LTC Heroes - A podcast on Long Term Care, Senior Living, Senior Care & Skilled Nursing Facilities – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we have a thought-provoking conversation with Jill Vitale-Aussem, President and CEO of Christian Living Communities. Jill provides a refreshing perspective on senior living. She shares her insights on redefining the approach toward aging and senior care, with a specific focus on dignity, purpose and the well-being of residents.

Key Takeaways:

(03:16) Discovering your passion can significantly influence your career path and professional journey.

(10:12) Jill’s journey to leadership in the senior living industry is driven by a passion for transformative change.

(17:33) Embracing life’s ‘bright spots,’ or small victories, is crucial, especially during challenging times.

(26:57) The importance of meaningful engagement and relationship-building in senior living communities is paramount.

(33:28) Overcoming systemic challenges in senior care requires deep introspection, breaking molds and rethinking paradigms.

(42:02) The hospitality model in senior living has its flaws; meaningfulness and purpose are crucial.

(57:51) Transformative change involves shifting perceptions about aging and reframing approaches to senior living.

Resources Mentioned:

Jill Vitale-Aussem - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-vitale-aussem/ Christian Living Communities - https://www.linkedin.com/company/christian-living-communities/ The Eden Alternative - https://www.edenalt.org/ Being Mortal by | Atul Gawande - https://atulgawande.com/book/being-mortal/

We appreciate you listening, and we are motivated by your feedback. Visit LTCHeroes.com to learn more about us and head to LTCHeroes.com/community to join our exclusive Facebook group for nurses and our exclusive LinkedIn group for long-term care owners. We look forward to seeing you inside the community.

Sponsored by Experience.Care

This episode is brought to you by Experience.Care, the only long-term care EHR backed by guarantees.  

Your profitability is our priority and your compliance, our cause. Since 1969.

Get your profitability consultation today at Experience.Care/guarantee. Our website is .Care for a reason. We care about your care. Visit us at Experience.Care.

#seniorliving #longtermcare #seniors #seniorcare

On this episode, we speak to Claudia Blumenstock, Founder and CEO at Copernicus.

Key Takeaways:

(1:04) Feedback from staff and leaders on challenges they face.

(3:29) The need for leadership training at all levels of the organization.

(6:55) Addressing communication challenges among leaders and staff.

(7:47) Strategies for improving communication skills.

(11:08) Unique recruitment approaches, including hiring for personality fit.

(12:22) Challenges faced by leaders who are constantly putting out fires.

(15:57) The importance of involving staff in the interview process.

(17:11) The need for courageous decision-making and spending money to address turnover.

(21:38) The importance of transparency in leadership.

(28:26) Reflecting on personal fears and transparency.

Resources Mentioned:

Copernicus Inc.

We appreciate you listening and we are motivated by your feedback. Visit LTCHeroes.com to learn more about us and head to LTCHeroes.com/community to join our exclusive Facebook group for nurses and our exclusive LinkedIn group for long-term care owners. We look forward to seeing you inside the community.

Sponsored by Experience.Care

This episode is brought to you by Experience.Care, the only long-term care EHR backed by guarantees.  

Your profitability is our priority and your compliance, our cause. Since 1969.

Get your profitability consultation today at Experience.Care/guarantee. Our website is .Care for a reason. We care about your care. Visit us at Experience.Care.

#seniorliving #longtermcare #seniors #seniorcare

On this episode, we speak to Scott Berube, Nursing Home Administrator at De Luna Health and Rehabilitation Center. Topics discussed include:

- Scott’s journey to long-term care – from working in the Navy to becoming a nurse after a force reduction in 1994.

- His transition into long-term care and the realization of the importance of caring for residents.

- The desire for career growth that led him to branch into administration.

- How his attendance at the FHCA annual conference allows him to learn new things and meet new people – especially the younger generation in the industry.

- The importance of caring for his employees and helping them during challenging times.

- Being fair and consistent in his leadership style.

- Taking control of challenging situations rather than letting the situation control him.

