Look at this picture. What is your immediate first thought? Do you see the dandelion puffs waiting to be blown into the wind, and hopefully not onto your lawn? Do you see a tree that has fallen,...
Leading from the heart
By
John P. Rauls
Jun 23, 2014
As a Methodist minister in the 1950s, my grandfather, along with my grandmother Rauls, set out on a mission to help retirees find housing plus healthcare under one roof. During that time period right in...
Advice from a daughter to caregivers
By
Marilyn Gerkin
Sep 27, 2017
Some tips from a daughter’s perspective.
Minimizing the impact of touch starvation in long-term care residents
By
Jennifer Birdsall
Sep 09, 2020
What is touch starvation? Also known as “touch deprivation,” “skin hunger” or “hug deprivation,” touch starvation is what occurs when a person’s exposure to physical contact has been significantly...
Understanding the Braden Scale with pressure ulcer management
By
Ilene Warner-Maron, Ph.D, RN-BC, CWCN, NHA
Aug 28, 2017
Multiple studies have demonstrated the validity and reliability of the Braden Scale. However the accuracy of the risk assessment is dependent upon an understanding of the multiple risk factors contributing...
Antibiotics in LTC: Changing from ‘Just in case’ to ‘Only when needed’
By
Philip D. Sloane, M.D., MPH and Sheryl Zimmerman, Ph.D.
Mar 01, 2017
Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, the most common cause of death was infection. There was no good treatment for pneumonia, complications of urine or ear infections were common, and many people died...
How to decrease falls
By
Haley Huckabee
Oct 31, 2018
This unique process helps to ensure that the care we are delivering is having a positive effect on the outcomes and quality of life for our residents.
5 tips for avoiding deficiencies
By
Susan LaGrange
Nov 05, 2014
Here are five quick tips to operationalize for the top five most frequently cited deficiencies nationwide. Facilities could choose one per day and revisit each week to focus on audits, discussion, education...
Foot health and amputation prevention for the long-term care resident
By
Dr. Mark Hinkes
Mar 24, 2009
Long-term care residents with diabetes are at high-risk for foot infections, ulcers and even amputations. Practicing preventive measures and good foot care are critical to avoid these problems.
Curse of the blue-blockers
By
Gary Tetz
Dec 16, 2021
I’ve suffered with poor vision for most of my adult life. Sometimes at intersections, I have to actually get out of the car and feel the letter ridges on a road sign to confirm my location. So when I...