5 lessons long-term care providers can learn from Joan Lunden
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 13, 2013
Award-winning journalist and author Joan Lunden has learned a lot from dealing with her 94-year-old mother’s housing and care. Also a physician’s daughter, she recently passed along to me some...
What’s all this about PBJ?
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 30, 2016
Why are they keeping track of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? I appreciate their concern that residents might have our lunches served late, but what about the tuna fish sandwiches? And the chicken?...
What if psychologists ruled the (LTC) world…
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jul 24, 2014
While most psychologists almost exclusively address the mental health of nursing residents due to the current reimbursement system, we’re also aware of the interactions between staff members, families,...
The tumult of turnover
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jul 31, 2018
I once rode down a crowded afternoon elevator with the CEO of a managed care company. “It must be 5:01,” he commented wryly. I heard a measure of scorn for his employees’ lack of dedication...
Promote your connections
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 20, 2017
One of the things that most brightens my workday is when I see long-term care residents hanging out together.
Reducing antipsych meds: 5 ways psychologists can help
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 04, 2014
With the mandate to reduce the use of antipsychotics, many facilities are looking for alternative methods to address the behaviors often associated with dementia. There are several good resources available...
Join me for the ‘Relaxed Lane’ challenge!
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Feb 28, 2017
Denise B. Scott, president of Drive Consulting, posted an intriguing story on LinkedIn the other day about a Scottish supermarket that partners with Alzheimer Scotland to help those with memory loss. The...
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...
‘Healthwear’ and other culture changes
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 02, 2016
When it comes to assistive devices such as canes, walkers, and eyeglasses, it’s possible to convert something unappealing yet necessary into an item that bestows confidence, evinces a sense of humor...
Managing a bah humbug holiday season
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Dec 15, 2020
By now many of us have viewed the viral video of residents gleefully shooting soft foam balls at laughing staff members dressed as reindeer dodging through a pine-tree “forest.” It’s the kind...