By now many of us have viewed the viral video of residents gleefully shooting soft foam balls at laughing staff members dressed as reindeer dodging through a pine-tree “forest.” It’s the kind of merriment suitable for the 2020 holidays — one that uses humor and playful defiance to release pent-up frustrations. Under normal circumstances, spending … Read more
The treatment team sat around the table calculating the approximate arrival date of the surveyors based on rumors, past years’ experience, and sightings from colleagues at other facilities in the city. “If they approach you,” the director of nursing advised, “try not to say too much.” The young social worker remarked, “If I see them … Read more
“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
I settled down to talk to Pearl, eager to hear how she was faring in her new room. Her voice was strained. “Well, she’s not rummaging through my closet, like Beatrice did. But she told me everybody likes me better than her.” “It makes you uncomfortable.” “Yes! And she won’t talk to me.” We debated … Read more
Nursing homes and eldercare have been in the news more frequently recently and I’ve had several opportunities to contribute a psychological perspective. Scripps National News: Washington Post: With video calls and an army of volunteers, this 15-year-old is battling pandemic loneliness in nursing homes Chicago Tribune: Nursing home staffers face stress and their own COVID-19 … Read more
The holidays are typically a busy time for long-term care centers, filled with special activities and extra visitors. Because of the pandemic, this year will be much different. Planning, collaboration, creativity and communication will be needed to create reasonable alternatives to usual events. Take action now to avoid a season of putting out the fires … Read more
Next Wednesday, October 28th, McKnight’s free Online Forum will focus on the impact of COVID-19. Join me at 10:30am ET for “Coping with the psychological hardships of COvID-19 on staff, residents and families.” The afternoon session will address reimbursement issues. For more information and the registration link, visit: McKnight’s Online Forum arrives Wednesday — 2 … Read more
Margaret was a plump 54-year old woman who was skeptical about psychological services when I first approached her. Three sessions later she sat quietly on the edge of her bed, staring down at her legs, her feet not quite touching the floor. “I can’t walk. Every time I try to stand up in physical therapy, … Read more
In “Keeping workers will be biggest struggle for nursing homes as pandemic persists, national policy expert predicts,” McKnight’s Long-Term Care News Staff Writer Danielle Brown reports on the staffing problems outlined by Harvard Medical School health care policy professor David Grabowski, Ph.D. He anticipates that, because of a lack of support, direct caregivers will leave … 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