I recently attended the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) conference and found it to be the most moving and motivating event that I have attended in years. While health care professionals are aware that there are over 200,000 individuals living with early stage dementia, our level of understanding of the experience of living with dementia cannotContinue reading “Dementia Action Alliance: A voice for persons with early stage dementia in their own words”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Gilster to be Featured Speaker at North Carolina Culture Change Coalition Symposium
I am thrilled to be the featured speaker for the North Carolina Culture Change Coalition at upcoming symposiums scheduled around the state. As I discussed in a previous article, the North Carolina Culture Change Coalition understands that leadership is responsible for the organizational culture, which drives quality care, compliance, resident, family and staff satisfaction andContinue reading “Gilster to be Featured Speaker at North Carolina Culture Change Coalition Symposium”
Excuses, Excuses: Thoughts on Consulting in Long-Term Care
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,Continue reading “Excuses, Excuses: Thoughts on Consulting in Long-Term Care”
Focus on Workforce Retention, 2019 Dementia Recommendations: American College of Health Care Administrators Annual Convocation
I am excited to see many of you at the upcoming American College of Health Care Administrators Annual Convocation in Louisville, Kentucky. I’ll be presenting two sessions this year on workforce, including “Workforce Retention: The Key to Quality, Compliance and Satisfaction,” as well as “National Dementia Care Practice Recommendations: Developing a Competent Person-Centered Care Workforce.”Continue reading “Focus on Workforce Retention, 2019 Dementia Recommendations: American College of Health Care Administrators Annual Convocation”
Upcoming Program to Examine Leadership Role in Long-Term Care Culture Change
Culture is defined as the thoughts, beliefs, values, practice and social behavior of a particular group of people. Hence to change or enhance a culture requires working with people; changing beliefs, the work experience, affecting actions and behaviors, and making a change in how people go about their daily work. Much has been written aboutContinue reading “Upcoming Program to Examine Leadership Role in Long-Term Care Culture Change”
Keeping Perspective Amid the Changing Long-Term Care News
It is a stressful time and the daily blasts and news for long-term care is reportedly not all that positive. While staying current and taking in all of the news about the pressures for the industry now and among the regulations and citations to come is important and critical to learn from the experience ofContinue reading “Keeping Perspective Amid the Changing Long-Term Care News”
Thanksgiving: A Time to Offer Appreciation for Long-Term Care Staff
According to the song, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” but for some it is not necessarily true of the holiday season. The holidays present a number of challenges for many – never enough time, multiple food requests, family pressures, scheduling, and of course cleaning, shopping and cooking. Kicking off the holiday seasonContinue reading “Thanksgiving: A Time to Offer Appreciation for Long-Term Care Staff”
Strategies to Decrease New Hire Turnover in Long-Term Care
In a recent discussion, an Administrator asked about hiring and the rapid turnover often seen in long-term care. Some suggested it was normal, just part of the business and nothing could be done. I say not so! Selecting staff is a process that requires careful attention and a consistent plan. If you are simply fillingContinue reading “Strategies to Decrease New Hire Turnover in Long-Term Care”
Staff Turnover, Person-Centered Care and Regulations
Following my recent article on person-centered care (PCC) regulations, a question asked on my thoughts on the challenges of providing PCC considering the staffing challenges facing the industry. There is no doubt that PCC is much more easily provided when there is a sufficient number of consistent staff. PCC is at its core relationship based,Continue reading “Staff Turnover, Person-Centered Care and Regulations”
Emphasis on Person-Centered Care Citations is Underway
Person-centered care is a well-established philosophy of care incorporating the needs and desires of each person. Providing person-centered care is dependent upon “knowing the person” as a unique, one-of-a-kind individual. This philosophy is not new and should not be a foreign concept for anyone working in healthcare, particularly long-term care. Elements were addressed as farContinue reading “Emphasis on Person-Centered Care Citations is Underway”
Dementia Care Expertise for Health Care Providers 