Being a caregiver is stressful. Whether you are a paid professional caregiver or a family member caring for a loved one, managing stress is important in maintaining your own well being and helping you be the best caregiver possible. The Alzheimer’s Association identifies the following 10 symptoms of caregiver stress: (more…)
This week a Tuesday Tip subscriber asked us for clarification on assisting residents with PRN medications. This is a common area of confusion for providers and caregivers. Fortunately this is addressed in RCFE Regulation 87465, which clarifies that the amount of assistance that can be provided and when the physician must be called is based on the resident’s ability to communicate his/her symptoms and/or need for the PRN medication. (more…)
According to the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing 25-50% of older adults living in the community suffer from persistent pain. Are you effective managing pain in your residents? (more…)
A Tuesday Tip subscriber recently asked whether she could admit a resident who is already receiving hospice services into her RCFE. The short answer is, yes, as long as you have your hospice waiver. (more…)
More than one third of adults 65 and older fall each year in the United States. Falls are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. (more…)
It is becoming increasingly common for residents and their families to hire privately paid caregivers to provide additional companionship and services to residents living in an RCFE. This type of arrangement raises many questions, including this one that we received from a Tuesday Tip subscriber: (more…)
(Adapted from www.usda.gov)
Assistance with meals is an important part of the care and services provided in an assisted living or residential care Community. Understanding the “danger zone” of food temperatures is a critical part of ensuring safe food handling. The following is adapted from the USDA Fact Sheet “Safe Food Handling”: (more…)
Last week we reviewed the California RCFE requirements for updating resident appraisals. This week we turn our attention to the Physician’s Report and Service Plan. (more…)
Did you know that hands-only CPR has been show to be as effective as “conventional” CPR in emergencies that occur at home, work, or in public? The American Heart Association still recommends conventional CPR on some situations, such as for infants and children. Learn more at ww.handsonlycpr.org.
We are frequently asked about how often to update a Resident Appraisal. California RCFE regulation 87463 “Reappraisals” clearly states that the pre-admission appraisal shall be updated “as frequently as necessary to note significant changes and to keep the appraisal accurate.” (more…)