Can I say I have a crush on Gary Tetz, writer of the “Things I Think” column for McKnight’s Long-Term Care News?
As is often the case, bad news for long-term care abounds including new and increasing regulations and oversight, decreasing census and reimbursement, staff shortages, and granny cams. The list goes on and on, yet at least one person puts the reality of practice into perspective and makes us laugh. As a consultant with over 30 years of operational experience, including successes, awards and multiple deficiency-free surveys, I had to chuckle at his recent article on consultants, “It’s time for LTC consultants to change.”
Gary is right. As consultants, we do lose sleep thinking and worrying about clients. We are frustrated by the excuses and the doom and gloom in the industry, and honestly, we refuse to accept justifications for “that’s just the way it is in long-term care.” Leadership can argue, blame, and make excuses. In some cases, leadership may believe they know more or better, begging the question of why they hired a consultant in the first place! Leadership may give up, even quit, but we won’t.
And though I like Gary’s suggestion, I’m not quite ready to call myself an “insultant” yet, just a consultant who cares, and one who is looking to help people who truly want to improve and be the best of the best.
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