When I found out Andy Rooney died over the weekend, I was unexpectedly saddened. For me, Andy Rooney represents my fondest thoughts about my own grandfather. He died from congestive heart failure, after...
LTC dementia residents are remaining in hospice longer
By
Mary Gustafson
Feb 01, 2011
Dementia patients are increasingly using hospice care benefits, according to an analysis of nursing home records. The investigation also revealed that 40% of nursing home residents suffer from some degree...
C. diff transmissions more prevalent than thought
By
Mary Gustafson
Oct 01, 2012
Clostridium difficile transmission and mortality rates are far higher in nursing homes and other healthcare settings than the most recent government statistics suggest, an investigation has found.
A day in the life: A walk on the wild side
By
Mary Gustafson
Apr 01, 2011
Joel Nelson, the maintenance supervisor for a sheltered care facility in Princeton, IL, has worked in maintenance capacities for 35 years. But that hardly prepared him for one particular resident’s...
Resident handling programs can minimize worker injuries
By
Mary Gustafson
Sep 01, 2011
The growing disparity between the average American’s weight and safe lifting requirements presents a challenge for long-term care workers who perform heavy lifting. As a result, facilities with safe...
Your big fat Greek retirement community
By
Mary Gustafson
Oct 25, 2012
The New York Times Magazine article “The Island Where People Forget to Die” describes a Greek island that has the healing properties of the island from the TV show “Lost” and all...
A Day in the Life: Finding the future stars of LTC
By
Mary Gustafson
Mar 01, 2012
Jana Headrick likes to snag them when they’re young — future long-term care professionals, that is. As the director of wellness at the continuing care retirement facility at Inverness Retirement...
Study shows sickest people most dissatisfied with care
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 06, 2012
Nursing home residents, who often have at least one or more chronic condition, are among the sickest individuals treated by the American healthcare system. This population’s high utilization rates...
Ask the care expert: Will our facilities face OSHA inspections?
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 06, 2012
Yes, you are correct with your “grapevine” info but inspections will be focused on more than just infections. On April 12, 2012, OSHA announced a new plan called the NEP (National Emphasis...
He’s tuned in to resident choice
By
Mary Gustafson
Jun 01, 2011
When iPods, the popular portable music players, started to become ubiquitous in about 2006, licensed social worker Dan Cohen Googled “iPods and nursing homes.” He found no connection between...