Ageism in LTC

As I listened last week to a web event on confronting ageism in healthcare, I found myself nodding in agreement with the participants, who were all themselves nodding at the comments of their collaborators. The conversation, presented by the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Kaiser Health News and The John A. Hartford Foundation, was led by KHN’s … Read more

Nursing Home Love Story #6: The Case of the Reluctant Resident

“Hi, Mabel! Do you have some time to talk to me?” Mabel, I knew, had all the time in the world, since she refused to go to activities. She sat across from the nursing station, her hefty frame filling her extra-large wheelchair, watching the nursing staff, the other residents and the passersby. Her greeting hadn’t … Read more

Nursing Home Love Stories: Intro and Story #1

There’s a hidden world inside each nursing home. Each center is filled with people striving to live their best lives despite age and disability. Family visitors arrive when they can to offer care and companionship. Staff members devote themselves to this work largely because of their genuine fondness for the residents. If people would like … Read more

CNN Health/Kaiser Health News: Distress in seniors surges amid coronavirus pandemic

Thanks to journalist Judith Graham for addressing loneliness in elders and for mentioning my work and the importance of psychological support during the Covid-19 pandemic. Distress in seniors surges amid coronavirus pandemic As states relax coronavirus restrictions, older adults are advised, in most cases, to keep sheltering in place. But for some, the burden of … Read more

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 private healthcare insurance options and 100% of the population has … Read more

Ageism of elders affects their LTC experience

Ageism of elders affects their LTC experience “There’s no one here to talk to,” a new resident, Claire, said to me, “They’re all so old!” Claire was in her early 80s but thought of herself as two decades younger. She, like most residents I’ve encountered, have their own prejudices about aging and older adults. It … Read more