In order to better face whatever is ahead — and to avoid causing panic in those around us — we can make an effort to be serene and centered. Below are some tried and true calming techniques to help...
Telemental health: Who, what, when, where, why you should use it
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Nov 01, 2013
Since I now Skype regularly with my 94-year old father-in-law and his wife, the concept of telemental health doesn’t seem as futuristic to me as it used to seem. I was shocked to discover, however,...
Super-utilizers: LTC has them too
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jul 05, 2016
Reducing the costs of long-term care “super-utilizers” first requires recognizing them as such. Then proceed carefully, and with an investigative eye, to increase the likelihood of successfully...
How to support depressed workers and reduce absenteeism
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 11, 2018
As a consulting psychologist, my official job is to provide psychological services to the residents of the nursing homes in which I work. Occasionally, though, I’m asked by a department head to informally...
From abysmal to mediocre: Encouraging hand hygiene
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 21, 2016
I’ve become more diligent over the years (read: paranoid) about making an effort to sanitize my hands as I move from room to room. But I wonder about those whose roles in long-term care don’t...
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...
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 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...
A ‘novel-la’ way to educate families about dementia
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jan 17, 2017
It’s easy to become overwhelmed and to have the information presented by a medical professional blur so that it sounds like a Charlie Brown cartoon teacher declaring, “Wa wa wa wa, wa wa wa...
Psychologists open up about LTC sex and dementia
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 26, 2015
A recent high-profile court case in Iowa highlighted the challenges that arise when considering capacity, sexual activity and the senior living environment. Long-term care psychologists met recently to...