Super-utilizers: LTC has them too

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Super-utilizers: LTC has them too I was flying home after visiting some family elders last week (a story itself perhaps for another time) when I happened upon a Kaiser Health News article about “super-utilizers” of emergency room services. Research on Medi-Cal, California’s state health insurance for … Read more

From abysmal to mediocre: Encouraging hand hygiene

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: From abysmal to mediocre: Encouraging hand hygiene As a consultant in long-term care, I learned how to properly wash my hands by reading the hand hygiene poster hung above the sink at one of my first nursing homes. I’ve gotten more diligent over the years (read: … Read more

Dr. El’s work mentioned on “Last Comforts” blog

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I’m pleased to report a nice mention of my work on the blog of journalist Ellen Rand, author of Last Comforts: Notes from the Forefront of Late Life Care. Last Comforts, the book and the blog, focus on improving ways of managing late-life care.  Below is an excerpt of her blog post. The rest can … Read more

Full code: Discussing advance directives

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Full code: Discussing advance directives Assistance in creating a “good death” is a fundamental task of any organization working with elders and may be addressed by a number of team members singly or in combination. Since these discussions are often easier said than done, I thought … Read more

Depression – AND its treatments – are fall risks

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Depression – AND its treatments – are fall risks Feeling “down” takes on a wicked double-meaning for some seniors. Even conscientious providers could be unaware of it, let alone know what to do about it. As McKnight’s Staff Writer Emily Mongan points out in “Depression treatments … Read more

Creating a dialysis-friendly facility

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Creating a dialysis-friendly facility Studies show there will be an increasing number of people on dialysis in the coming years. It’s likely many of them will be in long-term care. There is much that can be done to improve the quality of life for these individuals … Read more

Help for hoarders, and those who care for them

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Help for hoarders, and those who care for them It can be challenging for long-term care providers when residents amass large quantities of possessions. Facilities generally worry about hoarding when the amount of belongings prohibits the resident or staff members from safely moving about their room … Read more

Are Families Ready For The Death And Dying Conversation?

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Aging advocate Carol Marak interviewed a group of eldercare experts (including me) regarding their experiences discussing death and dying with elders and their families. Her Huffington Post piece on the topic, excerpted below, suggests that yes, families — and many healthcare providers — are ready to have these important and necessary conversations. Are Families Ready … Read more

Clone this woman. Steal this idea.

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Clone this woman. Steal this idea. A few months ago, I was consulting at the Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica, NY, when a remarkable woman named Trudy Schwarz walked down the hall. Her noteworthy qualities were obvious in several ways. A diminutive woman, … Read more