Top 5 news stories reveal varied interests among long-term care professionals
By
John O'Connor
Jan 03, 2014
What do neck abnormalities, dangerous bacteria, a murder-suicide, a defensive nursing home chain, and antipsychotic guidelines have in common? These five developments were voted the most popular news stories...
Four ways for assisted living operators to facilitate transitions
By
Allan S. Vann, Ed.D
Dec 20, 2013
My wife, Clare, has Alzheimer’s disease and recently entered the “Reflections” unit for residents with dementia in an assisted living facility. Clare’s transition from home to ALF...
Spare us the false hope about Alzheimer’s
By
John O'Connor
Nov 01, 2013
Here we go again: This week saw the release of yet another breathless study claiming the cure for Alzheimer’s disease is getting closer — maybe.
Maybe the 90s are the new 80s
By
John O'Connor
Jul 12, 2013
A friend who has spent a lifetime studying Alzheimer’s disease once offered this double-edged observation: Once you make it to age 90, your odds of avoiding the disease dramatically improve.
Frisky Alzheimer’s residents: ‘ew’ or ‘aw’?
By
John O'Connor
Mar 15, 2013
Alzheimer’s disease is very good at taking. It takes away memories. It takes away personalities. It can be argued that Alzheimer’s essentially takes away a person’s essence. And as almost...
Expert advice on how we all can develop a better memory
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 05, 2012
I’m fascinated with long-term care topics that at first blush might seem to be speaking to residents, but upon closer reflection are personally even more interesting to long-term care workers or...
Are you ready for some (neurodegenerative disease inducing) football?
By
John O'Connor
Sep 07, 2012
Football has become our national sport. This wonderful, tough game has been turning boys into men for generations. But it may also be turning men into nursing home residents way before their time.
Minimizing caregiver risk
By
Carol J. Farran and Judith J. McCann
Sep 04, 2012
Memory care can be taxing on a caregiver. When a staff member is consistently charged with caring for more advanced Alzheimer’s residents, the care can be even more stressful.
New initiatives needed to build skilled caregiver workforce
By
Alice Vestergaard, Ed.D
May 05, 2012
The aging of the American population and the healthcare issues that go with it are creating a demographic earthquake that will shake our current system of healthcare to the core. We are on our way to becoming...
Therapists can co-treat? Why yes, they can!
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Apr 19, 2012
Have you heard? Yes, it’s true. We can now provide therapy co-treatment with another discipline WITHOUT splitting our treatment time. But, not so fast …