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.
The added value of social workers and psychosocial services
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 26, 2019
It might be a surprise to some, but social workers will pay for themselves — as in bring in enough revenue to cover the cost of their salaries.
Benefits of acknowledging success
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 09, 2019
Dealing with extensive regulations, reimbursement challenges, elaborate documentation requirements and a punitive environment can erode the joy of helping elders. Acclamation for accomplishments, on the...
Why Five-Star ratings should measure staff retention, not staff ratios
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 26, 2019
If we shift to a system that measures staff retention rather than staff ratios, the whole picture changes.