It is no secret that the number of healthcare professionals needed for the tsunami of baby boomers is far from adequate. The recently released Facts and Figures from the Alzheimer’s Association states that there are currently less than 1% of registered nurses, physician assistants, and pharmacists who confirm that they specialize in geriatrics. Geriatricians alreadyContinue reading “New and Unique Nursing Program Provides Valuable Post-Acute Experience”
Tag Archives: acute care
Pre-Admission Assessments Help To Help Eliminate Resident Discharge/Evictions
Resident discharge or “evictions,” is a complex issue, no doubt. I write this without blaming any party – the point is to determine what we can do in the long-term care industry to decrease the occurrence. I am encouraged by the many comments on my initial post as it means others care as well, noContinue reading “Pre-Admission Assessments Help To Help Eliminate Resident Discharge/Evictions”
How To Fail at Everything in Life
While I recently wrote about choosing to be a “complainer” in your work or choosing to be proactive, I simply have to share with you some wisdom passed along to me from an 18 year old man. Why an 18 year old would pay attention to something like this is beyond me, but I guessContinue reading “How To Fail at Everything in Life”
Medications, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: Consider Comfort and Quality of Life
Families and healthcare professionals question medication use for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia, especially due to the media coverage about the overutilization and potential dangers of antipsychotics and other medications. It is important to investigate potential causes of symptoms or behaviors and identify what can be done before resorting to medication. SometimesContinue reading “Medications, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: Consider Comfort and Quality of Life”
Customer Service? Not Exactly…
While I’ve written about customer service before, a friend’s recent experience prompts me to write again. My friend, Amy, was asked to help find a facility for a relative with memory loss. This relative had been diagnosed with dementia some years ago and needed more care than could be provided at home. Amy spent countlessContinue reading “Customer Service? Not Exactly…”
Leading Systems Change in Health Care – Why Efforts Fail
Leading change is not easy and 50-70% of change efforts fail. Leaders, directors, project managers, program, coordinators and others are looking for strategies to move programs and projects forward, to manage change, in challenging times and circumstances. They seek to develop a deeper understanding of how to overcome their individual and organizational challenges and barriers. Continue reading “Leading Systems Change in Health Care – Why Efforts Fail”
Helping Staff Cope During The Holidays
In a perfect world, we would all approach December with great anticipation, thinking of that Norman Rockwell Christmas gathering, the opening of beautiful gifts surrounded by a loving family, all followed by a picture-perfect holiday dinner. No doubt, we all strive to provide a meaningful and memorable holiday season for ourselves and our families. OurContinue reading “Helping Staff Cope During The Holidays”
Change AGEnts: Building Momentum for Change, Improving Care of Older Adults
The 2015 John A Hartford Foundation Change AGEnts Conference, “Making Connections, Building Momentum for Change,” will be held on December 1 – 3, in Philadelphia. Robert Schreiber, MD of Harvard, Hebrew Senior Life, and I will be facilitating a course on Leadership and Culture Change, as well as a session on Kotter’s Eight Step ProcessContinue reading “Change AGEnts: Building Momentum for Change, Improving Care of Older Adults”
Customer Service Transforms After A CEO’s Personal Experience
A recent article* about a hospital CEO elevates him to hero status, and his willingness to share his experience deserves attention. The point is he was willing to share a very personal experience about the customer service during his mother’s hospital stay, and how it transformed his own hospital. Upon spending time with his motherContinue reading “Customer Service Transforms After A CEO’s Personal Experience”
Communication, Inclusion Benefit Staff Satisfaction and Turnover
Much has been written about common themes that are important to staff, as found in numerous staff satisfaction surveys. Most themes relate to being respected and heard, included in daily operations and decisions, and appreciated. All are such simple and basic requirements, and all can be addressed if administrators and managers create a culture byContinue reading “Communication, Inclusion Benefit Staff Satisfaction and Turnover”
Dementia Care Expertise for Health Care Providers 