Resources mentioned:

Scott Berube - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-berube-b7617022b/ De Luna Health and Rehabilitation Center -https://www.delunahealthrehab.com/

Florida Health Care Association - https://www.fhca.org/

We appreciate you listening and we are motivated by your feedback. Visit LTCHeroes.com to learn more about us and head to LTCHeroes.com/community to join our exclusive Facebook group for nurses and our exclusive LinkedIn group for long-term care owners. We look forward to seeing you inside the community.

Sponsored by Experience.Care

This episode is brought to you by Experience.Care, the only long-term care EHR backed by guarantees.  

Your profitability is our priority and your compliance, our cause. Since 1969.

Get your profitability consultation today at Experience.Care/guarantee. Our website is dot care for a reason. We care about your care. Visit us at Experience.Care.

#seniorliving #longtermcare #seniors #seniorcare

Change Management in LTC

In this episode of the LTC Heroes podcast, Annette Greely, President and CEO at Jones-Harrison Residence, shares her experience of improving LTC facilities through effective change management.

She says that although some LTC facilities look good on paper, you need to enter those facilities with “eyes wide open,” taking an honest look at what needs to be improved. She shares how she addresses change with leaders that are stuck in their ways by finding a balance between pushing them in the right direction and respecting where they’re at.

Improving Culture at LTC Facilities

Annette describes the importance of involving all parties affected by the change from the beginning and supporting them to stay accountable so that the changes can last.

She notes that cultural change happens when there’s buy-in from management, and even more importantly, when lower-level staff truly understand the “why” of making certain culture changes.

Annette also shares why change management leaders need to be transparent with their decisions so that all organization members understand why the changes are necessary. She closes the episode by discussing how having flexibility as a leader leads to more effective outcomes for those you are leading.

Learn more and sign up to be notified about future episodes at LTCHeroes.com

Rapid Fire Q/A:

What kind of valuable and actionable advice do you expect we’ll cover in today’s episode?

Annette: I think what we're going to talk about is change management. I don't think we ever really use the language in our industry, but that is an essence of what we are doing when we're always managing and looking at system changes.

What is one lesser-known resource, book, or newsletter that you go to when you want to be up to date on LTC info?

Annette: I really read everything. And I think that's the way to do it. I like reading things, even outside of our industry, that might be talking about our industry to give us a different perspective.

Who is one mentor who has influenced the way that you do care in our industry?

Annette: I don't really pick just one person. I feel like people come and go through our careers and I pick the best parts of multiple people.

If you were going to start over in LTC with the knowledge you have today, what advice would you give to your younger self?

Annette: Don't be afraid to make decisions that people might not like. Because if you're going to be a leader, you're going to be in that position, you're going to make decisions people don't like and families don't like and as long as you're doing it for the right reason, hold your ground.

Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annetteg7/

Good to Great - Jim Collins

7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey

Checklist Manifesto - Atul Gawande

LTC Care Coordination

In this episode of the LTC Heroes Podcast, Barbara Klick, CEO at Sholom Community Alliance, shares her expertise around care coordination and effective leadership in acute care and LTC.

Barbara discusses how her business knowledge paired with her clinical experience allows her to balance high-quality clinical care with meeting financial objectives. She explores the importance of aligning with an organization’s values as a CEO and highlights the emphasis that Sholom puts on honoring elders and the impact of forgiveness.

She dives into what it takes to improve care coordination in LTC and points out that leveraging community resources can play a big role in supporting this cause.

Barbara also talks about how we can add meaning to our elders’ lives by allowing them to share their knowledge and skills with younger community members.

Strong Leadership in LTC

Barbara discusses why adaptive leaders are needed now more than ever, and also shares the importance of embracing culture and forming strong relationships within your organization as a leader.

She closes the episode by encouraging leaders and staff members to be transparent about what they know and don’t know, and to be willing to ask for help when needed.

Learn more and sign up to be notified about future episodes at LTCHeroes.com

Rapid Fire Q/A

What actionable or valuable advice do you think we will cover today about the long-term care industry?

Barbara: I'm going to provide a window into post-acute care, or perhaps even a bridge for some of you.

