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...
6 common problems a shrink on staff can solve (and your consultant can’t)
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 22, 2013
As a psychologist consulting in long-term care facilities, I provided a lot more than I was paid for, because it was needed. But there was much more help that I didn’t offer, not only because I wasn’t...
Enhancing resident independence
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jul 02, 2019
As we celebrate our freedoms in the country this week, perhaps we can consider ways in which to create a better balance between the need to provide a safe environment for residents and their right to make...
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.
Use ‘nudge principles’ to prompt staff
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jan 06, 2015
We all can use practice harnessing “less laudatory traits,” such as short-sightedness, inertia, inflated optimism and our tendency to submit to peer pressure. Especially for our work. Here’s...
5 strategies to promote mental health in long-term care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 08, 2021
Last week, tennis superstar Naomi Osaka chose to forgo mandatory but anxiety-producing post-event press interviews to protect her mental health. She was fined $15,000 by tennis officials and, after being...
Ways to increase trust, reduce hospital transfers
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 21, 2019
I’ve learned from experience that there are numerous ways facilities can address family concerns and reduce potential hospital transfers. They center on educating residents and families, and on setting...
From blame to education: Rethinking the nursing home survey process
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Nov 17, 2020
What if, instead of a system based on the notion that nursing homes should be punished for deliberately flouting the rules, the underlying belief was that facilities were trying to do their best?
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...
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.