After witnessing a musical performance that left me amazed and stupefied, I went home with a flash of insight and a long-sought analogy — facility administrators are the blues drummers of long-term care.
What makes a Five-Star nursing home?
By
Debra Larkin
Jan 25, 2017
The philosophy we’ve followed at Presbyterian Village at Hollidaysburg in order to achieve our Five-Star rating has always been to constantly evolve and strive for innovative and creative ways to...
C’mon, give me a hug!
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jan 24, 2017
With so many obscure holidays out there, I notice there is no “National Appreciate a Nurse Day.” Nursing Home Week and Nurses’ Week do not count. I want a day to put on my tiara and not...
Maybe you don’t want to be in that preferred network …
By
Steven Littlehale
Jan 23, 2017
When it comes to contemplating joining caregiving networks, maybe you have more in common with the hospital than you think. Poor-performing hospitals tend to coexist in the same market as poor-performing...
Is your rehab partner wearing blinders?
By
Renee Kinder
Jan 19, 2017
Never, ever bet on a horse wearing blinders. Why, you ask? Because, of course, a horse wearing blinders must be irresponsible, uncontrollable and, worst of all, completely unaware of its surroundings....
The life-changing magic of ABBA-ing up
By
Gary Tetz
Jan 12, 2017
Even though I’ve decided not to make my usual naïve New Year’s recommendations to veteran long-term care professionals, maybe a quick review of some important industry news from the profession’s...
What to do when a POA agent doesn’t pay
By
William W. Sleeth III
Jan 11, 2017
Long-term care facilities traditionally take steps to ensure that residents have a financial and a healthcare power of attorney in place upon admittance. But what happens when an agent named under a POA...
Let them eat cake!
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jan 10, 2017
As our long-stay residents age in place, often we see them get to a point where we begin to notice that they are reducing their intake. Often, they are prescribed less-than-desirable-tasting supplements....
A two-pronged approach to protecting SNF residents from influenza
By
William Schaffner, M.D.
Jan 09, 2017
Good news: More skilled nursing facility staff are getting their annual influenza vaccine than ever before. Last season, nearly 70% were vaccinated, up from 64% a year earlier. Bad news: SNF staff still...
Understanding ‘Unbefriended’
By
Caroline A. Vitale, M.D.
Jan 04, 2017
We’re wrapping up a time of year when many of us are heartened by seeing family and friends for the holidays. But what if residents don’t have anyone?