I have witnessed hundreds of times in nursing homes how a seemingly incoherent person can come alive during a performance. Anecdotal and observational evidence of the healing power of music abound. But now science is catching up. (Check this article at CNN about musicÛªs therapeutic value.) The article states, “Music...
Tag: nursing homes
CMS Five Star – Friend or Foe?
PentaStar Collaborative published a survey of 356 nursing home administrators on the CMS Five Star Rating System and how they felt it would effect their facilities. Find the survey here. Two items stood out for me. When asked what effect their rating would have on the perception of their facility...
Guest Blog in Long-Term Living Magazine
Read and view our guest blog in Long-Term Living Magazine.
Better Training Needed for Activity Directors
Activity directors in nursing homes are a special group but just like nursing homes some are better than others. Perhaps it has to do with training. More than likely perhaps it has to do with whether they have a real affinity and love for seniors.
Study Reports Nursing Home Satisfaction at Its Highest Level
The 2008 National Survey of Consumer and Workforce Satisfaction in Nursing Homes released today by independent research firm My InnerView shows a majority (85%) of consumers report their nursing home satisfaction as either “excellent” or “good.” Sixty-six (66) percent of employees recommend their facility as a place to work as...
AT&T Testing Technology to Aid Fall Prevention
AT&T is experimenting with telehealth devices and a communications network that might reduce falls in the home. One of three people over 65 fall each year. Almost a third of these accidents require medical treatment, and 10% result in serious injury or death. Nursing homes experience a fall a day...
AT&T Testing Technology to Aid Fall Prevention
AT&T is experimenting with telehealth devices and a communications network that might reduce falls in the home. One of three people over 65 fall each year. Almost a third of these accidents require medical treatment, and 10% result in serious injury or death. Nursing homes experience a fall a day...
Music Therapy Aids Dementia and Alzheimer’s Victims
My mission with seniors started when an avocation for singing turned into an advocacy for older adults. I still perform in facilities and use songs in my keynotes. I know firsthand the value of music therapy on dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. This NYT article validates it. When looking at a...
Pet Therapy in Nursing Homes
I came across this “obituary” for Boo. Boo was a therapy dog who made 3,000 visits to nursing homes during his career. Pet therapy is just one of many ways to be of service not just this week, National Nursing Home Week, but all year round. Let’s just hope that...
New Bill Would Protect Senior Citizens from Scams, Fraud and Abuse
Three Congressional representatives have introduced a new bill to protect senior citizens from scams, fraud, and abuse. The bill would give state and local governments more resources to combat elder abuse. Some measures included in the bill: Establish an Elder Justice Coordinating Council to coordinate activities of the Federal, State,...