Here’s my latest article in Long-Term Living magazine online: Family members: 5 ways to turn fault finders into fans For most families, entry into a nursing home is like being teleported onto a strange new planet. The arrival is often swift and unanticipated, and the customs are foreign and frequently unnerving. Think back to your … Read more
Here’s my latest article in Long-Term Living Magazine online: 5 team building practices that will make your staff WANT to stay According to a 2011 American Health Care Association study, the average nursing home turnover rate is 35 percent for all staff and 43 percent for CNAs. By contrast, Fortune magazine reports that the 100 best companies to … Read more
On Monday, I blogged about a contest to transform “a day in the life of the resident.” I like this contest because it asks staff members for their often-overlooked expertise, and is designed to improve life for the residents, centering the nursing home day around their needs rather than vice versa. I got an update on … Read more
Back in August 2011, I posted about A Contest for Person-Centered Care, run by the Ensign Group, asking those working at their facilities to transform “a day in the life of the resident.” The goal was to change the daily experience of the resident as a cog going through the wheels of the nursing home … Read more
Here’s my most recent article in McKnight’s Long-Term Care news online: The “Single” Boom: Problems and Solutions for Long-Term Care According to recent reports, one-third of the baby boomers who will be arriving at the doorstep of long-term care are unmarried. Many of them have no children. Just as our healthcare system relies on unpaid … Read more
Here’s my latest article in Long-Term Living magazine online, 5 Secrets Your Line Staff Wishes You Knew: Click-clack. Click-Clack. The hard-bottomed shoes of the administrator echoed through the halls once again, this time accompanied by the high heels of the director of nursing. The crepe-soled nursing staff moved about the floor, silently hoping the bigwigs … Read more
Here’s my latest article, on The Silo Effect, at Long-Term Living magazine’s online site: The employees listened carefully to their boss as he outlined a new procedure. “Any questions?” None were raised, and the boss, pleased at the consensus, adjourned the meeting. But outside the conference room, the murmurs started. How do they expect us … Read more
Have you ever attended an online conference? If not, here’s your chance to try something new for the first time. McKnight’s annual event offers the opportunity to attend a conference, and get CE credits, without travel. Simply register for the conference in advance, and then log in to hear the talks, visit the vendors, and … Read more
I’m excited to announce my forthcoming book, which will become available in the next month or two: The Savvy Resident’s Guide: Everything You Wanted to Know About Your Nursing Home Stay, But Were Afraid to Ask The Savvy Resident’s Guide, based on my 15+ years as a nursing home psychologist, is the first book written just … Read more
Check out my article, 4 Ways Psychology Can Improve Your Bottom Line, featured on Long-Term Living Magazine’s online site: It’s common knowledge that mental health and physical health are connected, but are you aware that applying mental health concepts to your organization could save you money? Observe the four theories below and my hypothetical long-term care … Read more