Since the late 1990’s, the Minimum Data Set has been a primary driver in the long-term care industry, influencing all areas of skilled nursing facility operations. With so much depending on it, ensuring...
How COVID-19 unmasked ageism
By
Joel Landau
Jan 25, 2021
For every occasion, even a pandemic, there appears to be a hashtag. One used to describe the coronavirus was particularly vile, particularly cruel: #BoomerRemover. There is, tragically, some truth to it,...
Point of Care data collection: information at your fingertips
By
Larry Triplett
Nov 11, 2008
It’s time to move on from the old method of pen-and-paper documentation in long-term care. Point-of-care electronic data collection offers improved accuracy, communication and resident care. So what...
Making sense of two approaches to the skilled nursing quality assurance privilege
By
Mario C. Giannettino
Sep 01, 2023
Skilled nursing facilities are required by law to have quality assessment and assurance committees to maintain and improve safety and quality in their facilities. The documents created and used by the...
My incredible shrinking lifespan
By
Gary Tetz
Oct 14, 2021
With so much still to say to the long-term care profession, I’m realizing I better write fast, because I may not have many years left. Less all the time, according to a study from Oxford University....
Malnourishment: Your issue and mine
By
Martie Moore
Apr 26, 2017
I was amazed how I lost 10 pounds while being in the hospital. I made a joke with a friend of mine who is a dietician about the “hospital diet.” She became very serious and stated, “You...
The Aging reality show
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
May 18, 2011
One of the things about working in long-term care is that it’s both a blessing and a curse — knowing about aging. For example, it’s not a good thing when you aren’t prepared for it,...
There IS such a thing as a stupid question
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jul 07, 2020
As an educator, I always let the audience know that there is no such thing as a stupid question. But now I have to take that back.
When will we ever get good press?
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Dec 12, 2017
You know, a lot of great stuff happens in the long-term and post-acute care setting. But nooooooo, no one ever wants to talk about the good stuff. One bad apple and the mainstream press go wild and we...
Mother, may I? Please, don’t ask
By
Renee Kinder
May 09, 2024
“Mother!” “Mother, can you hear me?” “Mother, may I have a fried PB&J?” A few weeks ago, I heard these words coming from our youngest. My immediate response was almost visceral, annoyed. “Emmy,...