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
Did you know that geropsychology has its own podcast? I didn’t, until I was asked to be interviewed for their COVID-19 mini-series. Click on the link below to hear my conversation with Drs. Lindsey Jacobs and Rachel Weiskittle, and check out their other fascinating interviews. In this episode of our COVID-19 mini-series, we interview Dr. Eleanor … Read more
One of the best ways to make meaning from tragedy is to use the experience to help others. Below, staff members of New York City nursing homes hit early in the pandemic graciously offer their advice to teams across the country that might be anticipating or currently grappling with the pandemic. Advance planning Stay calm. … Read more
Last week I listened to a webinar on protecting residents of nursing homes from pandemics, hosted by STAT News and sponsored by AARP. The three medical experts on the call offered a multitude of recommendations, some of which will no doubt be familiar to long-term care leaders, while others may provide new avenues for thought … Read more
Tena L. Scallan, of The Ultimate Caregving Expert, has gathered advice from experts (including me) on how to manage as a caregiver during the Covid-19 pandemic. Click on this link to read their advice and mine.
The pandemic has caused many of us to reflect on our lives, work and priorities. It’s also led to catastrophic losses and to greater public awareness of problems in our field. In the mental health world, we encourage people to try to learn and grow from tragedy. I hope we in the long-term care world … Read more
May 27 is Psychology Day and this year it’s a particularly timely moment to acknowledge the impact of psychology. Along with the physical and financial havoc wreaked by COVID-19, the pandemic has negatively affected mental health, especially for those in long-term care. Recognizing Psychology Day raises mental health awareness and is a means of expressing … Read more
Thanks to author Ashley Abramson for interviewing me and my fellow geropsychologists and for addressing the mental health of older adults in nursing homes. Protecting nursing home residents during COVID-19 Nursing homes have become hotbeds for COVID-19 — as well as for loneliness, fear and stress for residents, their families and staff. Many of the … Read more
I took off my PPE mid-day last week to have an interesting LinkedIn Live talk with Shmuel Septimus of The Nursing Home Podcast. We discussed mental health, the impact of Covid-19 on nursing facilities, the need for LTC leaders to garner community support for their beleaguered staff members and why I like my job so … Read more
I’m Worried About the Emotional Impact on the Staff Mr. Davis used to sit in the lobby and greet staff members when they walked in the door of the nursing care center. His wife had friendly chats with other residents when she came to visit; his children brought plates of homemade cookies to the nursing … Read more