At a glance… The long-term care industry is realizing the first priority of cleaning is not for appearance, it is for health's sake. This “hygienic Read More »
As an ombudsman volunteer for the past six plus years, I have witnessed the effects of short staffing and have also heard many of the complaints Read More »
At a glance… Knollwood's decision to adopt a sustainable “green” cleaning strategy is based on the belief that a program rooted in best practices Read More »
In a previous column, we addressed staff satisfaction—and what staff members really want. ‘Respect’ and ‘appreciation’ are tops on the list. Sadly, Read More »
At a glance… David Oatway, RN, MPH Technology is available now to assist maintaining the physical, mental, and psychological health of disabled Read More »
The words “MDS 3.0” undoubtedly trigger a number of disparate thoughts in a director of nursing's (DON's) mind. This is going to be a year of Read More »
At a glance… Rethinking values and practices brings everyone together to create a homelike environment at all levels of care. After analyzing the Read More »
In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the ENERGY STAR® program to promote and identify products that were energy Read More »
In late 2008, I was grappling with the problem of trying to prioritize in-house and continuing education training programs for our 100 therapists Read More »
Leaders at all levels of an organization need to be available, approachable, and visible. If leaders spend all of their time in their offices, how Read More »
At many senior living facilities, change is constant. Rooms are repurposed and redesigned. Residents are always moving in, moving between rooms, and Read More »
New terms are being bantered about in healthcare. One is the “accountable care organization.” The idea is that a group of providers—primary care Read More »
Securing and retaining staff, keeping them happy and content continue to be a major and very expensive problem in assisted living and long-term care. Read More »
At a glance… Renegotiating vendor contracts presents no-nonsense, cost-cutting opportunities. It's no secret long-term care professionals have a Read More »
“Would we do this again? Yes! The implementation of this model has generated outcomes that have made this community more successful, productive, and Read More »
Why is it that employees are hired in assisted living and long-term care, placed in positions without any preparation or orientation, and then both Read More »
At a glance… Laundry workers at long-term care facilities can help stem the outbreak of the H1N1 virus by washing hands before and after being in a Read More »
Long-term care (LTC) professionals are well aware that our jobs, our facilities, and our patients' expectations have radically changed in the past Read More »
“I could write a book about that.” How often have you as a long-term care administrator, DON, or other manager said that about the work you do? Not Read More »
The conversation that you never want to have with your insurance professional is the one when he or she informs you that there is no coverage Read More »
Boutique hotels…boutique shops…boutique spas…boutique senior living…. What? Boutique senior living? That's correct! The arrival of America's most Read More »
Nestled on 88 New England-picturesque acres in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is an enclave of apartments, cottages, gardens, and townhomes designed by Read More »
A reader asks, “Is there a correlation between nursing staff length of service and resident longevity? Our 180-bed sister skilled nursing and Read More »
At a glance… Isabella Geriatric Center, New York, has found that by stating its values, involving everyone in the process, and tackling issues that Read More »
If I can just find the right external device I know I can change the person's internal motivation to move, I just know it!” It seems obvious, even Read More »
Since OBRA 1987, there has been a steady climb in the rate of pressure ulcer litigation in the United States. Fueling the fires are policies from Read More »
Personnel investigations are necessary whenever there is an allegation or indication of employee misconduct. According to Federal Regulation F-225, Read More »
Many liken staff turnover to a revolving door—new staff leave as quickly as they arrived. We have previously described methods to transform the Read More »
The Quality Indicator Survey (QIS)-that intriguing potential substitute for the not-much-beloved OBRA nursing home survey process-is marching right Read More »
