Recent Blog Posts
Managing staff anxiety in the time of COVID-19
Much has changed in our lives and our facilities since my column two weeks ago on addressing residents’ coronavirus fears. Back then, residents, like the rest of us, were still receiving visitors and attending communal activities. In addition to its effect on...
Addressing residents’ coronavirus fears
As the number of coronavirus cases increases around the world, providers may be worried about the emotional impact of the outbreak on residents and how to handle it. One would expect residents to be concerned, given that they’re at higher risk due to their ages,...
A look at Germany’s intriguing long-term care system
I was in Berlin, Germany, last week and did some research into their long-term care system during my visit. I was curious about how it might be different or similar to ours, given the country’s national healthcare program. Briefly, the German system has public and...
LTC leaders gain remarkable insights from the Sleepover Project
In my first year as a nursing home psychologist, I entered a resident’s room for a session and she invited me to have a seat in her wheelchair, the only surface that was clean and free of belongings. The thought of sitting in a wheelchair freaked me out. Instead, I...
A resolution to serve physical and mental health
A resolution to serve physical and mental health Ah, January — a moment to consider plans and directions for the upcoming months. Like many people, one of my personal goals is to recommit to mindful eating and wise food choices. While some residents like to rethink...
Getting ‘hygge’ with it, at the holidays and year-round
Getting ‘hygge’ with it, at the holidays and year-round I know, I know, that’s not how the word is pronounced. But as soon as I read about the Danish concept of coziness, I got that darn Will Smith song (“Gettin Jiggy With It”) in my head and I can’t get it out. Hygge...