The birds are singing, everything is green, people are planning vacations and you are shaking in your boots. Because you know, unlike the rest of the world, that with your job, you’re gonna have...
Implementing an employee recognition program: Tips for success
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 29, 2014
I recently focused on the benefits of recognition and key points in choosing a recognition program. Now I’d like to address how to implement your chosen employee recognition program so that it becomes...
Alzheimer’s caregiving: The new normal
By
Allan S. Vann, Ed.D
May 19, 2014
I dealt first with my wife’s Alzheimer’s as a 24/7 caregiver at home, and now as a part-time caregiver and full-time advocate since her placement in the dementia wing of an assisted living...
Creating buy-in for Triple Aim
By
Kristy Wikum
May 12, 2014
Before you can implement policies to help achieve the triple aim, you’re going to need the all-important buy-in from staff. First, let’s look at the triple aim itself and how it benefits consumers.
Addressing quality of death
By
Linda Elizaitis
May 05, 2014
What do you do when a resident crosses the threshold and your organization needs to address quality of death? We all know that there is a great emphasis, appropriately so, on a resident’s quality...
Reducing the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning
By
Betty Norman
Apr 28, 2014
More than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning every year, and fatalities are highest among older adults. Though CO is a threat to every residential facility, long-term care facilities should...
Transforming communities with the household model of care
By
Stephen Proctor
Apr 25, 2014
We can agree on one thing: the traditional model of nursing homes is becoming outdated. Namely, models that involve centralized care management, large commercial kitchens, common therapy spaces, and medicine...
The value of attending national Open Door Forum calls
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 23, 2014
I often describe the monthly CMS Open Door Forum call as a monthly staff meeting; if you miss the meeting you better read the minutes to see what projects were assigned to you!
Long-term (care) anxiety at bargain prices
By
Gary Tetz
Apr 10, 2014
The median annual cost of a nursing home room is now more than $87,000, according to a recent survey. To an uninformed member of the public, I’m sure that seems like a lot. But what the average person...
Spacely Sprockets and the future of medical care
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Apr 02, 2014
So does anyone remember the cartoon “The Jetsons”? You know, George and Jane, daughter Judy, son Elroy and, of course, the dog, Astro. It’s kind of fun to see how their 1960s and 1980s...