As leaders, our responsibilities never seem to end. During the pandemic many lives depended on us. None of us need to be reminded of that, but the work is far from over. We now have a proven tool available...
Four choices
By
Julie Thorson
Sep 15, 2021
Testing our leadership skills, especially our communication skills, is certainly difficult these days. Effective communication is always a challenge, but when our emotions are running high and exhaustion...
Essential experts
By
Julie Thorson
May 27, 2020
My leadership advice is to go back to the basics: communicate, include, communicate, include, communicate, include — over and over again.
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...
Table hopper or bartender?
By
Julie Thorson
Apr 03, 2024
A few weeks ago, I had a lengthy conversation with a friend in leadership. Deb Reardanz is the CEO of a lovely Illinois retirement community, Clark Lindsey Village. Our paths first crossed...
Pandemic paralysis
By
Julie Thorson
Jul 21, 2021
I am not a medical expert, doctor, or counselor; I’m simply a coach’s daughter leading in the great field of long-term care. Pandemic paralysis continues to have a tight hold on us in long-term care....
Frontline, Emeritus and the question of empathy
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 20, 2013
It’s easier to have empathy for people if you know specific things about them. Long-term care providers know this, and it is behind many valuable programs to learn more about residents’ lives....
Gotcha! The fine art of nursing home prankster-ism
By
Brett Bakshis
Apr 02, 2009
April Fools’ Day, which was yesterday, has always been one of those “whatever” holidays for me. I enjoy practical jokes as much as the next guy, but I think it’s best to watch other people get...
The silver lining
By
Julie Thorson
Jul 22, 2020
I’m 46. I bet you just thought one of three things. “She’s still pretty young.” “She’s getting up there.” Or … the third option, “Good for you, but why would you start a blog...
Opinion: Having My Say — How your future might look
Mar 09, 2007
I’d like to share with you a story of our future. AAHSA recently completed our second scenario-planning exercise. It is designed to help us see what the next 10 years might hold for our field. The...