Most recent articles by Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
What worries me about trauma-informed care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 10, 2019
It’s a good thing to pay more attention to the emotional experience of residents, but I’m worried about how asking them about their traumas — which is mandated in a new rule about to go into effect...
Nurses and physicians can be taught to recognize health problems typical of the severe mental illness population so that they’ll be alert to the increased risk of illnesses such as diabetes, metabolic...
Ageism of elders affects their LTC experience
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 13, 2019
Most nursing home residents I’ve encountered ironically have their own prejudices about aging and older adults. This is harmful in a variety of ways.
Secret shoppers in LTC
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jul 30, 2019
While long-term care facilities might not be able to gather information easily from sham residents, SNF leaders who want to illuminate the important, human details behind dry customer service statistics...
If toileting were a billable service …
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jul 16, 2019
Imagine how things would change if toileting were a billable service. It might not be as laughable as it first appears.
Enhancing resident independence
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jul 02, 2019
As we celebrate our freedoms in the country this week, perhaps we can consider ways in which to create a better balance between the need to provide a safe environment for residents and their right to make...
Meeting behavioral health needs begins with stable staffing
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 18, 2019
The first step in the process of addressing the behavioral health needs of nursing home residents is to improve staff retention.
What if nursing homes had a ‘well-being budget’?
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 04, 2019
To improve the mental health of those who live in nursing homes, my well-being initiative would first tend to the mental health of those who work in long-term care. If employees aren’t emotionally well-balanced,...
Ways to increase trust, reduce hospital transfers
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 21, 2019
I’ve learned from experience that there are numerous ways facilities can address family concerns and reduce potential hospital transfers. They center on educating residents and families, and on setting...
Preventing violence in long-term care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 07, 2019
Instead of accepting aggressive behaviors as normal, facilities would be wise to approach then as anomalies that can and should be addressed.