For reasons that are understandable yet hard to countenance, antipsychotic drugs are widely used in nursing homes. Too often over-used, according to government statistics. But it’s beginning to look...
What lurks in long-term care residents’ minds
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 03, 2011
The first rule of any debate, or “heated” discussion, is to know your definitions. If you don’t, not much else matters. With caregiving, it comes down to knowing your people.
Working just to pay for healthcare
By
Matthew Yarnell
Jan 25, 2016
In 2015, our union surveyed nursing home workers and found that nearly 40% did not receive health insurance through their employer and the biggest reason was the cost of insurance, followed by the inadequacy...
Could end-of-life care be getting worse?
By
Oct 11, 2017
With more providers and patients than ever focusing on palliative and hospice care, shouldn’t the quality improve at least a little bit? Not necessarily.
Does caring for specialty populations hurt your public profile?
By
Steven Littlehale
Jun 20, 2016
Many skilled nursing facilities are de facto specialty care centers with a disproportionately large number of certain types of residents. This scenario, unfortunately, can translate into a liability in...
Why I chose to leave the nursing home profession: A fed-up executive’s story
By
Julie Boggess, MPA, LNHA
Apr 06, 2018
At one time, I was a nursing home administrator who was “on fire” about the topic of culture change in long-term care. I believed that working to de-institutionalize the institution was the...
Is nurse fatigue leading to an unengaged workforce?
By
Jennifer Zannotti
Jun 12, 2017
Nurses spend each shift taking care of patients because they love what they do — they’re passionate people, but are nurses being cared for?
Just say NO — to giving in to patients
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jul 09, 2014
I’m just going to say it: Nurses in long-term care are really guilty when it comes to giving in to patients who want non-clinically necessary treatment. You know what I mean.
National Infection Control Week: Invigorating our hand hygiene practices
By
Tom Bergin
Oct 19, 2016
As hospitals and healthcare facilities across North America observe National Infection Control Week, it’s an opportune time to identify and explore modern means to improve facility-wide hygiene.
4 tips for boosting resident satisfaction
By
Gina Smith
Sep 28, 2016
Your residents and potential consumers are paying more attention than ever to the care they receive, and long-term care providers are taking note.