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?...
‘Okie El’ rocks out, and then veges out
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 28, 2015
My first-ever trip to Oklahoma for a speaking engagement recently included no fringed surries. But there was a bustling, well-run long-term conference, animated conversations with attendees, life-altering...
Clone this woman. Steal this idea.
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 29, 2016
“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...
How to keep working in LTC (when you’re not sure how much more you can take)
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 31, 2021
When I speak to long-term care groups, whether to those in leadership positions or to direct care staff, it’s clear that virtually all the audience members have been drawn to the industry because of...
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.
What worries me about trauma-informed care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 10, 2019
It’s a good thing to pay more attention to the emotional experience of residents, but I’m worried about how asking them about their traumas — which is mandated in a new rule about to go into effect...
Conversations with COVID-19 survivors
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 05, 2020
The more I do this work, the more apparent it is to me that mental health support is essential, regardless of whether or not there’s a global catastrophe.
‘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.