Industry Leadership

Presentations & Publications

Steven Posar, MD weighs in: cognitive decline

Steven Posar, MD, CEO of GuideStar Eldercare, weighed in on a recent JAMA study for McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. The study reported that high numbers of nursing home residents face cognitive decline following admission. “In long-term care settings, cognitive impairment will affect a majority of residents,” he said. With a dementia diagnosis affecting up to half up residents, he commented, “Each nursing home has to be set up with programs specific to this situation.”

GAPNA Chat with Dr. Steven Posar

GuideStar Eldercare Founder & CEO Steven Posar, MD discusses enhancing the quality of life for dementia patients by addressing behavioral and psychological symptoms with Dr. Cassandra Vonnes, DNP, GNP-BC, APRN,AOCNP, CPHQ, FAHA, a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner.

Annals of Long-Term Care: neurology-forward clinical model to improve BPSD

Research published by Steven Posar, MD, Anita Reid, APN, FNP-BC, GNP-BC, and Daniel Heiser, PsyD suggests that initiating both acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine as standard care could significantly improve BPSD outcomes, presenting a major quality improvement opportunity in long-term care settings. Annals of Long-Term Care (Jan. 2025)

JAMDA On-The-Go

GuideStar Eldercare Founder & CEO Steven Posar, MD shares insights on the recently published research about antipsychotic reduction in LTC. JAMDA On-The-Go | November 2023 | AMDA ON-THE-GO (podbean.com)

McKnights: Focus on Neurology Key to Antipsychotic Reduction in SNFs

A “neurology forward” approach “centers on treating people with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia from a neurology standpoint and not primarily a psychiatric disorder,” reports McKnights. Through collaborative research in three skilled nursing facilities, GuideStar Eldercare clinicians achieved a 68% reduction in use of antipsychotics. Read more in McKnights, Study: Focusing on neurology — not just psychiatry — helps cut antipsychotic use in SNF residents (Sept. 29, 2023).

JAMDA: 68% Reduction in Antipsychotics

Collaborative research led by GuideStar Eldercare clinicians demonstrates that an antipsychotic stewardship care model piloted in three Indiana skilled nursing facilities has reduced use of antipsychotics by 68%, as reported in JAMDA (Sept. 25, 2023), Antipsychotic Drug Reduction Through the Implementation of a Neurologically Oriented, Interdisciplinary Psycho-Diagnostic and Antipsychotic Stewardship Program.

A paradigm shift in treating the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia

An e-book by McKnights, (September 2023) explores the recent evidence-based paradigm shift in treating dementia as a neurologic disorder to reduce the use of antipsychotics in long-term care facilities. It features the interdisciplinary, neurology forward approach from GuideStar Eldercare.

New Concepts in Antipsychotic Stewardship

In this presentation delivered to Ohio Health Care Association, May, 2023, Steven Posar, MD, Daniel Heiser, PsyD, & James Shackson, MD, discuss the importance of differentiating between neurologic versus psychiatric etiologies of BPSD, the importance of "neurology forward" individualized treatment planning, and appropriate pharmacological & non-pharm treatment modalities.

New Concepts in Antipsychotic Stewardship

In this presentation delivered to 2023 Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (PALTC) - Annual Conference, March, 2023, Steven Posar, MD, Daniel Heiser, PsyD, & Anita Reid, MSP, APN, FNP-BC discuss the goals and barriers to reducing antipsychotic use in nursing homes and how GuideStar Eldercare's person-centered approach to pharmacology for residents with dementia and psychiatric conditions provides positive clinical outcomes for residents and support for LTC facilities.

Building Individual and Team Resilience: A Neuropsychiatric and Social Perspective

In this presentation delivered to American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) - Annual Meeting, March, 2023 Olaniyi Osuntokun, MD, Daniel Heiser, PsyD, & Anita Reid, MSP, APN, FNP-BC explain how the neurological anatomy involved in the brain's development of resilience, the attributes and strategies that can contribute to increased resilience, and discuss workplace challenges that may negatively impact professional resilience.

