We can learn a lot by examining Massachusetts, a state that has embraced healthcare reform and currently working to transform its Medicaid program.
Helicopter Children… or is it more than that?
By
Teresa Geroulo
Sep 25, 2023
In every facility there is at least one family member who tries to take over the care and decision making for their loved one. The term is “Helicopter Children.” Helicopter Children observe their...
My high-sodium epiphany
By
Gary Tetz
Jun 27, 2019
In long-term care, we deal with the unexpected all the time. Many of the people we serve are there because something unanticipated happened, crashing into their lives like a no-warning tsunami — or a...
Who else is using Five-Star? (Who isn’t?)
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 14, 2016
I continue to be struck by how deep Five-Star has worked its way into the countless nooks and crannies of our industry. It’s far beyond what the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services intended...
Return the reporter’s phone call, or pay the price
By
Linda Arters
Mar 11, 2013
News alert to all decision makers in the long term care industry: Prepare to communicate during a crisis BEFORE a crisis communicates for you.
It’s painful — and there’s no end in sight
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Sep 12, 2023
So here I am in Florida. I started having pain in my upper right gastric region. Over the course of three days it was getting really intense. Could my primary care provider squeeze me in? Nope. So...
My life on Zoom
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Aug 04, 2020
Well, another week is gone by with another round of Zoom meetings. And I’ll be honest: I’m as confused as a chameleon in a bag of Skittles.
Nursing homes’ raw deal during COVID-19
By
Bill McGinley
Apr 15, 2020
On their best days nursing homes start out behind the eight ball. Underfunded and understaffed, they care for the most physically needy and vulnerable among us. Generally, they are paid about 70% of the...
Embracing the journey in a Red Zone world
By
Gary Tetz
Oct 17, 2019
Call it a blessing or a curse, but give me a life experience, and I’ll connect it to long-term care in 300 words, or your money back.
Weird, wild and precious
By
Gary Tetz
Jan 24, 2019
So, let me get this straight: While others are sprinkling Xanax on their Lucky Charms every morning, I found a long-term care leader who’s excited about PDPM? Something clearly wasn’t right with...