While it’s tempting for organizations to meet staffing needs with someone who always says yes, good managers recognize that such requests can push employees to the brink.
Enhancing organizational communication improves outcomes, reduces adverse incidents
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 05, 2018
There will always be adverse events in any health system, but strengthening communication between team members and between different levels within the organization can improve outcomes and reduce the likelihood...
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...
Same-sex couples: Are you and your staff prepared? Probably not
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 05, 2013
Last week, McKnight’s staff writer Tim Mullaney wrote about the new Medicare guidance that guarantees that same-sex married couples can live in the same nursing home. Is your staff prepared to offer...
7 powerful ways to deliver family-centered care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 15, 2015
When a resident enters long-term care, we tend to focus solely on the needs of the resident, even though they’re almost always part of a family system that is being affected by their placement. If...
The high cost of rudeness
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 01, 2015
Given the stresses of caregiving and the complexities of human relationships, incivility happens. But considering the potential impact of rudeness on care, we need to do more to understand and prevent...
8 reasons why, despite COVID-19, I’m still glad to work in long-term care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 21, 2020
Despite distressing times of late do to COVID-19, there are many reasons I continue to don my PPE to sit at the bedsides of those in need of emotional solace. Here are eight of them — I think you’ll...
Taking vacations when residents can’t do the same
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 21, 2014
Like many, I’m taking some vacation time during the month of August. It got me thinking about the ways workers interact with residents when they take time off from their jobs. It’s more important...
Clone this woman. Steal this idea.
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 29, 2016
“Trudy’s here!” exclaimed the resident I’d been speaking with, excusing herself for a moment to exchange a few dollars for a bottle of lotion. “She buys me the things I can’t...
Wisdom from elders
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 16, 2016
I told residents that I was writing an article on advice from elders about how to live life and their responses were immediate and enthusiastic, as if they’d been waiting for someone to ask.