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: Reducing learned helplessness in LTC John O’Connor’s recent post on the pain/depression cycle raised some interesting points about depression in long-term care. He referenced a 2009 study that found that over 47% of nursing home residents suffer from some level of depression, and he reported on a University … 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
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 column at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Your best competitive advantage? A solid social work department I have great respect for those who attend to the often complicated physical needs of our long-term care residents, but if your facility doesn’t have a solid social service department, it isn’t as good as it could … Read more
Here’s my latest article in Long-Term Living Magazine online: Small changes have big impact on LTC residents’ sense of control, autonomy When the psychologist arrived at Mrs. Winters’ room, she found her distraught and disheveled. “Last time you saw me I was stuck by that dresser in the corner and couldn’t get out. This time … Read more
Here’s my latest column at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Secrets to making your environment ’emotionally healing’ Back when I worked in psych, one of our most effective tools to improve mental health was maintaining a healing emotional environment, or therapeutic milieu. That’s why I was shocked when I first entered long-term care. I couldn’t believe … Read more
Here’s my latest article in Long-Term Living Magazine online: What design features do LTC residents most want? The psychologist walked into Mrs. Winters’ room and found her in the corner, muttering under her breath. “Is everything okay?” the psychologist asked, concerned. Mrs. Winters was usually a calm lady, but today her face was tight with … Read more
Here’s my latest article on Long-Term Living magazine online: Reducing antipsychotic medications? Try these behavioral interventions With the recent focus on reducing antipsychotics in long-term care and substituting behavioral interventions, facilities may be left wondering what interventions to use and how to implement them. Here are ideas on how to prevent, investigate and monitor agitation on your … Read more