Merrill Gardens’ Post

The Nursing Home Staffing Crisis can best be described as a long, slow, sudden collapse. Decades in the making - this crisis has been brewing since at least the 1990s - and only now, post pandemic with 140,000 lost workers since 2020 and the start of the Baby Boom Generation hitting 75, this crisis has finally gone mainstream, with new mandates, and court challenges and finger wagging all around. Surrounding all this chatter, however, is one simple fact; We have failed; the collective, decades-long dysfunction and repetitive in-fighting among various factions has resulted in an an entire sector incapable of attracting and retaining workers. When asked by a stranger at a party what they do for a living, most nursing home employees hedge their answer: I’m a nurse. I’m a nursing assistant. I’m in healthcare management. Unlike other healthcare workers we leave out the “where” for fear of getting “the look”, the one that says - “Oh. God. Why do you want to do that.” It’s one more hit. One more injustice. Historically, low pay,meager benefits, the lack of growth opportunities, and chronic understaffing (Catch-22 anyone?) are the most cited reasons for this never ending staffing crisis. But it cuts deeper, and has more to do with the the unintended harm inflicted upon nursing home workers by an entire ecosystem which has transformed nursing homes into the most hated, feared and misunderstood industry in America. These harms, taking the form of Moral Injury and Psychological Trauma, come at us from all sides, small slights at parties, direct attacks in the media; being asked to do 12 hours of work in an 8 hour shift; being told to prioritize check box documentation over connecting with residents; internalizing failure based on poor surveys, impossible goals and unrealistic expectations; agonizing over largely unpreventable accidents….and on and on it goes, for decades… The good news is this: There is a way out, but it doesn’t lie in old myths and tired tropes…. It starts by First, Doing No Harm. ….Stay tuned for more in the coming days. Meanwhile check out some of the leaders forging new paths in employee wellness: Jean Hartnett Angie Gray Angela Derks 💚 Wellness Advisor Laura Putnam

Guide to assisted living The facilities can look like luxury apartments or modest group homes, and can vary in pricing structures. Assisted-living facilities occupy the middle ground of housing for people who can no longer live independently but don’t need the full-time medical supervision provided at a nursing home. They might be right for those who have trouble moving about, bathing, eating or dressing, or who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  They are staffed with aides who can help residents take a shower, get out of bed, get to the dining room, take medications, or help with other daily tasks and needs. The monthly costs generally range from $3,000 to $12,000 . The costs of care plans are based on how much assistance the facility thinks residents will need. Facilities often have nonrecurring initial charges, like move-in fees or “community fees.” If you’re considering multiple facilities, ask about the ratio of residents to aides — on nights and weekends as well as days — and whether there are licensed nurses in the building, and when they are there. https://lnkd.in/gBf6e3we

Nursing Homes are outdated, right? 🙄 I recently had the pleasure of being approached by Kennedy West Vastgoed B.V. to create a concept for one of their projects. What made this opportunity even more exciting was that it's centered around a care concept 🙂❤️ . Earlier in my career, I contributed to several 'care concepts', including eef.nl for Syntrus Achmea Hypotheken The Vision Behind Olivia (wonenbijolivia.nl) 🌟 Kennedy West envisions that Olivia will catalyze the real estate market, freeing up more homes. Many properties are currently owned by seniors who are ready to downsize but hesitate due to fears of change, financial insecurity, and emotional attachment. They worry that moving is a lost! However, with concepts like Olivia and Eef, when seniors make the move, their homes become available for starters and families who need the space and can revitalize these properties. Benefits for Everyone 🤝 Seniors moving into Olivia can enjoy a vibrant community where care needs are met in collaboration with care institutions. Olivia isn’t just for seniors; it's a dynamic environment where people at different life stages live together. It's a place where social cohesion thrives, and support comes from being part of a community. Key Features of Olivia: 🏠 Safety: A protective, reassuring, and reliable environment. 🙏 Inclusivity: Everyone is welcome, diversity is embraced, and unity is celebrated. 🤝Community: A connected space where sharing, pride, and support are integral. 💖Quality of Life & Wellbeing: A focus on health, joy, and overall wellbeing. Nursing homes are a relic of the past. We need care concepts that don't just house seniors but create communities where people can live happily together. Why I Founded Concepts by Jones 💡 This is why I founded Concepts by Jones. I want to encourage developers to think beyond just 'building' to address space shortages. Instead, let's create spaces that solve societal issues and enhance human happiness. Real estate is about emotion! Join the Conversation 🗣️ I'm excited to dive deeper into 'Concept Development in Real Estate' in an upcoming webinar. If you're a real estate/project developer, architect, investor, or simply interested in innovative real estate solutions, please fill out this short Google Doc poll (https://lnkd.in/g8KA5_Kb) to express your interest. If there's enough interest, I'll schedule it soon! 📅 #realtydevelopment #seniorliving #communityliving #carehomes #homeownership #propertyinvestment #inclusivehousing #modernhousing #socialcohesion #homecare #realestatetrends #propertymarket

🔍 Trend Watch 📈 Google Trends reveals significant differences in popularity for Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Nursing Home keywords. Over the past 12 months: "Nursing Home" searches were 59% more popular than "Assisted Living." "Assisted Living" searches were 500% more popular than "Independent Living." These trends offer valuable insights into consumer interests and should be monitored for businesses to adapt to shifts in the senior living industry. How do you interpret these trends? Share your thoughts! #SeniorLiving #NursingHomes #AssistedLiving #IndependentLiving #HealthcareTrends #ElderlyCare #GoogleTrends #MarketInsights #SeniorCare #AgingPopulation

