A look at Germany’s intriguing long-term care system
I was in Berlin, Germany, last week and did some research into their long-term care system during my visit. I was curious about how it might be different or similar to ours, given the country’s national healthcare program. Briefly, the German system has public and private healthcare insurance options and 100% of the population has...
The Minister for Loneliness in LTC
The Minister for Loneliness in LTC According to researcher Julianne Holt-Lunstad of Brigham Young University, loneliness has a greater impact on health than smoking 15 cigarettes daily, or obesity, which is associated with 300,000 to 600,000 deaths a year in the United States alone. In England, the “loneliness epidemic” has reached such proportions that they’ve...
The last-minute guide to trauma-informed care
The last-minute guide to trauma-informed care With trauma-related F-tags beginning in less than two weeks, many providers have spent months training their staff and feel quite prepared to manage this sensitive aspect of resident mental health care. For those who might not be completely ready for the Nov. 28 start date, I offer below some...
If toileting were a billable service …
If toileting were a billable service … The other day over lunch a colleague said to me, “Imagine how things would change if toileting were a billable service.” I laughed, briefly considered that fanciful notion and continued eating my meal. As I gave the idea further reflection, however, it might not be as laughable as...
McKnight’s FREE Online Expo 6/20/19
I’ll be speaking about Behavioral Health in Senior Living at McKnight’s free Online Expo at 11am ET on Thursday, 6/20. To register for the virtual Expo, see the info below. McKnight’s Online Expo, FREE, Thursday June 20th Earn 3 Free CEUs at 3 Free webinars Finally, a virtual trade show just for senior living professionals!...
The added value of social workers and psychosocial services
Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The added value of social workers and psychosocial services The top recommendation in the April 9 McKnight’s article “Researchers share 6 tips to improve nursing home care for blacks and Latinos” was to include a social worker on staff in the facility. “Great,” a reader commented,...
How to quit like a shrink
Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: How to quit like a shrink Employees leave their positions for many reasons — organizational restructuring, family needs, a better offer — and they exit their jobs in a variety of different ways. Some sneak out quietly so that their coworkers find out only after they’re...
Severely mentally ill residents: A ‘perfect storm’ creates a SNF wave
Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Severely mentally ill residents: A ‘perfect storm’ creates a SNF wave Long-term care facilities are admitting more residents with longstanding psychiatric illnesses. Such individuals enter the nursing home for physical rehabilitation but are difficult to discharge back to the community due to their mental health needs,...
Healthcare changes that burn me out — and burn me up
Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Healthcare changes that burn me out — and burn me up I was recently required to take an online training module on burnout for physicians and allied professionals. It was the first time in 20-plus years that I’d received a formal message about self-care from any long-term...