Below you'll find a list of all posts from September, 2016
It goes without saying that every nursing home needs a plan for dealing with resident wandering. But how detailed should your plan be? And what factors should it take into account? If you’re involved in the operation of a home, you’ve likely spent countless hours considering these questions. You’ve probably read tragic stories about missing dementia patients and found yourself
The number of patients who need chronic care is on the rise. If you work in healthcare, you know what this means. It means more people battling lengthy illnesses, and increased overcrowding in acute care wards and emergency rooms. But what if it doesn’t have to be this way? What if a different approach to managing chronic disease can reverse
We all know that hospital readmissions are bad for the healthcare system. They negatively impact government budgets and strain facility resources. Worse, they decrease quality of life for the patients involved. Unfortunately, readmissions are all too common. According to a recent study, 1 in 12 Canadian patients is readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of being discharged. Those with chronic
More than ever before, patients are receiving health care at home. But providing these services has become increasingly complicated. The population is aging, and complex care needs are on the rise. As providers adapt, home care technology is stepping in to fill the gaps. With the right technology, home care professionals can find and use health information more efficiently. They can improve team coordination
Caregiving can take a lot out of a person. If you have a parent with complex care needs, you may feel like you’re constantly pressed for time. Planning for the medical and care needs of a loved one is an often-overlooked stressor for caregivers. Complex care needs can make the process especially challenging. When a parent is diagnosed with several
Doctors, nurses, and medical specialists. Pharmacists. Paid caregivers and loving family members. These people are critical to the wellbeing of complex-needs patients. Together, they form circles of care. Now, more than ever, we’re aware of the importance of relationships in medical treatment and caregiving. These connections provide more than compassion and support. Strengthening them leads to better coordination and more responsive
Do you work for a facility that provides care for older adults? If so, you’ve probably seen some of your residents grapple with loneliness. Luckily, by watching for symptoms of social isolation, you can help nip these feelings in the bud. Whether you’re a facility operator, manager, or hands-on caregiver, you probably got into the business to improve lives. And it’s certainly
Treating patients with complex care needs at home isn’t easy. Often, it takes a whole team of caregivers and medical practitioners. The word “team” is critical here. If you’re involved in providing this type of care, you’re aware of what can happen when communication becomes fractured. Poor health outcomes for patients is one consequence. Increased hospital readmissions and unnecessary strains
Seeing changes in an elderly parent age can be a difficult, and even alarming, experience. Perhaps dad’s bills are piling up, and he’s neglecting things he once took pride in. Maybe mom’s forgetfulness is starting to look like a precursor to something more serious. Suddenly, the roles you and your parent have always played are reversed. You’re the caregiver, and
