No Fear of Heights: Ladders and Lattices for CNAs
Senior contributor Joanne Kaldy talks to Claire Enright, executive director, Quality Care Health Foundation, and Lori Porter, CEO and cofounder of the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) about advice they have for those looking to expand their career. (Source: Caring for the Ages)
Source: Caring for the Ages - April 1, 2024 Category: Health Management Source Type: news
Goals-of-Care Discussions: Is Your Team Conversation Ready?
Having meaningful goals-of-care discussions is vital for delivering person-centered care that aligns with each individual ’s unique goals, preferences, and priorities. These conversations can be difficult, and staff don’t always feel empowered or competent when talking with patients or health care surrogates about life-sustaining treatments. (Source: Caring for the Ages)
Source: Caring for the Ages - April 1, 2024 Category: Health Management Authors: Carolyn Kazdan Source Type: news
Clostridioides difficile: New Insights on Management in the Older Patient
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated infective diarrhea in the United States. According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) clinical practice guidelines, antibiotics are the standard-of-care treatment for CDI (Clin Infect Dis 2018;66:e1 –e48); however, 20% to 35% of patients who initially respond to antibiotics experience recurrent CDI, and up to 60% of these individuals experience additional recurrences (Clin Infect Dis 2012;55(Suppl 2):S154–61; Can J Hosp Pharm 2013;66(6):361–8). (Source: Caring for the Ages)
Source: Caring for the Ages - April 1, 2024 Category: Health Management Authors: James E. Lett, Cirle A. Warren, Glenn Tillotson Source Type: news
Recognizing Excellence Takes Center Stage
Post-acute and long-term care practitioners often wear many hats, and they keep their heads down and their eyes on the goal of the best possible care and quality of life for their patients. Those around them are equally busy, so there is little time for accolades. When theFoundation for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine started its awards program years ago, it was designed to recognize both the visionaries whom the awards were named after and the members of AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine who are paving their own way in PALTC medicine. (Source: Caring for the Ages)
Source: Caring for the Ages - April 1, 2024 Category: Health Management Source Type: news
Identifying New Funding Opportunities: How One Society Chapter Weathered the Pandemic
A typical chapter of AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine relies on membership dues and state conference revenue to maintain its level of services. But, as we all know, there are risk factors that we often cannot control. From estimating the number of exhibitors or attendees, the amount of sponsors hip income, or the impact of a deficit, the best hedge against these risks is to diversify your income streams so that in those years when the financial results are less than expected, the chapter has sufficient cash reserves to cushion the impact. (Source: Caring for the Ages)
Source: Caring for the Ages - February 27, 2024 Category: Health Management Authors: Ian Cordes Tags: AMDA in The States Source Type: news
American Assisted Living Nurses Association: The Best Hidden Resource for Assisted Living Nurses
As the demand for assisted living communities continues to rise, so does the need for competent and skilled nursing professionals to care for the older adult population residing in these communities. The American Assisted Living Nurses Association (AALNA) is a professional nursing association dedicated to promoting safe, effective, and dignified nursing practice in assisted living settings. With over one million older adults currently residing in assisted living communities, AALNA plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of these individuals and maintaining the highest standards of nursing care. (Source: Caring for the Ages)
Source: Caring for the Ages - February 27, 2024 Category: Health Management Authors: Mandy K. Curtis Tags: Partner Perspective Source Type: news
Reflecting on Death and Grief in the Nursing Home
When the first resident I ’d cared for at the nursing home died, I was overwhelmed with sadness. I was unsure what to do or what would happen next. Should I call her family to offer my condolences? I had only known Mrs. G and her family for three months, yet I had felt connected to them. During the frequent visits needed f or various medical complications, we talked about her long life, her children and grandchildren, and her previous stint on hospice after her first stroke a few years back. I had watched her gracefully break up an argument between other residents and persevere through the communication challenges tha t ...
Source: Caring for the Ages - February 27, 2024 Category: Health Management Authors: Collin Burks Source Type: news
Honoring Women Living in Long-Term Care
Working in long-term care (LTC), I have had the privilege of interacting with and caring for numerous extraordinary women. Today, one of my residents told me she is publishing a word-search for chronic diseases to help other residents who experience boredom or loneliness in LTC. Another resident with whom I discuss the new respiratory syncytial virus vaccine recounts her work as a public health nurse during the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome pandemic. Thes remarkable residents are just two examples of women in LTC who deserve a tribute. (Source: Caring for the Ages)
Source: Caring for the Ages - February 27, 2024 Category: Health Management Authors: Elena Cabb Tags: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Source Type: news
Don ’t Miss These Events
MARCH 9-11, 2024 (Source: Caring for the Ages)
Source: Caring for the Ages - February 27, 2024 Category: Health Management Source Type: news
In the Thick of It: How to Survive as a Caregiver of an Aging Relative
I am in the thick of it now, and honestly, I don ’t know how I am surviving. But the sun continues to rise every day and with it, brings new challenges and new responsibilities. (Source: Caring for the Ages)
Source: Caring for the Ages - February 27, 2024 Category: Health Management Authors: Elizabeth Galik Tags: Caring Collaborative Source Type: news
Medicare Quality Improvement Programs
A Medicare program aimed at improving quality among poorly performing nursing homes may have only minimal impact, a study found. (Source: Caring for the Ages)
Source: Caring for the Ages - February 27, 2024 Category: Health Management Authors: Jeffrey S. Eisenberg Tags: Journal Highlights Source Type: news
Reasons for Staff Turnover in Nursing Homes
Individuals who have spent less time in the field and who experience resident aggression are more likely to report burnout and fatigue, resulting in staff turnover, a study in Hong Kong found. (Source: Caring for the Ages)
Source: Caring for the Ages - February 27, 2024 Category: Health Management Authors: Jeffrey S. Eisenberg Tags: Journal Highlights Source Type: news
Leadership and Staff Turnover
The turnover among nurses in long-term care facilities may be lower when employees believe the facility ’s leadership is committed to worker safety, health, and well-being. (Source: Caring for the Ages)
Source: Caring for the Ages - February 27, 2024 Category: Health Management Authors: Jeffrey S. Eisenberg Tags: Journal Highlights Source Type: news
Fall Prevention and Liability in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Falls are the leading cause of injuries among nursing home residents. More than 25% of Americans over 65 years old sustain a fall annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As the number of older adults increases, the incidence of falls with both nonfatal and fatal injuries is also likely to increase. Apart from the toll on individuals ’ health and quality of life, the financial impact is staggering. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), by 2030 the financial costs related to falls may exceed $101 billion (“Get the Facts on Falls Prevention,” March 13, 2023, https://bit.ly/3U8...
Source: Caring for the Ages - February 27, 2024 Category: Health Management Authors: Alan C. Horowitz Tags: Legal Issues Source Type: news
My Loved One is Moving into Long-Term Care, but What Can I Do About Their Pet?
Daniel Haimowitz, MD, CMD, talks to Senior Contributing Writer Joanne Kaldy about what happens when a loved one goes into a facility but has beloved pets at home. (Source: Caring for the Ages)
Source: Caring for the Ages - February 27, 2024 Category: Health Management Source Type: news
