So many times, we get questions about how to “skill” a resident. Is she skilled if she’s getting IVs? Is he skilled because he’s getting wound care? What about the resident whose...
Life or death
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Jun 13, 2018
As healthcare workers, especially as healthcare workers in long-term care, we don’t have jobs that most people can identify with.
Depression in dementia: How do you know?
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Dec 22, 2017
Most of us have used or at least aware of the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire) scale for depression. Through a series of questions that are directly related to the DSM-IV criteria, a patient or caregiver...
Trickle-down negativity
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Oct 25, 2017
I’ve seen it so often it becomes routine: Your coworkers complain about everything, they keep complaining, you start complaining just to join in, and soon you’re involved in Complain-Fest 2017.
Managing RCS-1
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Sep 18, 2017
The new Resident Classification System, which may be implemented Oct 1, 2018, is changing the game. I say “may be implemented” because there’s reason to believe that it may be delayed...
Who are you wearing: A director responds
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Sep 16, 2016
Patients and families, whether new to long-term care or veterans, get a first impression by our manner, our speech, and our clothes. Make the first impression the best one.
Learning from design regrets
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Aug 12, 2016
Last week, McKnight’s published a guest editorial by Michael Hass, “Five design decisions you’ll later regret.”
Wound care: What’s new on an old problem?
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Jun 10, 2016
What if your patient shows some red areas on her bottom? Typically, you’d try another cushion, another chair, another mattress and then play the wait-and-see game.
HIPAA and eHealth: Avoiding problems
By
Jean Wendland Porter
May 09, 2016
As long as the means of getting the information are protected, encrypted, and encoded, sharing information to provide care has never been easier and quicker. However, it’s our responsibility and...
Stop calling residents ‘cute’
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Oct 26, 2015
Working in long-term care for over 35 years, I’ve heard various residents referred to as “cute” nearly every day. “Cute” competes with “spry” and “adorable.”