“I had a couple of relapses this week,” Betty told me, looking ashamed. We’d been working in psychotherapy on her efforts not to snap at the aides and nurses who came to care for her. “I try not use to my call bell,” she went on. “Sometimes I sit here for two hours thinking about … Read more
I’m excited to announce my forthcoming book, which will become available in the next month or two: The Savvy Resident’s Guide: Everything You Wanted to Know About Your Nursing Home Stay, But Were Afraid to Ask The Savvy Resident’s Guide, based on my 15+ years as a nursing home psychologist, is the first book written just … Read more
Check out my article, 4 Ways Psychology Can Improve Your Bottom Line, featured on Long-Term Living Magazine’s online site: It’s common knowledge that mental health and physical health are connected, but are you aware that applying mental health concepts to your organization could save you money? Observe the four theories below and my hypothetical long-term care … Read more
With Thanksgiving upon us in less than three weeks, it’s time for this perennial post from Dr. El at mybetternursinghome.com: ‘Twas the Week Before Christmas… And 83-year old Albertha assured me her family was planning to take her home for the holidays. “Have you talked to them about it? Have they called the social worker … Read more
When nursing home residents are evacuated from their facilities after any type of disaster, they typically move to another nursing home rather than to a public shelter. They therefore miss the opportunity to speak with trained first responders who can help them address their emotional reactions to the experience. Developed by psychologist Lisa M. Brown, … Read more
Part Three of a Three Part Series (Part One — The International Center for Long-Term Care Innovation Part Two — Signature HealthCARE: Great Ideas in Practice) I recently interviewed Jeff A. Beaty, D.H.Ed., LMSW, QDCP, SSBB, Chief Development Officer for Signature HealthCARE, about the role of psychology at Signature. I was pleased to hear that … Read more
Dear Researchers, I’ve been a nursing home psychologist for the last 14 years, and, while there are many fascinating areas to be studied in the field of geropsychology, I’m writing to you with the hope that we’ll see more research on the medical cost offset of psychological services. One type of study could look at … Read more
A recent article in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (September 2010) caught my eye: Attitude appears to affect healing process for wounds. The article cites a research study in the August issue of Dermatologia that found patients who were less depressed had wounds that healed faster. It also found slower healing in those who had “confrontational” … Read more
“I never say goodbye,” Mr. O’Hara told me, “because that’s what my mother said when she left me as a child. Then she died and I never saw her again.” At 91, Mr. O’Hara was slim and getting slimmer. He began our next session as usual, discussing the procedures he was receiving from the doctors … Read more
An iatrogenic illness is one which results from health care treatment, and iatrogenic depression is typically a side effect of medication. I take a broader view of “treatment” and think of iatrogenic depression as a customer service failure. I see nursing home residents who have become depressed as a result of interactions with staff that … Read more