John O’Connor’s recent post on the pain/depression cycle raised some interesting points about depression in long-term care. Reducing learned helplessness that is often seen in depression is...
Young adults in long-term care: a new resource for caregivers
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 27, 2013
Nearly one in seven nursing home residents is now under the age of 65, and the number could rise. That’s creating challenges for caregiving staffs that could blossom into big problems — if caregivers...
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...
Everything I need to know I learned from my residents
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 30, 2013
Someone posted a story I Liked on Facebook about an 85-year old woman who graduated from college and already had a job offer. “She’s my new hero!” a Friend commented. That got me thinking...
Is your workplace healthy?
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 16, 2013
I’m a big advocate of taking small steps in the direction of change. Perhaps your organization isn’t in the position of being able to upgrade the health insurance package or to install an onsite...
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...
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.