Eleanor Barbera, Ph.D. The shocking news of an assault on nursing home residents and staff is likely to cause fear and anxiety in members of our nursing home community. As a nursing home psychologist who was working in New York City in the aftermath of 9/11, I’d like to offer some suggestions regarding ways in which we can … Read more
I was walking home from my writer’s group the other day, talking with a group member who’s a former emergency medical technician. “It’s funny how the elderly get infantilized so much. I wonder why that is,” she commented. “I think we do it to them. I didn’t realize it for a few years into working … Read more
Please: Hang my psychology diplomas on my wall, so I’m reminded of my accomplishments. Display family photos, so I feel surrounded by my loved ones. If I have Dementia, label my photos so the staff can talk to me about my family and help me to remember. Put a quilt or bedspread on my … Read more
Occasionally I pull up a chair to sit with the residents in the hallway, chatting and watching the passersby. One thing I’ve noticed is the vast difference in perspective between eye level and viewing from above. This difference becomes most shockingly clear when the aides wheel the shower chair, with their naked charges covered only … Read more
As a psychologist, I must fall in love with all of my patients in order to work with them. This morning, I had my initial interview with a 90-year old woman who was referred due to depression. I asked my typical psychological assessment questions (“Can you tell me what day it is? Have you … Read more
Regina and I were sitting alone in her room with the door closed. “I was thinking about John last night.” Tears began to well in her eyes. “Yes?” I was immediately alert. Regina had avoided discussing her husband’s death for the past three months of psychotherapy. Suddenly the door opened and the day shift aide poked … Read more
Many years ago, when I was a new psychologist in long term care, I worked with a woman whose Multiple Sclerosis had impaired her memory to the point she couldn’t remember where she was. I gave her an ID holder with her room number to wear around her neck, but she forgot to look at … Read more
97-year old Rosebud, whom I mentioned in my 11/15/08 post, was a social worker, raised two children, and now lives in a nursing home. She would like to share with you the following thoughts about recreational activities: “Old folks know a lot and need to have their minds stimulated. We residents can’t speak back and … Read more
I couldn’t wait to go to college. I was ready to shake off the old me, and begin a brand new self. No one would know who I’d been, and I could therefore be whomever I wanted to be. In my Psych 101 textbook, there was a picture of animal behaviorist Conrad Lorenz, followed … Read more
“I need you to see Eddie,” the social worker told me, “He keeps throwing himself out of bed, and you know how the administration is about falls.” Falls were bad. They get reported to the State. “You hear that moaning down the hall?” she asked. “That’s him. He’s driving all the other residents crazy.” She … Read more