“Trudy’s here!” exclaimed the resident I’d been speaking with, excusing herself for a moment to exchange a few dollars for a bottle of lotion. “She buys me the things I can’t...
Opening the door for ombudsmen
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 09, 2017
I can imagine from an administrator’s point of view that an unexpected interruption from an ombudsman complaining about problems is not exactly a welcome visit, but perhaps there’s a way to...
The ticklish balancing act: Resident rights vs. care quality
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 08, 2018
Balancing the rights and desires of residents with the need of the facility to avoid citation and litigation can be very tricky, but the payoff can be definitely worth it when done right. Here’s...
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through LTC …
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Dec 22, 2014
It was the night before Christmas, Hanukkah was ending and Kwanzaa was right around the corner. The perfect time for a poem.
‘Derek’ — a long-term care shrink’s view
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Oct 03, 2013
I was very pleased when I heard there was a program about a long-term care facility on British television. Finally we’re getting our props — at least overseas.
Instilling hope: Needed for contentment, helpful for long-term care operations
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Nov 29, 2013
“I hope Santa brings me a Sony DS,” my 7-year-old told me the other day. I can tell you right now that Santa is NOT bringing her a video game player, but I didn’t want to tell her that....
Loneliness in LTC: Overcoming disability, creating connections
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 14, 2015
Reducing loneliness among facility residents has numerous benefits — for residents and staff. So why aren’t we doing better at it? Here’s what you need to know.
Full code: Discussing advance directives
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 07, 2016
Assistance in creating a “good death” is a fundamental task of any organization working with elders and may be addressed by a number of team members singly or in combination. Since these discussions...
Dialysis: Gauging its need, and how to reduce its stress
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 31, 2015
As a psychologist observing the effects of medical interventions on the mental health of the long-term care resident, I often ask, “Is this aggressive procedure helping?” As it turns out, so...
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.