Close up image of a caretaker helping older woman walk

When I first heard about McKnight’s “Online EXPO,” I was really intrigued. The idea of being able to investigate and navigate through so many vendors without leaving my desk was refreshing. So, I took off my shoes, put on the tea, brought out the donuts and enjoyed myself.

This two-day event was unique, as billed. The virtual conference hall was easy to move through and I got my RNAC and executive director involved in a couple of the conference selections. I was able to download what I felt might be useful to other staff and what I might want to reference again at a later time.
I especially thought the conference “New Data Tools For Market Analysis” education session was informative. It highlighted where construction is currently and where market concerns exist.
Opportunities were reviewed and that gave us all something to think about. Half of all metropolitan properties are over 30 years of age – and half of all freestanding are over 32 years of age. Private mix is declining and there continues to be competition for the other product types.
Apparently, the nursing home sector is still the 800-pound gorilla of our industry. Opportunities include strategic alignments, investing in professional marketing/sales staff and developing organizational cultures
that create customer loyalty.
Bottom line: Bring our main focus back to the resident. Isn’t that what we’re all about?
Thanks for a job well done. I hope you do it again — very creative and time- effective for me. Kudos to all !

Karen Schwoerer RN
Director of Nursing
Souderton Mennonite Homes
Souderton, PA

McKnight’s Online Expo: ‘Definitely do it again’

The recent Online Expo was a really nice change from typical, on-site seminars. Not having to travel – and being able to sit at my desk while seeing and hearing the same type of information was refreshing. Definitely do it again – I can see this expanding in size, scope and popularity.

Paul Spence
VP Marketing
Covenant Methodist Senior Services
Chicago, IL

Expo an ‘innovative
way to interact’
Thanks for developing an innovative way to interact with my peers, receive educational programming, and review the latest resources from industry vendors, all while sitting in my office!
The Online Expo was easy to maneuver and provided useful information in day-to-day operations!

Anthony G. Fountain
President/CEO
Westminster Towers Senior
Living Community
Rock Hill, SC

Other professionals seek seat at leadership table

I just read the recent issue of McKnights Online (McKnight’s Daily Update, posted at www.mcknights
online.com Feb. 21, 2007) announcing the formation of the LTC Professional Leadership Council.
I applaud this effort to bring together the key administrative leaders in nursing home care. The newly formed council represents ACHCA (administrators), AMDA (medical directors), ASCP (consultant pharmacists) and NADONA (directors of nursing). I would like to recommend an additional and very important member of the LTC leadership team, namely, the nurse practitioner.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are an integral ingredient in the provision of quality healthcare for older adults in LTC. Although they are not in an administrative role, they are experts in evidence–based nursing care and consistently role-model that care to staff. NPs provide LTC sick/urgent visits, provide preventative care, and perform regulatory visits and staff education. Numerous studies consistently report high satisfaction and effectiveness ratings for LTC facilities with NPs.
As our nation ages, the need for NPs will continue to increase. NPs assess acute changes in residents before it becomes an emergency and can frequently prevent hospitalizations.
Our healthcare environment must modify regulations and expand
reimbursement to encourage NP
participation in more LTC settings. My vision for an NP in every LTC setting is the first step in providing the type of quality care and positive outcomes that all LTC leaders are committed to.
I am the current president of NCGNP (National Conference of Gerontological Nurse Practitioners). We are the only professional organization representing advanced practice nurses caring for older adults in America. NCGNP is also a member of the recently formed “Advancing Excellence in Nursing Homes in America” campaign. I would love the opportunity to offer the expert participation of NCGNP in the LTC Leadership Council.

Anna Treinkman
President
National Conference of
Gerontological Nurse Practitioners
Pensacola, FL