Long term care gets kind of short shrift in our health care system, and on this blog too. Which is a pity as it’s really important. Joe Anglelli from The Pioneer Network writes to me telling us about a new report by two Brown University professors about the issues.
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Nearly three years ago a colleague and I thought that applying lean engineering technology to long term care might improve care and general outcomes for residents. I have seen the best and worst in LTC facilities as my parents lived in them for extended periods.
There is such enormous potential for improvements in delivering the right care at the right time. The industry does not understand lean or the cultural change it brings and it seems there is little appetitie to explore it. So disappointing.
Lean could make Mr. Lon Kieffer’s life easier and the outcomes in his facility better for residents. I should like to talk with him or others that are interested in changing and improving resident care.
Andrew F. Masson
I remember when I decided to “step down” into the long term care industry. That’s how I viewed the move at the time. I gave up my fast ride up the Acute Care ladder for the “stability” of long term care as my family went through a transition.
Little did I know how complex and difficult this industry truly was; and even more so now then when I made the switch. LTC has become the cog in the machine of healthcare; we do everything no one else can do! Whether it be end of life; extended acute care; transitional- hospice- or respite care the LTC industry is the glue that holds the whole thing togethor.
I have learned so much from the people in this industry! This industry has changed so much and so fast in my tenure I have truly become an expert in Workplace Culture Change. I can not think of a more challenging, and rewarding, arena of healthcare.
Eleven years later and no regrets. As we say in my Center; “we are Blessed, not Depressed!” to do this important job on a day in day out basis!
Is there a long term care insurance that will pay a child or chilren to stay at home if there parent or parents become physically incapacitated. Thanks
I agree. This is an extremely important issue. I’m truly puzzled at how little attention the issues that surround LTC receive in the media and in the public consciousness.
The truth is that this part of the overall health care challenges facing us has more potential for disaster than perhaps any other. The baby boomer genration has gone through their whole lives making a huge impact on every industry that affects them as they grow older, and the long term care industry will be no different.
That is why the government has been making efforts to end abuse of programs such as Medicaid, which is only designed for those with very low incomes and assets, by such measures as the Deficit Reduction Act that makes gaming the system by more wealthy individuals very difficult.
Why? Simply because there is no way that programs like Medicaid or Medicare can even begin to handle the skyrocketing costs of LTC when the boomers begin to need custodial care.
And yet, most Americans have done very little to prepare themselves and provide for their own care. In fact, less than 10% have purchased LTC insurance at this point. And since Congress is stuck in a mire of do-nothing legislation, this issue is a runaway train heading for the American economy.
I invite everyone to get more familiar with the challenges presented to us all by LTC and help raise the public awareness while we still have time to make significant positive changes.
Duane Lipham, CLTC
http://www.ltcconsumerguide.com