In the wake of a nursing home double-homicide: How to meet mental health needs and prevent violence
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 01, 2014
News of the recent double-homicide in a Houston nursing home arrived the morning I was to speak to a group gathered to address the needs of younger residents in long-term care. It didn’t escape anyone...
Act now to avert a holiday season fiasco
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Oct 20, 2020
The holidays are typically a busy time for long-term care centers, filled with special activities and extra visitors. Because of the pandemic, this year will be much different.
Antipsychotic medication reduction and the severely mentally ill population
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 08, 2022
President Biden’s State of the Union address last week targeted several aspects of the long-term care industry, most of which have received more attention than his mention of reducing the inappropriate...
Preventing difficult family situations
Sep 16, 2014
From a psychological perspective, here are some ideas to prevent or reduce disagreements with residents and their family members over care, thereby decreasing the likelihood that a situation will result...
How to quit like a shrink
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Feb 26, 2019
There are entire volumes devoted to the psychological process of termination, but I’ve created a quick guide based on my experiences with leave-taking in long-term care.
Remember to breathe
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 14, 2017
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,...
Secret shoppers in LTC
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jul 30, 2019
While long-term care facilities might not be able to gather information easily from sham residents, SNF leaders who want to illuminate the important, human details behind dry customer service statistics...
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...
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...