Disaster communication: A tale of two mothers-in-law
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 26, 2017
Both of my mothers-in-law live in long-term care communities in Florida. One lives in a place that was excellent about how they communicated with family members before, during and after Hurricane Irma....
Helping your LTC community cope in the wake of Hurricane Sandy
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Nov 07, 2012
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, long-term care facilities may be wondering how to help their own residents, families, and staff members or those directly affected by this devastating storm.
Severely mentally ill residents: A ‘perfect storm’ creates a SNF wave
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jan 15, 2019
The severely mentally ill population is increasing in skilled nursing facilities and action is needed. This explores the impact of this change and strategies to manage care.
After natural disasters: coping with resident and staff emotions
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 29, 2011
The Northeast just experienced an earthquake and a hurricane all in one week. The storm may have subsided, but it’s likely residents and staff will still be facing a whirlwind of emotions. And it’s...
The Boston Marathon explosions: Turn off the dayroom TV
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 16, 2013
I was hoping not to have occasion to write another column about tragedy so soon, but the terrible events at the Boston Marathon on Monday compel me to focus on the amount of information we provide to residents...
The pandemic narrative, a tool for mental health
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 27, 2021
Comparisons between April 2020 and April 2021 are surprisingly jolting in some ways. Not until I composed this blog did I fully realize how far we’ve come, regarding pandemic conditions, and life...
Calming fears of floods and other catastrophes
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 29, 2017
By now it’s likely that you, your staff, the residents and their families have seen the incredibly disturbing photo of assisted living residents in Dickinson, TX, sitting in waist-high floodwaters....
My look: Forever changed by the pandemic?
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 22, 2021
For my first 20-plus years as a long-term care psychologist, I arrived on the job wearing not just clothes, but outfits. I chose garb that contributed to the sense of “expertness, attractiveness, and...
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...
Why it’s impossible to maintain prior levels of care quality, and what to do about it
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 24, 2018
Residents and their family members are likely to expect that when they enter long-term care, staff members will provide compassionate medical treatment. Instead, what they frequently find are stressed...