What is one lesser-known book, resource, or newsletter that you would recommend I look into to better understand long-term care?

Barbara: LeadingAge’s national website.

Name one mentor or somebody in your life who's inspired you or has had an impact on the way that you approach care?

Barbara: Gayle Kvenvold. She is the president of the LeadingAge Minnesota chapter.

What advice would you give your younger self going into acute care now, knowing what you know after working in both sides of care?

Barbara: My younger self was more oblivious to the fragmentation of care in acute care. So knowing what I know now, I would have paid more attention to handoffs, relationships, partnerships, and other collaborative opportunities.

Resources:

https://www.leadingage.org/

https://www.sholom.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-klick-rn-mba-a6497a7/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayle-kvenvold-8432a932/

Healthcare Interoperability

In this episode of the LTC Heroes Podcast, Scott Stuewe, President and CEO of DirectTrust, shares his insight on improving interoperability for the healthcare industry and LTC facilities.

He describes the current approaches to interoperability, what needs to change, and the ongoing challenges the healthcare system faces in this regard.

Scott points out that the LTC industry is behind in their interoperability efforts due to facilities not being obligated to integrate these kinds of solutions. It’s also because EHR vendors previously haven’t been building interoperability capabilities for these facilities.

Components of an Ideal Interoperability Solution

He outlines the steps LTC facilities can take to enhance interoperability, from implementing simple inbox solutions to more complex integrations.

Scott talks about the work at DirectTrust and how they’re able to create a trusted information exchange ecosystem. He explains that an ideal interoperability channel contains efficient and curated referrals, organized notifications, streamlined workflows, and enhanced usability.

He closes with how DirectTrust plans to create differentiation in the messages their network handles to help information receivers behave differently for the purpose of more LTC interoperability success.

Learn more and sign up to be notified about future episodes at LTCHeroes.com

Rapid Fire Q/A

What valuable or actionable advice do you expect we'll cover in today's chat?

Scott: I'm really hoping people understand that there are really inexpensive, quick, and easy ways to achieve interoperability for long-term care organizations.

What is one lesser-known book, newsletter, or industry resource that you recommend I go to for a better understanding of the long-term care industry?

Scott: Jerry Seelig’s Newsletter called ‘Revitalize.’

Name one mentor or influencer in your life that has inspired you for the work that you do in the long-term care industry?

Scott: I had the pleasure of working for the founder of Cerner Corporation, Neil Patterson. I found him very remarkable in terms of visibility to see where the industry was going, and actually to influence where the industry would go.

If you were to start all over again in interoperability today, knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your younger self?

Scott: I would just have to tell myself to relax and be patient.

Resources:

DirectTrust.org

2021 DirectTrust Summit

Scott.Stuewe@directtrust.org

Revitalize Newsletter

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottstuewe/

Senior Care Advocacy

In this episode of the LTC Heroes Podcast, Steve LaForte, Director of Corporate Affairs and General Counsel at Cascadia Healthcare, talks about his experience of successfully growing post-acute and senior housing facilities.

Steve shares his passion for advocacy and the need to shift public perception of senior care facilities in order for seniors to access the care they need and deserve. He explores the need for change in the senior care industry and how the pandemic can act as a catalyst for positive change.

Embracing Value-Based Care

He describes the importance of embracing value-based care and why senior care facilities should partner with regulators in order to strike a balance between delivering quality care and meeting regulatory requirements. The mantra of “people over paperwork” will be crucial as the care landscape continues to change.

Steve also points out that the key to growing health systems is to find the right talent and leadership who can make the facility a real force for good.

He closes this episode by reminding us of the social commitment we have to our seniors and what we need to do to deliver on our promises to them.

Learn more and sign up to be notified about future episodes at LTCHeroes.com

Resources:

• https://skillednursingnews.com/
  
• Thom Walsh
  
• Pema Chodron
  
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevelaforte/
  

Nursing Home Regulatory Challenges

In this episode of the LTC Heroes Podcast, David Hoffman, President and Founder of David Hoffman & Associates, sits down with us to share his insight on overcoming the regulatory and care delivery challenges associated with nursing homes and other LTC facilities.

