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 article on Long-Term Living magazine online: 7 methods to educate residents about their diagnoses “Thanks, Doc, for telling me about this group!” Mr. Jones smiled and held up the magazine he’d gotten from the National Parkinson Foundation. “Except for that actor, I didn’t even know one person with Parkinson’s before I got my … Read more
Maybe it’s because I live in the New York metropolitan area, but it seems every nursing home I’ve worked in is filled with residents and staff from all over the world. I find it an exciting environment with the opportunity to learn about different cultures at every turn. Somehow, despite our differences, we make it … Read more
Here’s my latest article in Long-Term Living Magazine online: 5 reasons to educate residents about their illnesses “How long have you had Parkinson’s?” the psychologist asked Mr. Jones during his initial evaluation. “They just told me the diagnosis when I got here last week, but I suppose I’ve had it for a while.” He said … 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
Here’s my most recent article in McKnight’s Long-Term Care news online: The “Single” Boom: Problems and Solutions for Long-Term Care According to recent reports, one-third of the baby boomers who will be arriving at the doorstep of long-term care are unmarried. Many of them have no children. Just as our healthcare system relies on unpaid … Read more
Check out my article on the 10 anticipated psychosocial needs of baby boomers, now a web feature on Long-Term Living Magazine online. 10 anticipated psychosocial needs of baby boomers Consider these changes as LTC adapts to the next generation by Eleanor Feldman Barbera, PhD We’ve heard the rumblings of the coming generation in the voices of … Read more
Check out my article in Long-Term Living Magazine this month: Resident Bathing Transformed: From Endurable to Enjoyable. Interestingly, the perspectives of the residents and staff members I interviewed about showers in the nursing home corresponded with research on providing good customer service. Click on the link, or paste this into your browser — http://tinyurl.com/5u757n2 — to read about … Read more
Will you be in Toronto on October 19th, 2011? Come hear Dr. El speak at the annual convention of the Activity Professionals of Ontario. Participants will learn: How we react to working with younger residents, and how younger residents react to us as staff members. How to use this knowledge to create healthy resident/staff relationships, … Read more
“Tired CNA” posted a comment on my blog, saying she wished there were something that could be done about alert residents who ring their call bells 30 times a day. And there is. Here are some suggestions: Residents who ring their call bells frequently are often anxious, needing what seems like constant reassurance. Quell their … Read more