Resident Care

Incontinence and associated skin care

Martha Sparks, PhD, GCNS-BC, NGNA Fellow There are four types of urinary incontinence (stress, urge, overflow, functional) and multiple types of Read More »

Top 10 clinical innovations in LTC

Clinical innovations in long-term care might bring to mind invasive procedures and/or pharmaceutical interventions. At least that's how it used to Read More »

Prepare to prevent infectious outbreaks

Jane Kirk, RN, MSN, CIC Sherrie Dornberger, RN, CDONA, FACDONA Have you ever been at a meeting or conference and overheard someone say, “We have Read More »

Does HIT really affect outcomes?

Ingrid Johnson Serio, RN, BSN, MPP Traveling to a foreign, non-English-speaking country can make for a wonderful adventure-if you traverse the Read More »

Culture change drives CHOICES

Photo by Rick Friedman Server Amy Laroche presents a tray of tempting delicacies to Villa Crest residents. Read More »

NYC art museum offers tours designed for people with dementia

The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is projected to increase as the Baby Boomers continue to age. Over the years, giant steps in Read More »

Feeling the fire of SNF PPS rule

The final SNF PPS rule for FY2012 published in August will cause all operational professionals to stop and think about their implementation plans for Read More »

Residents reconnect with the soil at LA Jewish Home

Susan Leitch meets with residents. At the Los Angeles Jewish Home’s Goldenberg•Ziman Special Care Center (G•Z), everything’s comin’ Read More »

National MDS 3.0 training call recap

Wow, we are closing in on one year of using the MDS 3.0 and are finally getting the “hang of it” with all the changes that occurred with its Read More »

MDS 3.0 report offers expert lessons, tips for success

Just a year ago, skilled nursing administrators across the nation were scrambling to prepare for the October implementation of MDS 3.0. To offer Read More »

One year later: Administrators speak out on 3.0

Last August, Long-Term Living gauged the mood and outlook of four administrators as they readied their teams for one of the largest operational Read More »

Begin with a circle…

AnnaMarie Barba (third from left) and residents relax and socialize in the comfortable Summer House lounge. The heartbreaking, yet gradual, Read More »

New approaches to wound care

James G. Spahn, MD, FACS Pressure ulcers are a significant problem across all healthcare settings in the United States. Annually, 2.5 million Read More »

Tool of change and challenges

This time last summer, skilled nursing providers across the country were in the throes of planning for the October implementation of MDS Read More »

Using the MDS 3.0 to promote culture change

My great-grandmother suffered from Alzheimer's disease. I say she suffered because she was what was referred to as a “yeller,” often calling out and Read More »

Rehabilitation: Then and now

As an LTC professional since 1975, I have seen the pendulum swing, sway, get stuck in place, fall off and even be nonexistent at times. In 1980, I Read More »

Accommodating bariatric residents

Betty Markway, RN, MSN Yishih J. Chang, MSIE, CQE, CPHQ Donna Mehrle, MPH, RD, LD When it comes to providing care for long-term care (LTC) Read More »

Recreation therapy and MDS 3.0

Linda Buettner PhD, CTRS/LTR, FGSA In the months leading up to the implementation of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0, and since the time of its Read More »

Take control of incontinence

Facility staff empathizes with the pain and discomfort of the resident with incontinence, but they frequently do not have the opportunity to discuss Read More »

Fall prevention programs receive a new review

Fall prevention strategies have been paid a fair amount of scientific attention as of late. Last month, I wrote on this blog about two researchers Read More »

The comfort of bedside dialysis

When a resident requires dialysis, it can be an emotional and logistical nightmare. Not only does the resident have the inconvenience and discomfort Read More »

A year later: LTC providers speak out on MDS 3.0

This time last year skilled nursing facilities across the nation were in the throes of gearing up for the implementation of MDS 3.0 in October. Read More »

What your team needs to know about the COT OMRA

At the end of July, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the “Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Read More »

Widowed resident soars like an eagle

Photo courtesy of Manni Dwyer Eagle’s Trace, an Erickson Living community in Houston, Texas, is home to a very adventurous Read More »

A resident’s day trip

When my Mears cousins invited me to a family reunion in 2008 I wanted to go. But it was 70 miles away from the nursing home and I had not traveled Read More »

LTC nurses focus on infection prevention

Top-down and bottom-up approaches to facility infection control and prevention programs are an evolving force in culture and practice. During an Read More »

Prepare for a rise in Alzheimer’s and dementia

Recently, the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association released new guidelines for Read More »

Mouth care: Reducing resistant behaviors

More elders are entering long-term care with their natural teeth, and those who develop dementia will require Read More »

Rehab with Heart

The educators (from left): Karla Reese, OT; Barbara Bliss, AD; Theresa Schultz, RN, DCD; and Sue Kocin, RD, LD. Theresa Schultz is Read More »

Seniors get a boost from the Girl Scouts

In Holtsville, New York, many churches, along with community civic and social organizations, have found extra closet space thanks to Girl Scout Troop Read More »