families

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 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

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

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

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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