Nursing Home Blog
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Aging Solutions - Stay at Home. Stay Independent.
Posted on Fri, August 20, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Not surprisingly, the vast majority of older adults express a strong desire to continue aging in the own home. They spent years decorating their home so that the house reflects their personality. They have worked hard for many years to pay off the mortgage and be rid of these monthly payments. They have full control over who comes over to visit, when the visitors come over, and the length of the visit. A home is… Read More.
Nursing Shortgage to Worsen: How this Affects Nursing Homes
Posted on Mon, July 20, 2009 at 10:49 am
As you watch the news and read your morning newspaper, you are no doubt becoming increasingly aware of the fact that there is a nationwide and global nursing shortage. According to a 2002 Canadian Nurses Association survey, if utilization patterns remain the same, we can expect a shortage of 78,000 registered nurses in 2011, and 113,000 in 2016. As you consider the impending nursing shortage and its implications, most people are inclined to think only… Read More.
Can a Nursing Home Be Like the Garden of Eden?
Posted on Mon, July 20, 2009 at 10:42 am
If you ask the founder of the ‘Eden Alternative’, Dr. William H. Thomas, he would offer a resounding ‘yes’. But he would carefully qualify that with a big ‘if’: if and only if nursing homes make fundamental changes to the way they provide care. He suggests that we must shift our focus from the medical model, to a holistic approach in which we view and support the whole person (psychological, mental, social, and physiological). Such… Read More.
Canadian Nursing Homes overuse `Restraints`
Posted on Fri, March 20, 2009 at 5:18 pm
In a recent article in the National Post, we learned that while almost 30% of those in nursing homes and chronic care hospitals in Canada are restrained with, among other items, bed rails, lap trays, and lap belts, only 9% are so burdened in the United States, and just 6% in Switzerland. Although the rate has fallen in Canada from 40% in 1999 and we are moving in the right direction, the usage is still… Read More.
New Brunswick Nursing Homes Not Immune to Weak Economy
Posted on Fri, March 20, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Nursing home residents in New Brunswick have been on a roller coaster ride with nursing home fees; recently which had been rising, only to be drastically cut, now only to rise by nearly 20% again. Prior to January 1, 2007 the average fee for nursing home care in the province hit $143 per day per resident, which covered accommodations (room and board) and operational costs, including staff, services, administration, supply, equipment, infrastructure, and mortgage expenses.… Read More.
The Problem with Deodorizers
Posted on Mon, December 1, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Before choosing a nursing home, I strongly suggest that thorough tours of prospective homes are part of your due diligence. I also recommend that you print and take our Nursing Home Tour Checklist that is posted on this website (see Checklist on the sidebar). As you will see, there are many points to consider and items to examine that will never have crossed your mind. One such example is a home’s use of fragrant deodorizers.… Read More.
Why are Volunteers So Important to Nursing Homes?
Posted on Mon, November 24, 2008 at 11:04 am
How important are volunteers to your loved one’s nursing home? More important than you might realize. So important, in fact, that knowing volunteer numbers and ratios might even be a determining factor in your choice of homes. All nursing homes are staffed with an activity director and activity aides who are responsible for organizing everything from bingo games to tea socials to holiday functions. The problem can lie in the number of activity aides per… Read More.
Ontario is Trading Spaces
Posted on Sun, November 9, 2008 at 12:20 pm
The government of Ontario has introduced legislation that will make it easier for residents of different nursing homes to trade places if both parties agree to do so. For example, if Mrs. Smith resides in nursing home A, and Mrs. Brown resides in nursing home B, but Mrs. Smith's first choice is nursing home B, and Mrs, Brown's first choice is nursing home A, they can, according to the new legislation, simply switch homes. Consequently,… Read More.
Ministry of Health Reports on Nursing Homes.
Posted on Wed, July 9, 2008 at 11:17 am
On July 3, 2008 both the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail published articles by Chinta Puxley in which she describes the results of The Canadian Press’ investigation into Ontario Nursing Homes and their compliance with the Ministry of Health and Long-term care (MOHLTC) standards (otherwise known as the Nursing Home Act). The Canadian Press disclosed that the majority of nursing homes have violated some of the standards that are in place to protect… Read More.
Is it possible for those with Alzheimer's to live at home? Alzheimer's Home Safety Checklist .
Posted on Sun, July 6, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Older adults with Alzheimer's may be physically able to live at home independently, but their cognitive challenges can make it extremely dangerous. Fortunately, there are several safety precautions that family members can put in place to minimize the risk of accidents, and therefore delay or prevent nursing home admission. Use the following checklist as a handy guide ... - Install door locks in non-traditional places, for example at the top of the door. - All… Read More.
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