What Baby Boomers Will Look For in Nursing Homes

Customer Service — Boomers will expect service more like a hotel than a hospital. For more on this, see my post Less Hospital, More Hospitality. Better food — They’ll want healthier food, with a greater selection, tastefully presented, in a pleasant atmosphere, and served by people who have the time and attitude to make meals … Read more

From McKnights: Communication problems stress caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s

This article from McKnights.com suggests that a key factor in reducing staff stress and injuries during transfer is understanding each resident with dementia and tailoring your approach to the individual. http://www.mcknights.com/Communication-problems-stress-caregivers-of-patients-with-Alzheimers/article/148941/?DCMP=EMC-MCK_Daily

What Nursing Home Residents Talk About in Psychotherapy

Have you ever wondered what nursing home residents discuss with their shrinks behind closed doors? Here I solve the mystery, revealing the types of conversations I’ve had with residents over the years. Feelings about leaving home and being ill. Issues around loss of control and being dependent on other people, with a focus on gaining … Read more

Improving Efficiency in Nursing Homes

Taking a page from my industrial/organizational psychology colleagues, I’ve been thinking about easy, inexpensive ways to improve efficiency in nursing homes. I recently read an article about the Starbucks company asking managers to put together a Mr. Potato Head doll as quickly as possible and then apply the experience to their work behind the coffee … Read more

“Never Too Late” Helps Seniors Fulfill Their Dreams

Today I learned of an Indianapolis-based volunteer organization with a mission “to make the dreams of elderly and terminally ill adults come true.” How cool is that? Never Too Late has helped an 88-year old man race around the Indy 500 track, an 83-year old woman go sailing, and a 70-year old man learn to … Read more

Nursing Home Beauty Pageant

Beauty queens want Ms. Missouri Nursing Home crown BY HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Nell Shepherd was past her century mark when she competed in her first beauty pageant with a walker and lively stories that made judges tear up with laughter. She reveled in the shows, so much that she insisted … Read more