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...
Why long-term care needs psychology treatment
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 30, 2020
Returning soul to long-term care, as the system needs, should include the expansion of psychology services.
Protecting residents of nursing homes from pandemics
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jul 14, 2020
“We can’t worry about keeping the virus out [of nursing homes], we have to figure out how to live with it.” It’s a sobering comment that rings true to me.
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...
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 Minister for Loneliness in LTC
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Dec 03, 2019
We have recreation departments that encourage resident socialization, but a Minister for Loneliness could do so much more. The Minister also could target staff loneliness and the isolation of those in...
Benefits of acknowledging success
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 09, 2019
Dealing with extensive regulations, reimbursement challenges, elaborate documentation requirements and a punitive environment can erode the joy of helping elders. Acclamation for accomplishments, on the...
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...