Increasing the positive visibility of long-term care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 08, 2020
The COVID-19 health emergency has opened a rare window of receptivity in society to recognize the needs of elders and their caregivers.
Addressing residents’ coronavirus fears
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 10, 2020
Despite their general calm and resilience, it’s perfectly reasonable for residents to have questions and concerns about the coronavirus and its potential spread.
The keys to reducing turnover in long-term care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Feb 07, 2014
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.
Contending with employees’ pandemic-related stress
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Oct 06, 2020
Be sure to include inadequate emotional support of staff around pandemic-related stresses to the long list of failures regarding lack of investment in long-term care staff.
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...
McDonald’s versus long-term care: How nursing homes can compete for staff
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 22, 2020
Recent calls1, 2, 3 for an increase in nursing staff levels may have providers wondering how to accomplish this. Under normal circumstances it can be challenging to find qualified individuals; the pandemic...
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...
Is your facility prepared for returning families?
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 02, 2021
If all goes well, over the next few weeks there will be an increasing number of family members visiting their loved ones in the nursing home, many for the first time in a year. Along with the joy and relief...