Most nursing home residents I’ve encountered ironically have their own prejudices about aging and older adults. This is harmful in a variety of ways.
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...
And the Oscar goes to…
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jan 28, 2020
Rather than stew about the overdressed, self-congratulators flaunting at the Academy Awards ceremony, I’ve decided to give out my own Oscars — to the loving, deserving stakeholders in the various...
‘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.)
A gift from LTC families
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Dec 18, 2018
A study of interactions between families and healthcare providers is worth knowing about. Family members can be experts for us on their loved ones’ medical history and behavior.
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...
Bridging the disconnect between leaders and workers
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 05, 2022
As I reviewed the many recent long-term care happenings and articles to select a topic for this week’s blog, my mind kept returning to the fascinating column by researchers Lindsey Creapeau and Jennifer...
Battling depression: Advice on how to make seniors feel valued by others
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 17, 2014
Senior living providers can design programs that increase the opportunities for residents to be valued within their communities and in the outside world. They have nothing to lose but high depression rates....
9 reasons why it’s better to congregate than disperse short-term rehab residents
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 28, 2018
In most of my long-term care career, I’ve witnessed short-term rehabilitation residents housed together. But not always. I don’t know the reasoning behind dispersing residents, but from my...