The turnover rate in long-term care is a very significant problem, so I dug into the research about it. Some of the findings were shocking. Others were simply very disappointing. Here’s what I found,...
Suicide prevention in the workplace: What employers need to know
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 19, 2018
As I prepared for this article, I realized that we don’t hear much in the industry news outlets about suicide among our staff members. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.
The psychology behind good customer service (and why it’s more important than you think)
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 12, 2014
We may talk about the term “customer service” and ask our staff members to avoid public arguments in front of residents and family members. But nevertheless, volatile situations happen every...
7 employee wellness ideas for the holidays (and beyond)
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Dec 08, 2015
After a staff training on reducing burnout in long-term care last week, a look through the evaluation forms was illuminating. A significant number of attendees — mostly nursing aides, nurses, and environmental...
Working on how to communicate in facilities
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Nov 14, 2014
Transitions between care settings are getting more scrutiny than ever before. So thank goodness for new guidelines designed to help smooth them out. Still, we need all the help we can when it comes to...
Why it’s impossible to maintain prior levels of care quality, and what to do about it
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 24, 2018
Residents and their family members are likely to expect that when they enter long-term care, staff members will provide compassionate medical treatment. Instead, what they frequently find are stressed...
Using light to improve sleep, reduce agitation
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 15, 2016
Research now suggests there may be a solution for residents lacking sleep, experiencing depression or falls, or other certain conditions — and it involves no medication or side effects. The answer could...
‘Honest’ placebos help without side-effects, expense
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jan 19, 2016
Placebos could be a better friend than you realize in the universal quest to reduce the number of medications that elderly patients receive. Don’t believe me? Read on. (It won’t hurt.)
To reduce burnout and turnover, improve family-staff relationships
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 22, 2018
People who travel tend to be happier with their jobs and companies than those who don’t. This is a research finding that long-term care managers and operators definitely should heed.
Help in your backyard
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jan 30, 2018
Amy Gotwals, the Chief of Public Policy and External Affairs at the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, kicked off the 28th Annual Aging Conference in New York City last week, held at the New...