WCO Blog

This month we meet Melanie Fischer. Melanie Fischer has worked in healthcare for the past 19 years.  She originally needed a summer job when she was in high school and applied for a housekeeping position at Ellis Good Sam.  Melanie enjoyed the position, but wanted to do more to help the residents she served. Her […]

Hate your job? You’re not alone.  But with the job market the way it is, finding a new one might be a lot easier said than done. In the meantime, there are things you can do to learn to love your job. Even while you’re on the hunt for a better gig, finding ways to […]

iPads are not only hip; they’re also helpful in memory care. That’s right—iPads have actually proven to help with cognitive skills, mobility and communication for those who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. We all knew Steve Jobs was a brilliant man of his time, but we’re not sure that even he knew how smart […]

Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you’re like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, seasonal affective disorder causes […]

When hospice services are brought into assisted living facilities for older residents with terminal illnesses, problems can arise. Good communication between families, hospice staff, assisted living staff and paid caregivers (if they’re part of the picture) can make all the difference and minimize the potential for conflict. How can you make sure this happens? Educate […]

Nurses are busier than ever with both the routine tasks and the increasing roles of facilitating medical teams and fostering better communications. Coordinating tasks and relationships is a challenge, so to that point, what are three best practices for making your life easier and your service more satisfying? I (Margery Pabst) like to find easy […]

Mental Health Practitioners should take note of two realities about elder abuse: a large majority of elder abuse is perpetrated by family members, and the average victim of elder abuse is an older women between 75 and 80 who is living alone, and as a result of isolation and loneliness can entrust the wrong individuals […]

The holidays are a chance for you to kick back, relax and spend time with your loved ones, laughing and just enjoying each other’s company. It can also be a time that you indulge just a little too much when it comes to eating. Don’t let food and drink temptations ruin all of the progress you’ve […]

According to research from the Calorie Control Council, the average American may consume more than 4,500 calories and a whopping 229 grams of fat from snacking and eating a traditional holiday dinner with turkey and all the trimmings. And these figures don’t even include breakfast or the late evening munching on leftovers! The average holiday […]

This month we meet Patsy Cline Patsy Cline has been in the healthcare field for 25 years.  She was originally attracted to the field by her love of working with patients and her desire to make a difference in people’s lives. Patsy lives in Wichita, Kansas with Jack, her husband of 51 years.  The Clines have 3 […]

Why shop at a farmers market?   Farmers markets are easy to find.   Use the USDA Farmers Markets Search  to find one near you. Due to their flexible locations, some community farmers markets provide fresh, healthy foods when other sources aren’t as easily accessed. Learn more about how the USDA helps to expand healthy […]

Food is more than fuel. The enjoyment of dining with friends and family offers social benefits that are essential for holistic health. Sharing meals is an especially important aspect of wellness for seniors, because loneliness is “one of the most serious obstacles to good nutrition,” according to this press release from Home Instead Senior Care. […]