social worker Dan Cohen Googled “iPods and nursing homes.” He found no connection between...
Resident handling programs can minimize worker injuries
By
Mary Gustafson
Sep 01, 2011
The growing disparity between the average American’s weight and safe lifting requirements presents a challenge for long-term care workers who perform heavy lifting. As a result, facilities with safe...
True neighborhood model
By
Mary Gustafson
Sep 01, 2012
A new Touchstone community in Texas offers state-of-the-art care that focuses on dignity, choice to bring residents together
A failure to communicate
By
Mary Gustafson
Jun 21, 2012
Basic communication is often overlooked for nursing home managers. Promoting leadership among team members and empowering staff is effective in building teamwork.
The gift of gallows humor
By
Mary Gustafson
Oct 11, 2012
Comedienne Tig Notaro — from what I’ve been able to glean in my relatively brief history as a fan of her comedy — does not appear to have any connection with the long-term care industry. But...
New hope in C. diff battle
By
Mary Gustafson
Oct 01, 2011
An experimental compound has been shown to effectively fight Clostridium difficile in lab mice.
We all have stories
By
Mary Gustafson
Jan 05, 2012
I recently stumbled on one of the most captivating obituaries I’ve ever read. It chronicled the life of a woman named Lana Peters, who died in a Wisconsin nursing home. The reason her death made...
Inside the frequent flier club
By
Mary Gustafson
May 10, 2012
If you’ve ever caught in a pool of self-pity but you’re not sure how to climb out, try sitting in the waiting room of a jam-packed pain clinic some time. I promise, your problems will pale...
Design Decisions: A household into a home
By
Mary Gustafson
Apr 02, 2012
Unexpected twists took Maryland CCRC leaders in a direction they didn’t plan on — and it has paid off in increased resident satisfaction.
Study: ‘Talking it out’ isn’t for everyone
By
Mary Gustafson
Mar 01, 2012
Anxiety and depression are rampant among elderly nursing home residents, but a new study shows that one common treatment may not be as helpful as once thought in this particular population.