With many years as an attorney under his belt, David shares his experience working on negligence cases, leading regulatory efforts, and discusses why aggressive oversight of this industry is a must to ensure proper care for residents.

Nursing Home Staffing and Residents

David describes why once money becomes the main motivator for these facilities, they look at areas to cut costs, and the first place they look is staffing. As a result, these facilities are understaffed and the residents are the ones that pay the price.

David outlines why care facilities need to focus more on outcomes from the residents’ point of view instead of simply looking at the care they’re providing. With the right teamwork, this can happen while still balancing documentation requirements.

In order for real change to occur, David says we need to reduce the tension between the regulator and the regulated. He suggests better communication is the best place to start.

He closes the show by challenging us to consider the issue of ageism in our society and what we can all do to show more compassion to our elders.

Learn more and sign up to be notified about future episodes at LTCHeroes.com

Rapid Fire Q/A

In today’s chat, what kind of valuable and actionable advice can LTC lovers and listeners expect to learn from you today?

David: I’ll be providing your listeners with a better understanding of the nursing home industry in terms of a regulatory construct, why it's so highly regulated, and what the impact of that regulation is currently and going forward.

What is one lesser-known book, newsletter, or industry resource you go to for up-to-date LTC info?

David: The Office of Inspector General’s Work Plan.

Name one mentor in the LTC industry that is active on social media or LinkedIn that inspires you and that the rest of us should be following because of their contribution?

David: I clerked for a judge both in state court and in federal court named Anthony J Scirica. He taught me an important lesson, which is to be a good listener and that there are two sides to every story.

If you were to start working tomorrow in the LTC industry, but with the same knowledge and wisdom you have today, what advice would you give to your younger self?

David: I think that the focus on compliance with regulatory requirements is a two-way street. I would focus on how to have a better approach in the relationship between the regulated and the regulators.

Resources:

Office of Inspector General: Work Plan

https://www.dhoffmanassoc.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hoffman-jd-fcpp-7467a43/

On this episode of the LTC Heroes Podcast, KJ Page, Executive Director of Chaparral House joins us to share her experience of working as a preceptor for aspiring Nursing Home Administrators.

KJ discusses some of the challenges for Administrators, including the fact that many don’t have a clinical background. This ultimately motivated her to become a preceptor so she could share her nursing knowledge alongside her administrative experience with AITs.

She walks through the stages of becoming an administrator from the initial assessment all the way through certification. She explores the reasons people want to be an Administrator and how their “why” can change over time. This is important to truly consider and reflect upon before committing to this path.

KJ shares her insight on the qualities that make a good administrator and how she helps AITs further develop these qualities. She also discusses the government measures for Functional Status Decline and what Administrators should be doing to maximize reimbursement and quality of care.

She wraps this episode by sharing what she has learned from working with AITs and provides some helpful advice for aspiring AITs.

Learn more and sign up to be notified about future episodes at LTCHeroes.com

Resources:

https://www.chaparralhouse.org/

On this episode of the LTC Heroes Podcast, Lisa Grod, Owner of LWG & Associates, sits down with us to share her vast knowledge of helping skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) bring on new administrators and the associated challenges.

Lisa discusses what it takes to be authentic in your daily work, and how to help maintain a high quality of life for seniors and the staff that works so hard to care for them.

Lisa describes the details of her work as an Interim administrator and consultant, sharing the importance of gaining buy-in from SNFs in order for real change to occur. She also talks about how her experience in gerontology influences her ability to help SNFs provide the best quality of care.

She gives specific examples of how she accomplished lasting change in facilities and points out the personality traits that make a good administrator. Lisa suggests that being able to receive feedback and reapply it for better results is a huge indicator of success for an administrator.

To close out the episode, Lisa recommends that SNFs be honest about their problems and be willing to take accountability moving forward.

Learn more and sign up to be notified about future episodes at LTCHeroes.com

Resources:

Wooden On Leadership - John Wooden

lawgrod@gmail.com