April 16, 2013
I was hoping not to have occasion to write another column about tragedy so soon, but the terrible events at the Boston Marathon on Monday compel me to focus on the amount of information we provide to residents about distressing outside events.
March 29, 2013
As we learned during Sandy, it's essential to know where residents will be evacuated and to have protocols to account for everyone's safety. Connect with facilities in your community about where they are evacuating, so you can ensure there is adequate room.
March 01, 2013
Just as Hurricane Katrina prompted discussion about emergency preparedness in 2005, Superstorm Sandy has re-ignited talks in the senior living communities about their ability to respond to disasters. When storm surges hit New York City last October, about 6,000 people were evacuated from various healthcare facilities, including nursing homes and adult day facilities.
December 05, 2012
Although Hurricane Sandy-related news coverage has been plentiful, no one has focused on the crucial role the supply chain played in ensuring that healthcare providers could continue to serve patients and residents.
November 26, 2012
A big part of a disaster management plan is asking how your facility will communicate with families, residents and staff.
November 16, 2012
Nursing home residents with severe dementia suffered a staggering increase in their mortality rate after evacuations from their facilities ahead of a natural disaster, according to a new study.
Students returned to classes Wednesday at a New York City high school where more than 200 nursing home evacuees still reside.
Paul DiViesti's search to find his grandmother after Hurricane Sandy has a happy ending.
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, American Dryer Corporation is working with its local equipment dealers to help businesses get their washers and dryers functioning as quickly as possible.
November 13, 2012
I'll let you in on a secret: Most of the time, the long-term care business press is, if not always on your side, at least sympathetic to your plight.
November 08, 2012
The residents of four New York City-area adult health care facilities, who were not evacuated for Hurricane Sandy, were forced to move Tuesday before a new storm hit the area Wednesday. State and city health officials said three nursing homes and an adult care center in the Rockaways coastal section were being emptied of staff members and more than 600 residents before the nor'easter hit.
November 07, 2012
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, long-term care facilities may be wondering how to help their own residents, families, and staff members or those directly affected by this devastating storm.
The typical long-term care resident requires eight or more medications daily. So with Hurricane Sandy ripping through the pharmaceutical corridor last week, many operators were rightfully concerned about possible medication shortages. The good news is that most drug firms appear to be getting back on their feet quickly
November 06, 2012
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued blanket waivers that include skilled nursing providers. That means long-term care facilities in New York and New Jersey hit by the storm are authorized to process certified bed increases, and that certain data transmission requirements, such as those for the MDS, will be waived.
November 05, 2012
We humans tend to be creatures of habit. Most of us like to develop daily routines and stick with them. This approach has its benefits. It saves a lot of time that would otherwise be wasted sorting out mundane matters.
November 02, 2012
Several facilities on the East Coast have lost power and the use of back-up generators
October 30, 2012
As waves pounded the Eastern Seaboard on Monday due to Hurricane Sandy, long-term care facilities put their disaster response plans to work.
