Severely mentally ill residents: Staff training, teamwork needed As I discussed in Severely mentally ill residents: A ‘perfect storm’ creates a SNF wave, long-term care has a growing population of severely mentally ill (SMI) residents, with the number of residents diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder approaching 20% in some states as of 2017.1 In … Read more
Here’s my latest article at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Meeting boomer needs at LeadingAge Florida “You do so much for seniors,” my friends tell me, having heard too many stories about the horrors of nursing homes. “Those places need more people like you.” “Actually,” I respond, “there are lots of people like me out there … Read more
I’m honored to be speaking at LeadingAge Florida’s 50th annual convention this year. I’ll be talking tomorrow morning about the anticipated psychosocial needs of baby boomers. If you’re at the convention, please come by to hear me and be sure to say hello afterward. Hope to see you there!
Here’s my latest article at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Young adults in long-term care: a new resource for caregivers According to a 2010 NPR report, young adults have been one of the fastest growing long-term care populations over the past 10 years, with 14% of nursing home residents under the age of 65. Some live in … Read more
Here’s my latest article at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: 5 lessons long-term care providers can learn from Joan Lunden Award-winning journalist and author Joan Lunden and I met recently to talk about eldercare issues. Joan’s mother is 94 years old and happy in a small care home after living for years in the community with home care. … Read more
Award-winning journalist and author Joan Lunden takes time from her busy schedule to talk with Dr. El of My Better Nursing Home about her experiences caring for her 94-year old mother and speaking with other family caregivers around the country. Dr. El: Joan, you’re part of what’s called “The Sandwich Generation,” taking care of your … Read more
Check out my article on the 10 anticipated psychosocial needs of baby boomers, now a web feature on Long-Term Living Magazine online. 10 anticipated psychosocial needs of baby boomers Consider these changes as LTC adapts to the next generation by Eleanor Feldman Barbera, PhD We’ve heard the rumblings of the coming generation in the voices of … Read more
I recently read an article about how the aging of baby boomers is causing some technology companies to focus on products geared toward older adults, often with the goal of helping them remain independent and at home for longer periods of time. But what about those older adults already living in nursing homes? What would help them be more … Read more
The saying in 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is that alcoholism is a three-fold disease: physical, mental, and spiritual. The only-half-kidding joke is that alcoholism is a three-fold disease: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. The holidays can be a particularly stressful time for nursing home residents as their celebrations have often changed significantly … Read more
Looking for a great, inexpensive way to create some good will and holiday cheer at the nursing home this year? Why not set up a call center using Skype? Residents, families, and staff members can sign up to call loved ones around the globe, conversing with them via video call. What it would take: A … Read more