Amid some good news in healthcare hiring as we recover from the pandemic, staff shortages involve a range of difficult challenges that will persist for years. Among other factors, it’s difficult to find...
The underappreciated bartenders of long-term care
By
Gary Tetz
Mar 21, 2024
Before you think poorly of me, let me explain. I was in the bar that afternoon only because I had heard such great things about the nachos. Not buying it? How about this: I was conducting an in-person...
Programming with a purpose: Cultivating vocational wellness
By
Charles de Vilmorin
Apr 04, 2024
“Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.” ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning The roles we play in our lives give us a sense of purpose...
AI: Living in the future
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Oct 17, 2023
Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is a rapidly growing field that has the potential to revolutionize the way medical professionals diagnose and treat patients. The use of AI algorithms and machine...
One more spin around the dance floor before CMS takes its bow
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 16, 2024
It’s the annual coming out season for the nursing home brass at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, who’ve recently been spotted at two provider conferences and filled a whole day’s agenda...
Therapy should be more than productivity
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Apr 22, 2024
“I’m too sick for therapy today.” “Come back later.” “Leave me alone.” If you’ve worked in long-term care (or hospitals or LTACHs or acute rehab hospitals), you’ve heard...
The importance of designing thoughtful spaces for older adults with sensory disabilities
By
Tu-Anh Bui Johnson
Ron Franks
Jan 17, 2024
Designing inclusive and accessible healthcare spaces can be a challenging experience, especially when architects and planners must heed guidelines that don’t always comprehensively address the needs...
Vaccinations and health officials’ inconvenient truths
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 05, 2024
Twice in two weeks, the nation’s top health official has called providers on the carpet over concerns about COVID-19 vaccination rates in nursing homes. It wasn’t billed as a scolding session, but...
Understanding and addressing pain: Thoughts for therapists
By
Renee Kinder
Feb 01, 2024
In my continued endeavor to win Mother of the Year, I really racked up some points this week. Isaac, my youngest son, took a nice spill last Friday while skiing. He suffered what we thought...
Sometimes all you need is a hug
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Dec 05, 2023
I recently had the joy of spending a week with my 2½-year-old granddaughter. One thing that stood out to me was that when she was feeling insecure, she would say, “Mom-mom, I need a hug.” Something...