Resident care

The sounds of LTC

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The sounds of LTC Observing the customary cacophony at the nursing station, I’d estimate that so-called “alarm fatigue” contributes to more than a few tragedies in long-term care. Here’s one example that resulted in a lawsuit filing after a resident died when nursing staff ignored the … Read more

9 reasons why it’s better to congregate than disperse short-term rehab residents

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: 9 reasons why it’s better to congregate than disperse short-term rehab residents In most of my long-term care career, I’ve witnessed short-term rehabilitation (STR) residents housed together, but occasionally facilities have scattered them throughout the building. I don’t know the reasoning behind dispersing residents, but from … Read more

Dr. El’s ‘Quality of Life’ star ratings are the way to go

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Dr. El’s ‘Quality of Life’ star ratings are the way to go The Nursing Home Compare star rating system assesses quality of care based on health inspections, staffing and quality of resident care measures. It examines important factors such as emergency preparedness, resident/staff ratios, re-hospitalization rates, … Read more

The tumult of turnover

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The tumult of turnover I once rode down a crowded afternoon elevator with the CEO of a managed care company. “It must be 5:01,” he commented wryly. I heard a measure of scorn for his employees’ lack of dedication to the job. What I saw was … Read more

Dr. El’s Theory of Angry Activities

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Dr. El’s Theory of Angry Activities “Scream as loud as you can,” I encouraged my companions before we plunged down the waterslide in our rubber raft at the water park on Independence Day. “There aren’t enough opportunities for yelling in everyday life. Let’s make the most … Read more

The ticklish balancing act: Resident rights vs. care quality

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The ticklish balancing act: Resident rights vs. care quality You know the scenario: A resident wants to eat donuts, but it will send her blood sugar skyrocketing. The staff members aren’t sure whether to let her indulge as part of person-centered care or to insist on … Read more

Why it’s impossible to maintain prior levels of care quality, and what to do about it

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Why it’s impossible to maintain prior levels of care quality, and what to do about it In Editorial Director John O’Connor’s April 16th column, he reported on a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicating that increasing numbers of new residents have dementia, are more physically … Read more

The importance of leadership in creating good deaths in LTC

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The importance of leadership in creating good deaths in LTC In one of the more disturbing encounters I’ve had in long-term care — in a 5-Star deficiency-free nursing home — I offered my condolences to an aide on the loss of a resident she’d cared for … Read more

Enhancing quality of care through design

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Enhancing quality of care through design Last week, I attended an accessible design symposium at the Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York City to see what ideas I could use with elders in long-term care. Through listening to the symposium speakers, reading descriptions of works featured … Read more

Home, small home

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Home, small home In 2014, I wrote, “I finally visit a Green House (and it blows my mind).” The Green House is designed with a spacious common area, private bedrooms and showers, unobtrusive medical items and universal workers practicing person-centered care. The model shows that it’s … Read more