Here’s my latest article at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Is Your Workplace Psychologically Healthy? In long-term care we spend a lot of time focused on the physical health of those in our care. With increased emphasis on culture change and the update to the MDS (and hopefully as a result of this column), we’ve begun … Read more
Here’s my latest article at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Absenteeism and turnover in LTC? Death anxiety could be the cause I started working in long-term care when I was in my early 30s and I was shocked at first when the residents died. I was used to falling in love with my patients — I … Read more
I’m very pleased to announce the debut of my new column at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. The World According to Dr. El is a twice monthly column that will address mental health issues in LTC. Please visit and “Like” the page on McKnight’s to show your support for addressing the mental health concerns of all … Read more
Please join me as I speak with Dale Carter of Transition Aging Parents on her BlogTalkRadio show on Monday, November 5th at 8pm ET. We’ll be discussing my new book, The Savvy Resident’s Guide, and ways in which to help residents thrive in nursing homes. The show will be a great resource for family members in … Read more
Where was I last week and why didn’t I update my blog as usual? I was in Denver, speaking about Mental Health in Nursing Homes at the National Aging Services Risk Management conference sponsored by Caring Communities, Peace Church Risk Retention Group, and ECRI Institute. I addressed the fact that facilities are exposing themselves to … Read more
Here’s my latest guest post on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Long-term care psychologists often can help prevent rehospitalizations Long-term care psychologists are a valuable resource for facilities looking to reduce their hospital readmission rates. As the only team member whose role it is to sit and talk with the residents for an extended period of time … Read more
I’m pleased to announce that The Savvy Resident’s Guide: Everything You Wanted to Know About Your Nursing Home Stay But Were Afraid to Ask is now available on Amazon.com! It’s been my lifelong wish to publish a book, so I’m excited and couldn’t wait for the official book launch to tell you about it. If … Read more
Last weekend I was in Orlando, Florida for the American Psychological Association conference, where I spoke as part of a symposium on Social Media in Long-Term Care Settings. We discussed concerns around maintaining privacy and confidentiality, as well as the use of social media to improve care. Of course, I talked about my blog, how … Read more
The New York Times New Old Age blog has an interesting, hopeful article by Paula Span regarding treatment for depression in older adults. Regarding the stigma of psychotherapy the article mentions, I’ve found nursing home residents to be very receptive to my visits, especially when I phrase my help as “extra support during a stressful … Read more
Here’s my latest article in Long-Term Living magazine online: Family members: 5 ways to turn fault finders into fans For most families, entry into a nursing home is like being teleported onto a strange new planet. The arrival is often swift and unanticipated, and the customs are foreign and frequently unnerving. Think back to your … Read more