Exploring the Differences in Two Rewarding Careers – FRESHRN As someone considering a career in healthcare, you may find yourself torn between two options: becoming a registered nurse or a social worker. Although both professions involve working closely with people in need and can be highly rewarding, there are key differences between them. In this blog post, we will delve into the similarities and differences to help you understand social work vs. nursing. If you’d prefer to watch a video of this content, click play below! Social Work vs. Nursing: Similarities Flexibility Both social workers and nurses enjoy a wide variety of work settings and roles, providing numerous opportunities … Read More » As someone considering a career in healthcare, you may find yourself torn between two options: becoming a registered nurse or a social worker. Although both professions involve working closely with people in need and can be highly rewarding, there are key differences between them. In this blog post, we will delve into the similarities and differences to help you understand social work vs. nursing. If you’d prefer to watch a video of this content, click play below! Social Work vs. Nursing: Similarities Flexibility Both social workers and nurses enjoy a wide variety of work settings ...

3 Assisted Living Facts VS Myths 1. Assisted Living equals Nursing Home Myth Assisted living communities help with activities of daily living. examples: getting dressed, taking a shower, using the bathroom, these things may be to hard for someone to do only and could even be dangerous. You also have other wonderful amenities; house keeping, 3 meals a day, 24/7 cares staff, medication management. Nursing Homes are there for help with more serious health concerns. Chronic health issues that would require around the clock care from medical professionals. 2. I'll be stuck in the community all the time. Myth Most Assisted Living communities offer transportation. This could come in different forms, such as scheduled outings to go shopping, lunch or dinner in the city, or even to Doctor appointments. You also still have the choice to bring your own vehicle and come and go as you please. 3. There is no privacy Myth Assisted Living communities offer different floor plan for you to choose from and you furnish and decorate it the way you would like. You still are able to have visitors and you have a key to lock your apartment. Also, staff won't enter your apartment without letting you know.

Why become a Vascular Access RN (PICC Nurse)? One of the benefits of being a Vascular Access RN is the potential for flexible work hours. Unlike traditional hospital or nursing home roles that often follow set schedules, many #vascularaccess #registerednurse positions offer the option to work three 12-hour shifts, providing a condensed workweek. This schedule allows for longer stretches of time off, giving you more flexibility and the opportunity to balance your personal life and commitments. Working three 12-hour shifts per week can provide several advantages. It allows for extended periods of rest in between shifts, providing ample time for relaxation, self-care, and spending quality time with loved ones. Additionally, having consecutive days off can make it easier to plan and enjoy activities, pursue hobbies, or maintain other personal and professional commitments. The condensed workweek of three 12-hour shifts also offers potential financial benefits. With a concentrated work schedule, you may be able to save on commuting expenses and potentially have more energy and focus during your shifts. However, it's important to note that the specific hours and scheduling arrangements may vary based on the employer and facility. It's advisable to inquire about the scheduling options during the interview process to ensure alignment with your preferences and lifestyle. Dynamic Access #registerednursejobs #milwaukee #daytonohio #indianapolis #bronxny #spokane #seattle

Are you confused about what an assisted living facility is, and how it differs from a nursing home? And what you can expect to pay? Here’s a guide to this type of housing for older people. Maybe at home care from Senior Helpers is a better answer!

I’m challenging Skilled Nursing Facilities to self-assess their proactive approaches for exceeding CMS standards across different F-Tags. For my first challenge, let’s assess your Resident Rights (F550) readiness. Start by asking yourself a few questions. Think about your training compliance program. What type of training or inservice education does your facility’s staff receive about Resident Rights/Exercise of Rights, and how often does this training take place? How do you routinely monitor staff’s compliance with completing resident rights training? Consider your residents. How are your residents routinely monitored for complaints or concerns regarding resident rights? Do you have a guardian angel/advocate program? How do residents have their rights explained to them? Take a walk through tour of your facility. How many doors or privacy curtains did you need to close during the tour to protect the privacy and dignity of a resident? How long does it take staff to respond to call lights? Observe some direct care (when appropriate). Do staff explain the care they are providing to the resident? Are your residents included in conversation? Did staff provide care in a manner that preserves the preferences of the resident? Check in on your dining room during meal time. Are your staff assisting residents with feeding in a dignified manner? If a resident requests their meal but trays are not yet ready, does your staff offer fluids or an alternative while they wait? Look back at your resident grievances and reportable incidents for the last 12 months. Are there patterns of complaints regarding dignified care, such as how residents are spoken to or how they are provided privacy? Is there a pattern of residents not being offered choices that meet their preferences? Is there a pattern of complaints related to accessibility to communication or to internal/external services? The requirement described in F550 states in part, “The resident has a right to a dignified existence, self-determination, and communication with and access to persons and services inside and outside the facility”. How do your findings from this self assessment align with this requirement? Finally, think about your current QAPI program. Do you have ongoing PIPs that relate to any of the concerns that you identified during this assessment? If yes- why did the existing PIP fail to address the concern? If no- how can you use a PIP to improve your current compliance with resident rights requirements? Which member of your team would be held accountable for meeting the goals of the PIP? How can you support the successful integration and outcome of the PIP? Please, interact or share if you or someone in your network would find this useful! #nursinghomes #nursinghome #skillednursingfacility #skillednursing #cms #healthcareadministration #healthcarequality #healthcareexcellence #healthcarecompliance #residentrights #ftag #f550 #qapi #healthadvocacy