Falls: A closer look

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News:   Falls: A closer look Part of my job as a geropsychologist is to conduct reviews of falls with my patients after they occur. Through discussion with the resident, I analyze what happened and assess how they’re doing after what can be a traumatic event. Together, … Read more

Why (culture) change is so hard and what to do about it

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Why (culture) change is so hard and what to do about it The team huddled around the nursing station talking in panicked whispers after the management meeting ended. “How do they expect us to do that?” a young nurse wondered. “Yeah,” an aide replied, “we’re stretched … Read more

Insights on family-friendly care from Dr. El — the daughter of a new resident

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Insights on family-friendly care from Dr. El — the daughter of a new resident Due to a series of unfortunate events, both of my previously independent parents were recently injured over the course of five weeks. In the past, I’d been the granddaughter, the niece and … Read more

Join me for the ‘Relaxed Lane’ challenge!

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Join me for the ‘Relaxed Lane’ challenge! Denise B. Scott, president of Drive Consulting, posted an intriguing story on LinkedIn the other day about a Scottish supermarket that partners with Alzheimer Scotland to help those with memory loss. The workers are trained to understand how to … Read more

Correcting long-term care’s image problem

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Correcting long-term care’s image problem Long-term care has an image problem. For a variety of reasons, we aren’t associated with good times. There are things we can do to turn this around, though, starting with the perceptions of our residents. Most people who come to live … Read more

Enhancing the value of LTC by making family visits more rewarding

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Enhancing the value of LTC by making family visits more rewarding In his Dec. 6 McKnight’s Senior Living column, Editorial Director John O’Connor reported on a senior living center in Jiangsu province in China that offers cash rewards to people who visit their loved ones. Ten … Read more

Free Gift! Holiday Savings! New LTC resources from some of the best

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The Savvy Resident’s Guide can help set reasonable expectations for your new residents and families, leading them to view their stays in a more favorable light. To see how, download a FREE Kindle version between December 7-9th and take advantage of Holidays Savings of 20% off bulk orders of 25 or more copies through Friday, December … Read more

3 surprising reasons to strengthen your resident council

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: 3 surprising reasons to strengthen your resident council When it comes to resident councils, it’s often thought that an active resident council might seem good in theory, but that it’s offset by the amount of staff time required to devote to the process and concern that … Read more

‘Healthwear’ and other culture changes

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: ‘Healthwear’ and other culture changes My mother has a knack for taking something awkward and, as she puts it, “turning it into a feature.” For example, the previous owners of our family home placed the living room couch in front of a protruding radiator so that … Read more

Racism and LTC

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Racism and LTC A friend of mine called me this week, upset about the racial tension making headlines in the news. We discussed what we could do as individuals to improve the situation. “I called a friend of mine of a different race,” she said. “I … Read more