Enhancing resident independence It’s the week of Independence Day and freedom is on my mind. Residents frequently speak to me of their dissatisfaction with the limitations on their liberty, from being told to sit in a communal room when they want to be alone, to needing a family member to sign them out on pass. … Read more
Anne Marie Barnett, in her June 10, 2008 guest column, wrote about the disruptive effects of younger residents on long-term care facilities. As a psychologist who has worked with many younger residents over the years, I’d like to offer my perspective and some suggestions about how to create an environment in which younger residents can … Read more
Today’s blog post is the first in a biweekly series on senior bullying, bringing research into practice. What is Bullying? By Robin Bonifas, PhD, MSW, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ and Marsha Frankel, LICSW, Clinical Director of Senior Services, Jewish Family & Children’s Services, Boston, MA Bullying, defined as … Read more
I’ll be speaking about Behavioral Health in Senior Living at McKnight’s free Online Expo at 11am ET on Thursday, 6/20. To register for the virtual Expo, see the info below. McKnight’s Online Expo, FREE, Thursday June 20th Earn 3 Free CEUs at 3 Free webinars Finally, a virtual trade show just for senior living professionals! … Read more
Thank you to author Deborah Quilter and NextAvenue for an even-handed article about nursing homes and for mentioning my work. NextAvenue is “public media’s first and only national journalism service for America’s booming older population. [Their] daily content delivers vital ideas, context and perspectives on issues that matter most as we age.” What Some Nursing … Read more
Thank you to author Deborah Quilter and NextAvenue for an even-handed article about nursing homes and for mentioning my work. NextAvenue is “public media’s first and only national journalism service for America’s booming older population. [Their] daily content delivers vital ideas, context and perspectives on issues that matter most as we age.” What Some Nursing … Read more
Last week, New Zealand passed the country’s first “well-being budget,” with billions in funding directed towards mental health, suicide prevention, addiction treatment and combatting poverty. This development had me considering what a “well-being budget” would look like in long-term care facilities. Reducing financial hardship Combating poverty in nursing homes would have to address adequately funding … Read more
Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: What if nursing homes had a ‘well-being budget’? Last week, New Zealand passed the country’s first “well-being budget,” with billions in funding directed towards mental health, suicide prevention, addiction treatment and combatting poverty. This development had me considering what a “well-being budget” would look like in … Read more
As a consulting psychologist, my official job is to provide psychological services to the residents of the nursing homes in which I work. Occasionally, though, I’m asked by a department head to informally assist a staff member in distress and, more frequently, a teammate comes to me for a referral for herself or a family … Read more
Long-term care facilities are admitting more residents with longstanding psychiatric illnesses. Such individuals enter the nursing home for physical rehabilitation but are difficult to discharge back to the community due to their mental health needs, weak or nonexistent support networks and unstable prior housing situations. This column focuses on why the severely mentally ill (SMI) … Read more