Long-term care providers that don’t recognize same-sex marriages would be endangering their ability to take part in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, the federal agency overseeing the programs...
A winning score: 20 years of helping hands
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 07, 2015
An old parable says that if you’re wondering whether acquiring a great new tool or developing a staff member is more important, try putting that tool in the hands of an incompetent worker.
Making the case: It’s been a wild year
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 17, 2014
As the sands of the year race to their finish, there is one certainty about the long-term care news in 2014: It’s been wild and trying.
Cut the hypocrisy when it comes to flu shots for health workers
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 10, 2014
Providers get enough pressure about vaccinating their employees. They don’t need the hypocrisy dished out by surveyors too.
Illustrating how to double your flu vaccination rate
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 26, 2014
Take whichever side of the argument you want, but you can’t disagree that New York state’s new flu-vaccine mandate has had a profound effect. By declaring health workers have to wear a facemask...
No joke: Nursing Home Compare, ratings earn praise
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 19, 2014
At first blush, the phrasing seemed like the punch line to a questionable long-term care-related gag. But upon further reflection, it began to sound more and more like an earnest compliment. The government’s...
Breier named new CEO at Kindred
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 31, 2014
Kindred Healthcare announced Thursday that it has chosen a new top executive to lead its push toward creating a mammoth national brand. Benjamin A. Breier, the company’s current president and COO,...
Glen Campbell Alzheimer’s documentary brings out the stars — caregivers and celebrities alike
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 22, 2014
As readers of this blog may recall, my expectations for the special screening of the new documentary about music superstar Glen Campbell’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease were high. Sunday...
Powell hits all the right notes
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 08, 2014
What do you call a 77-year-old who has worked with — indeed BEEN one of — the most powerful people in the world, traveled the globe extensively, served his country with honor for decades and then charms,...
Minimum wage battle inches closer to long-term care
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 04, 2014
I remember with a sad chuckle the way my German friend Volker felt that American news coverage during one of his visits was too narrowly focused. Where, for example, were the stories about the Iraq-Iran...