A Major Business Booster: “Solving Problems Calmly”
In our imperfect world things can and will go wrong. It is simply the nature of our existence. Sometimes, even in small-scale assisted living programs things can sort of “bum-rush” us. Maybe in one-day you have multiple events that test your patience, professionalism and soundness of mind. I can recall 2 deaths in one morning […]
In Home Care My Job Never ‘Black and White’
In 1995 I served my first client in home care, Mr. William Schlotta. Within a few days I knew that my role was more than just staffer, staffing supervisor or even case manager. My role was first and foremost that of friend. Immediately I began to ask myself what I would need to make myself […]
Can a Business Have Self-Worth?
There is no shortage of professionals who offer tons of advice on helping us all to add more value to our existence or to the way we view ourselves. That advice may be of significant value for many. With the absence of a healthy self-worth comes abuse of self, others, neglect of self and others […]
Get Me Some Residents…Now!
Oh so goes the mantra of many smaller assisted living program owners. Some seem to scowl at the thought of not having residents at the level they desire or at least the cash flow a certain number of residents would create. Some of this rather demanding disposition comes through louder from the mouths of providers […]
Playing the ‘Personality Game’ Can Ruin You Inside
Community based care providers can tell you stories shared among one another about occasions when they prepared for an initial or renewal licensing inspection by a regulator. It is not unusual to hear, “oh my he’s tough”, “oh my she’s unfair”, “oh my he’s difficult”. Pretty soon well-meaning, highly competent providers of community based care […]
Families Must Guard Finances to Extend ‘Care Preferences’ Longer
In my numerous years in long-term care I have witnessed several battles between siblings over a parent’s money. Yes I have even encountered those who were more focused on what could be saved for their inheritance than on what could be spent to keep mom and/or dad happy in their final years. I have even […]
Care Providers Should Work Not to be ‘Hit and Run’ Artists
More than you might think, lots of care is paid from from the pockets of the recipients. With strict financial requirements for Medicaid qualification and numerous services not directly Medicare reimbursed, including adult day care and around-the-clock private duty care in a person’s home, many opt to pay for what they want and need. This […]
The Things Care Providers Can Learn from Bar Rescue
It happens to be a television reality show I had never heard of which is unfortunate considering it had its debut in 2011. Oh well we cannot be expected to keep up with every aspect of pop culture. Its called Bar Rescue and its a concept that has quite a bit of depth. A gentleman […]
Smaller Group Home Operations Can be Both Profitable and Meaningful; if…
Spending the morning with the operator of a SE Michigan group home was indeed a rewarding experience. I know this runs contrary to what some believe or have heard about group home operations but this small, assisted living program is indeed the exception. How so? First it serves the medically fragile elderly including at least […]
Tough Love Not Always Optional
No sane person sits around anxiously awaiting the day when they have to make decisions that restrict our parents and their daily routines. We grow up observing and learning from our parents’ decisions and independence. However, more often than we care to confess that time comes when failing memory or other declining aspects of their […]