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...
Re-envisioning long-term care: A psychologist’s perspective
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 02, 2020
In the mental health world, we encourage people to try to learn and grow from tragedy. I hope we in the long-term care world can do the same with the current pandemic conditions.
Clinical considerations when the census is low
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 25, 2020
A low census caused by things like the pandemic can lead to the challenge of balancing the urgency of filling the beds with the risks of admitting residents that the team is clinically unable to manage.
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?
Psychologists open up about LTC sex and dementia
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 26, 2015
A recent high-profile court case in Iowa highlighted the challenges that arise when considering capacity, sexual activity and the senior living environment. Long-term care psychologists met recently to...
Care model for more than just medical condition needed in long-term care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 20, 2013
Of the most efficient countries for healthcare, the United States ranks second in healthcare costs per capita but 46th in efficiency (out of the 48 countries ranked!). The move from a biomedical to a biopsychosocial...