communication

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

The image of LTC in the arts

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The image of LTC in the arts I was perusing The New York Times last week when I came upon an article about a play centering on my favorite topic — aging. “Singing Beach,” by playwright Tina Howe, revolves around the drama that consumes a family … Read more

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

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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

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

On power, teamwork and communication

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: On power, teamwork and communication Having enough of it at work, I tend to avoid drama in my entertainment choices unless it involves aliens or post-apocalyptic nonsense. My family and I are currently enjoying the creative spectacle of Project Runway “Teams” version from a few seasons … Read more