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?
3 surprising reasons to strengthen your resident council
Oct 11, 2016
Forget about worries of them eating up staff time or triggering something bad on surveys, resident councils can be awesome for your facility and here’s why.
Implementing an employee recognition program: Tips for success
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 29, 2014
I recently focused on the benefits of recognition and key points in choosing a recognition program. Now I’d like to address how to implement your chosen employee recognition program so that it becomes...
Protecting residents of nursing homes from pandemics
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jul 14, 2020
“We can’t worry about keeping the virus out [of nursing homes], we have to figure out how to live with it.” It’s a sobering comment that rings true to me.
We need staff… NOW
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 28, 2021
Last year, as the pandemic raged in New York City and sirens filled the air, a group of young travel nurses arrived to assist weary long-term care teams. They took over nursing stations that had been depleted...
How to find out why your staff is leaving
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Oct 27, 2015
Some of the reasons employees leave are beyond our control. But many are not. Here’s how to start figuring out how to stop the flow and reduce turnover.
4 ways to find out why your aides are leaving
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 27, 2016
Once, when I worked for a managed care company, I rode down a packed elevator with the CEO, who commented drily on the crowd, saying, “It must be 5:01.” What I thought, but did not say, was...
Enhancing resident independence
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jul 02, 2019
As we celebrate our freedoms in the country this week, perhaps we can consider ways in which to create a better balance between the need to provide a safe environment for residents and their right to make...
Help for hoarders, and those who care for them
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 12, 2016
When it comes to dealing with residents who are hoarders, facilities are often caught between a rock and a hard place. Here’s how to deal with it.
On power, teamwork and communication
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 11, 2017
Having enough of it at work, I tend to avoid drama in my entertainment choices unless it involves aliens or post-apocalyptic nonsense. My family and I are currently enjoying the creative spectacle of Project...