Communication

Taking teamwork to a deeper level

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Taking teamwork to a deeper level When we think of teamwork in long-term care, we envision a group of dedicated specialists working together to provide the best care for our residents. They read notes from other disciplines, bounce ideas off colleagues at the nursing station and … Read more

Self-disclosure: What your staff needs to know about revealing personal information to residents

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Self-disclosure: What your staff needs to know about revealing personal information to residents As “Eileen” suggested in the comments section of a recent “Dr. El” blog, disclosing personal information can be a good way to establish a more intimate connection with residents. While self-disclosure can create … Read more

4 ways to revamp work culture in the new year

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: 4 ways to revamp work culture in the new year Ahhh. A new year. It’s time for a fresh start, the chance to take life in a different direction. Many of my friends have remarked to me that they want more focus on family and friends … Read more

Interview with the Commissioner of the NYC Dept of Aging (Silo-Busting)

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Silo-busting Ideas from an interview with Dr. Donna Corrado, Commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging Within long-term care, overcoming the problems caused by silos can lead to better care coordination, increased interdepartmental cooperation and reduced work redundancy. My 1-on-1 interview with Donna … Read more

Disaster communication: A tale of two mothers-in-law

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Disaster communication: A tale of two mothers-in-law Both of my mothers-in-law live in long-term care communities in Florida. (I’ll keep the backstory about having two MILs a mystery.) One MIL lives in a place that was excellent about how they communicated with family members before, during … Read more

You and your staff are very different: Use it to your advantage

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: You and your staff are very different: Use it to your advantage I often speak with healthcare groups, giving psychological insights about a variety of issues within long-term care. Sometimes I address a C-suite audience; other times I train direct care staff. I noticed during the … Read more

Calming fears of floods and other catastrophes

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Calming fears of floods and other catastrophes By now it’s likely that you, your staff, the residents and their families have seen the incredibly disturbing photo of assisted living residents in Dickinson, TX, sitting in waist-high floodwaters. Thankfully, all the older women in the picture have … Read more

Promote your connections

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Promote your connections  One of the things that most brightens my workday is when I see long-term care residents hanging out together. In particular, I’ve noticed two ladies who attend activities in tandem wearing dresses with hats and costume jewelry, a threesome of confused residents who … Read more

The “last day” protocol

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The “last day” protocol I waited outside the room until the rehab therapists finished talking to Jim, who’d been admitted to the nursing home the night before. I read over the basic info on his face sheet before my consult. Jim was an 87-year old widower … Read more

Opening the door for ombudsmen

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Opening the door for ombudsmen Last week during a talk at the Pennsylvania Department of Aging 2017 Ombudsman Conference, audience members told me that they’re having difficulty speaking to administrators and other senior staff when they visit the facilities. In fact, some people reported that the … Read more