In this episode, host Debbie Stadtler, sits down with Aimee Middleton, chief operating officer at the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society to discuss the critical role of organizational culture in long-term care. They dive into the indicators of a thriving company culture, its impact on recruitment, retention, quality, and costs, the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and maintaining a positive culture across different generations in the workforce.

Perspectives in Long Term Care is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, host Debbie Stadtler, sits down with Zakiyo Jackson, nursing home administrator at Walter B. Crook Nursing Facility. Together they discuss diversity, equity and inclusion in long term care. They delve into the nuances of DEI at the leadership level, exploring challenges and strategies for enhancing inclusivity within organizations. From tackling obstacles with innovative approaches to fostering a more inclusive environment, this conversation offers valuable insights for leaders in the long-term care industry.

In this episode, host Debbie Stadtler, sits down with Teepa Snow, dementia care specialist and occupational therapist. They discuss the crucial support required for individuals experiencing brain change and the transformative journey of dementia care, common misconceptions surrounding dementia and the need for training and education among healthcare workers, the needed communication skills, and the future landscape of dementia care in the next 10 or 20 years.

Perspectives in Long Term Care is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, host Debbie Stadtler, sits down with Deb Bielek, the therapy, education, and programs resource with Ensign Services. They chat about the changing landscape of therapy services within long term care facilities, how these services touch so many different parts of senior care, how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Section GG affects therapy services, the importance of collaboration and teamwork among facility leadership, nursing staff and managed care case managers, and where the profession is headed in the next decade. 

In this episode, host Debbie Stadtler, sits down with Stan Szpytek, president of Fire and Life Safety Inc., to discuss emergency preparedness in long term care facilities. They chat about lesser-known situations that long term care facilities need to prepare for, creating an all-hazards plan, the importance of communication, training, and common challenges facilities have when implementing emergency plans. 

In this episode, host Debbie Stadtler, sits down with Jennifer Thompson, executive director at Lifespark Senior Living, to discuss technology and innovation in long term care facilities. They chat about the latest technology in electronic medical records, wearable technology, artificial intelligence and how it can be used in your community, virtual reality and its applications in caregiving, and the pros and cons of robots. 

In this episode, host Debbie Stadtler, sits down with Glenn Van Ekeren, president at Vetter Health Services, to discuss leadership in long term care facilities. They chat about leadership principles, growth and development; company culture; identifying future leaders within an organization; and workforce challenges in long term care.

In this episode, host Debbie Stadtler, sits down with Maryruth Butler, director of quality and integrity at Cascadia Healthcare, to discuss quality management in long term care facilities. The two chat about her career journey in long term care, strategies that have proven instrumental in elevating the quality of care and services in Cascadia Healthcare centers, prioritizing improvements, and the role of teamwork and collaboration.

This episode is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, host Debbie Stadtler, sits down with Paula Adams, a 30-year senior care industry veteran, to discuss population health management in assisted living. The two chat about her career journey in long term care, the importance of assisted living providers to shift to managed care, the benefits and challenges of managed care, and how to communicate a shift to population health management.

This episode is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, host Debbie Stadtler, sits down with Maureen Cahill, CEO and administrator at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center, Iowa, to discuss industry-wide workforce shortages. The two chat about her career journey in long term care, the difference between nonprofit and for-profit care communities, workforce challenges and how to put together a successful recruiting plan, minimum staffing requirements and its impact on nonprofit facilities, and the future of the long term care industry.

Show notes

AHCA/NCAL has additional resources mentioned in this episode to help tackle workforce challenges:

Workforce and Career Resources: https://www.ahcancal.org/Workforce-and-Career/Pages/default.aspxahcancal

Get involved in advocacy efforts: https://www.ahcancal.org/Advocacy/Pages/default.aspx

The National Quality Award program: https://www.ahcancal.org/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/default.aspx

Guest bio

Maureen Cahill has been a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and CEO of Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center, since October of 2008. She has over 26 years experience with for profit, not for profit, stand alone and CCRC homes. In 2018, she completed a Master of Jurisprudence from Drake Law School and received her MBA in 2000. Is certified as Professional in Aging Services Risk Management. 

She has facilitated two major construction projects from fund raising through construction and operation.  The first project was completed in 2014 and replaced 32 SNF beds. The second project was a 40 unit assisted living building completed in 2019. 

She received the Bronze and Silver Quality Awards and has applied for the Gold Quality Award. Maureen implements best practices and shares results of efforts with peers. She has been available to colleagues as a resource for regulation compliance and quality implementation.  

She is the current president of Iowa Health Care Quality Partners, which is Iowa Health Care Association’s network.

The podcast is produced by Association Briefings.