If we address new residents’ hidden concerns, we can better show them we understand and care about how they feel. We can enhance their experiences upon entering our organizations and can market our...
6 ways to improve dealing with death in LTC
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jan 20, 2015
How someone dies is a very important part of the culture of the long-term care organization. Odds are your community can improve its culture in this area.
Use ‘nudge principles’ to prompt staff
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jan 06, 2015
We all can use practice harnessing “less laudatory traits,” such as short-sightedness, inertia, inflated optimism and our tendency to submit to peer pressure. Especially for our work. Here’s...
Seeing the ‘invisible patient’ in LTC
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Dec 11, 2014
Jane Gross’ recent post ‘Seeing the Invisible Patient’ in the “New Old Age” blog of the New York Times discusses how professionals often ignore the needs of caregivers of...
Working on how to communicate in facilities
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Nov 14, 2014
Transitions between care settings are getting more scrutiny than ever before. So thank goodness for new guidelines designed to help smooth them out. Still, we need all the help we can when it comes to...
The White House Conference on Aging: Why it should matter to you
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Oct 30, 2014
If you, like me, completely missed the 2005 White House Conference on Aging (or if you weren’t in the field at the time), it’s fair to ask just what the heck it and does. And what it means...
Dear Diary, Last week I attended my first AHCA convention …
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Oct 16, 2014
There’s nothing like the first time you get to meet people, attend education sessions and see the exhibit hall at the American Health Care Association, as I found out last week. If you weren’t...
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...
Taking vacations when residents can’t do the same
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 21, 2014
Like many, I’m taking some vacation time during the month of August. It got me thinking about the ways workers interact with residents when they take time off from their jobs. It’s more important...
The psychology of falls in long-term care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 07, 2014
According to the American Geriatrics Society, one in three adults over the age of 65 falls each year. Falls represent the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults. You might be surprised...