In a recent article published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, postoperative delirium in older adults continues to challenge the medical profession. As caregivers, we often miss the signs of delirium in our residents unless there has been a significant event such as surgery. It is important to remember that delirium can occur without a major event …
Scenario: Scheduled risk assessment visit at assisted living center; call from Executive Director “We are dropping like flies, can we reschedule?” Yep, the dreaded flu has hit with a vengeance! Per the CDC more than 1,300 people have already died from conditions worsened by the flu so far this season and there have been at least 2.6 million flu illnesses …
We all have heard the joke “blame mom”, “it was mom’s fault”, but according to a recent study at the University of Michigan, you can blame mom for exposing you to stress as a child! Yep, the research (done on roundworms) found that experiencing stress early in life may make you better able to fight stress you might encounter later …
Arbitration agreements are a hot topic in our industry. Many residents and their families may think of arbitration as waiving their right to a jury trial if there is a claim, but there are many benefits to them. In this podcast Christina Nechiporchik, Staff Attorney at HealthCap talks with Andrea DeLand, HealthCap Risk Manager and Manda Ayoub, Pomeroy Living’s COO …
Depression has long been known to cause negative outcomes for our seniors and many suffer in silence, never seeking the support and assistance they need. As caregivers we often identify depression in our residents; however, many families will deny it is an issue and refuse psychiatric evaluations. Sure, depression is a mental illness however it is one of the most …
Researchers have known for a while that blue light has benefits over traditional white lighting for improved circadian rhythms. Studies have also concluded that blue light boosts alertness and cognitive function as well as elevating mood. An Australian lighting company (Versalux Lighting Systems and Monash University) recently unveiled a new lighting system that allows facility operators to customize blue light …
A recent article published in McKnights Long-Term Care News, referenced a study performed at the University of Michigan on the impact on resident outcomes with longer stays in post-acute care centers. The study indicates that The researcher recommends that post-acute care providers be “really judicious with the volume of services they provide and conclusive of which of the post-acute care …
Omissions of care (OOCs) in nursing homes contribute to nearly 60% of all adverse events experienced by residents. However, researchers and clinicians have yet to develop a concise definition of OOCs with a particular focus on their causes and consequences. Without such a definition, assessing and preventing OOCs in nursing homes to improve resident outcomes is challenging. The Agency for …
We have all heard about, talked about or participated in post-fall huddles hoping to improve outcomes for our residents. A recent study conducted by BMC Health Services has identified that post-fall huddles may reduce the risk of repeat falls. Staff who participate in post-fall huddles are likely to have positive perceptions of teamwork support for fall-risk reduction and safety culture …
