The saying in 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is that alcoholism is a three-fold disease: physical, mental, and spiritual. The only-half-kidding joke is that alcoholism is a three-fold disease: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. The holidays can be a particularly stressful time for nursing home residents as their celebrations have often changed significantly … Read more
To add to last year’s post on Holiday Gifts for Nursing Home Residents, here are more gift ideas to brighten the lives of loves ones in long-term care: Magazine or Newspaper Subscriptions Kindle or other reader that allows for enlarging print Cozy slippers or socks Radio or portable audio player Telephone and monthly service (if … Read more
Looking for a great, inexpensive way to create some good will and holiday cheer at the nursing home this year? Why not set up a call center using Skype? Residents, families, and staff members can sign up to call loved ones around the globe, conversing with them via video call. What it would take: A … Read more
My Better Nursing Home was nominated for best blog at SeniorHomes.com in the Best Industry Blogs and Websites category! Please take a moment to click and vote for MBNH here. Thanks!
Guest Post by Kitty Holman: Nursing home staff are a tireless group of professionals and medical personnel striving to care and advocate for Americans elderly. From administrators and nurses to social workers and therapists, the number of people needed to keep nursing homes running smoothly is great. To help these professionals stay abreast of relevant … Read more
I posted this before the holidays in 2008, but it’s worth repeating: ‘Twas the week before Christmas… And 83-year old Albertha assured me her family was planning to take her home for the holidays. “Have you talked to them about it? Have they called the social worker to arrange a pass, and meds, and transportation?” … Read more
“Some staff members may never have eaten at a fancy restaurant or stayed at a 5-star hotel,” the speaker at a long-term care conference pointed out, “How can we expect them to provide good customer service when they don’t know what it is?” That comment got me thinking about the nursing home staff dining room … Read more
Part Three of a Three Part Series (Part One — The International Center for Long-Term Care Innovation Part Two — Signature HealthCARE: Great Ideas in Practice) I recently interviewed Jeff A. Beaty, D.H.Ed., LMSW, QDCP, SSBB, Chief Development Officer for Signature HealthCARE, about the role of psychology at Signature. I was pleased to hear that … Read more
Part Two of a Three Part Series (Part One — The International Center for Long-Term Care Innovation Part Three — Medical Cost Offset: The Role of Psychology at Signature HealthCARE) I wasn’t expecting to write a post on Signature HealthCARE, but I was impressed by what I read during my research on the International Center … Read more
I’m on the front cover of the October 2010 issue of Caring for the Ages, published by the American Medical Directors Association. The lead article, quoting me, focuses on the need for substance abuse treatment within nursing homes. For those interested in more on this subject, please see my post, Why Every Nursing Home Should … Read more