Innovative Models of Geriatric Mental Health Services

In this presentation delivered to American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) - Annual Meeting, March, 2023, Steven Posar, MD, James Shackson, MD, & Amita Patel, MD, present innovative approaches to geriatric mental health, review the current trends in geriatric mental health services in long-term care, and discuss how appropriate ICD-10 coding leads to individualized treatment plans.

Interdisciplinary Antipsychotic Stewardship Between Operator and Neurobehavioral Consultant

In this poster session delivered to Alzheimer’s Association International Conference - AAIC, August, 2022, Steven Posar, MD, Daniel Heiser, PsyD, Anita Reid, MSP, APN, FNP-BC, Janean Kinzie & Jose Pinon, MD, explain how GuideStar Eldercare's person-centered approach to pharmacology for residents with dementia and psychiatric conditions provides positive clinical outcomes for residents and support for LTC facilities.

The Rate of Use of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors and/or the NMDA Antagonist Memantine in Long Term Care Dementia Patients at Risk for BPSD

This presentation delivered to Alzheimer's Association International Conference - AAIC is a summary of a study conducted by GuideStar Eldercare on the use of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (AChEIs) and the NMDA blocker memantine in combination provide improvements in cognition, function, and BPSD associated with dementia. Steven Posar, MD, Daniel Heiser, Psy.D., and Anita Reid, MSP, APN, FNP-BC, GNP-BC walk through the method, results, and conclusion of the study.

All Things Dementia – An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Your 2021 Comments

This presentation delivered to the 2022 Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (PALTC) - Annual Conference by Steven Posar, MD, Daniel Heiser, Psy.D., & Anita Reid, MSP, APN, FNP-BC, GNP-BC addresses identified concerns of past attendees that occur in the daily practice of dementia care in PALTC facilities.

Psychiatric vs. Neurologic Diagnoses in Behavioral & Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

This presentation was delivered to THCA (Texas Health Care Association) 2022 Summer Retreat identifies the root causes of behaviors from a person-centered approach through proper clinical diagnoses. Understanding behavioral triggers and clinical management can lead to improved care planning and positive outcomes, based on proper individual neurologic and/or psychiatric diagnoses. Steven Posar, MD and and Daniel Heiser, Psy.D. spoke about symptoms of neuropsychiatric illness versus primary psychiatric illness, the possible diagnoses of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD), and the behavioral triggers and steps to improve the clinical management of long-term care facility (LTCF) residents with psychiatric & neuropsychiatric diagnoses.

The Role of Psychologist in an Integrated Delivery System Designed for Geriatric Neuropsychiatric Patients in Long-Term Care Settings

In this presentation delivered to Indiana Psychology Association (IPA) Fall Conference, Dr. Steven Posar, MD walks through the importance and roles of psychological assessments in the initial diagnostic phase for residents in long-term care, the development of long term treatment plans, and treatment protocols.

Communications Strategies in PALTC: Bridging Gaps and Resolving Conflict

Are communications problems and conflict weighing you down? This presentation delivered to The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine™ (AMDA) equips you to break through them with an understanding of communication styles and the T.R.I.P. method of resolving conflict. Walk through real-world examples from long-term care. You’ll improve communications across the team and with families, too.

Neurologic Versus Psychiatric Diagnoses in Dementia

Reaching an accurate diagnosis is crucial to effective treatment, yet navigating the interplay of neurologic and psychiatric diagnoses among patients with dementia can be complex, and errors are common. In this presentation delivered to The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine™ (AMDA), learn more about how to develop valid diagnoses for neuropsychiatric illnesses. Steven Posar, MD, Daniel Heiser, Psy.D., and Anita Reid, MSP, APN, FNP-BC, GNP-BC walk through differential diagnoses and criteria, along with coding and a wealth of clinical advice.

Interviews

Daniel Heiser, Psy. D., Senior Vice President, Behavioral Health, spoke about increased indications of anxiety and depression among nursing home residents and the gap in behavioral health services. Skilled Nursing News, Aug. 24, 2022

Dr. Steven Posar, as featured on "Advancements", the TV Series.

Research, Advocacy, & Education

The Steven L. Posar M.D., Eldercare Foundation was created to provide a research and advocacy platform to help transform the eldercare and skilled nursing space.