Most recent articles by Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Absenteeism and turnover in LTC? Death anxiety could be the cause
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 03, 2013
I started working in long-term care when I was in my early 30s and I was shocked at first when the residents died. I was used to falling in love with my patients. In order to make it in LTC, I’ve...
An LTC shrink’s mind
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 01, 2013
These are the initial posts of the popular new McKnights.com blog “The World According to Dr. El.” See more from her at McKnights.com.
The Boston Marathon explosions: Turn off the dayroom TV
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 16, 2013
I was hoping not to have occasion to write another column about tragedy so soon, but the terrible events at the Boston Marathon on Monday compel me to focus on the amount of information we provide to residents...
Your best competitive advantage? A solid social work department
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 05, 2013
I have great respect for those who attend to the often complicated physical needs of our long-term care residents, but if your facility doesn’t have a solid social service department, it isn’t...
Secrets to making your environment ’emotionally healing’
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 22, 2013
Back when I worked in psych, one of our most effective tools to improve mental health was maintaining a healing emotional environment, or therapeutic milieu. That’s why I was shocked when I first...
Inside the mind of an LTC shrink
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 08, 2013
I sat in morning report as the nursing supervisor announced the arrival of a new resident. An 80-year old woman was taken to the hospital after a fall at home, where she received a below-knee amputation...
Helping your LTC community cope in the wake of Hurricane Sandy
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Nov 07, 2012
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, long-term care facilities may be wondering how to help their own residents, families, and staff members or those directly affected by this devastating storm.
Long-term care psychologists often can help prevent rehospitalizations
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Oct 09, 2012
Long-term care psychologists are a valuable resource for facilities looking to reduce their hospital readmission rates.
The ‘single’ boom: problems and solutions for long-term care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 27, 2012
Demographic trends suggest we need to prepare for increasing numbers of residents without close relatives. Here are four ways we can expect this shift to impact our residents, and suggestions for how we...
After natural disasters: coping with resident and staff emotions
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 29, 2011
The Northeast just experienced an earthquake and a hurricane all in one week. The storm may have subsided, but it’s likely residents and staff will still be facing a whirlwind of emotions. And it’s...