The Leading Edge: The Importance of Great Landings
Employees Matter: Dealing with Problems Immediately
News You Can Use: The Nation’s Cheapest LTC Options
Just for Fun: A Get Well Message Jun 01, 2009
Solutions
Great Landings:
How to End the Workday in Style
In last month’s issue, we discussed “great take-offs” in healthcare; so as an extension to that topic, we’ll now cover the importance of “great landings”.
While some of us just can’t flee the workplace fast enough at the close of the day, in that mad dash out the door you might be leaving behind a jumbled, disorganized mess that puts you (and/or the next shift) behind before you even get started the next day.
If you want to make a fast break at the starting gate tomorrow, it’s all about having that great landing. By simply investing 15 – 20 minutes at the end of each day, you won’t have to waste any time trying to get into the daily groove the next day. Take note of the following tips:
Always leave things looking better. Before your shift ends, make sure your area/station is clear of all clutter. If certain supplies are out or running low, make sure you replace them or put in an order. Try to always abide by the rule of making your area look the same or better than what it looked like when you arrived.
Jot it down. How many times have you thought that there was no way you could forget to do a certain task, only to remember it two to three days later?! You can help eliminate such blunders by jotting down notes with the day’s last thoughts, actions, or tasks, so you can pick up easily where you left off.
Confirm appointments and meetings. Avoid any possible miscommunications by confirming the next day’s appointments and meetings by e-mail, voicemail or both as necessary.
Do a final check. Take a last scan for new email and voicemail messages that could impact the next day’s plan. Change the outgoing message on your voicemail to reflect the date and your availability based on your plan. Callers will appreciate knowing when they will next be able to reach you or when to expect a call back.
Using this “landing” checklist will help you start productive work habits and master each day. Just think how much less stressful your evenings and weekends at home will be when you know everything back at work is under control!
“Good ideas are common - what's uncommon are people who'll work hard enough to bring them about”
—Ashleigh Brilliant
Got a Problem? Don’t Ignore it!
It’s unfortunate, but problems exist in every workplace. And although most problems vary in size and scope, they all have one thing in common: they must be addressed. No matter the type of difficult situation in which you find yourself, dealing with it is a must. Simply put, your situation won’t get better; in fact, left unaddressed, it usually gets worse. Unaddressed, problems and conflicts usually just quietly simmer, that is, until they reach a boiling point and erupt in your face at the workplace. That’s why it’s far better to address the situation immediately while you can maintain some objectivity and emotional control.
Here are some productive ways you can quickly and effectively address problematic issues at work.
Look in the mirror first. It’s not a good idea to address a problem by pointing fingers and blaming others. Always start with self-examination to determine if the problem is the result of something you have created and can resolve on your own.
Talk with someone you trust. Brainstorm with trusted colleagues on ways to address the situation. It is often difficult to objectively assess your options, so confiding in someone who can give you honest answers is critical.
If applicable, approach the person with whom you are having the problem for a private discussion. If the problem you are dealing with involves another person, talk to them about what you are experiencing. Be pleasant and agreeable as you talk with the other person. They may not be aware of the impact of their words or actions on you. They may be learning about their impact on you for the first time. During the discussion, attempt to reach agreement about positive and supportive actions going forward.
Reflect. Once you have addressed and resolved the problem, make sure you take time to reflect. Once your emotions and feelings of anxiety are out of the way, you will be better able to assess the situation and think about everything that led up to the issue/problem. This type of reflection will help you to foresee and prevent similar types of problems if/when they arise in the future.
Although we can’t always control problems at work, we can usually control how they are addressed and handled. By addressing problems head-on and in an efficient and objective manner, you will find that you can effectively tackle any issue before it turns into a full-fledged disaster.
“No problem is so formidable that you can't walk away from it.” —Charles M. Schulz
Midwest States Offer Cheapest LTC Options with Most Choices
Americans seeking affordable long-term care options will find the Midwest offers the most choices at the lowest cost, while Northeast and West Coast states generally offer fewer affordable alternatives, according to findings of a national Cost of Care survey released by Genworth Financial.
Genworth's 2009 Cost of Care Survey, conducted by CareScout, covers more than 14,000 nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health and adult day healthcare providers in 331 regions across America. According to the Choice & Affordability Index, the top 10 states for nursing home care availability and choice include:
The cost of care in a nursing home or assisted living facility continues to rise at a rate nearly twice that of the median annual inflation rate of 2.3% over the same period of time, measured using the Core CPI (which excludes food and fuel) reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The annual cost for a private nursing home room is $74,208, or $203 per day, representing an increase of 4% annually since 2005. At this rate, the cost is expected to exceed $270,000 a year in 30 years, when the nation's youngest baby boomers will be in their mid-70s, according to Genworth. The annual cost for a one-bedroom unit in an assisted living facility is $33,903, excluding any one-time community or entrance fees, a 5% increase annually since 2005. The cost for this type of care is forecasted to exceed $220,000 in 40 years, when the youngest baby boomers will be in their mid-80s. There are approximately 4,000 adult day healthcare centers in the U.S., according to the National Adult Day Services Association. The daily cost for this type of care is $53.59 nationally, or $12,862 per year, assuming five days per week of care. Full results of Genworth's 2009 Cost of Care Survey, including the Choice & Affordability Index, an interactive map of the cost of care in all 50 states and 331 geographic regions, is available online at Genworth.com/CostofCare.
“In the future we'll all have 15 minutes of fame and 15 minutes of healthcare.”
—Nicole Hollander
Get Well Message
A motorcycle patrolman was rushed to the hospital with an inflamed appendix. The doctors operated and advised him that all was well. However, the patrolman kept feeling something pulling at the hairs on his chest. Worried that it might need a second surgery the doctors hadn't told him about, he finally got enough energy to pull his hospital gown down enough so he could look at what was making him so uncomfortable.
Taped firmly across his hairy chest were three wide strips of adhesive tape, the kind that doesn't come off easily. Written in large black letters was the sentence, "Get well quick..... from the nurse you gave a ticket to last week."
