Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The Eldercare Method: Using psychology for positive outcomes I watched with dismay as the nurse abruptly moved a table in front of a confused and agitated resident trying to leave the dining room. “Sit down!” she told him in a stern voice. “Dinner will be here … Read more
Many readers are familiar with people with dementia who want to “go home” when staff members leave at the end of their shifts or who “shop” for belongings in the drawers of other residents. It can be challenging for staff to redirect individuals intent upon leaving and upsetting for the people who are being prevented … Read more
In the long-term care setting, we are often called upon to make difficult decisions on behalf of our elders with dementia. Some choices, such as refusing medical care, necessitate a capacity evaluation by a licensed and trained professional. Other decisions are made every day by staff and family members who desire to allow the resident … Read more
This article for families visiting relatives with dementia in long-term care appears as a guest post on Deborah Shouse Writes where Deborah Shouse, author of Love in the Land of Dementia, offers advice and support for families along their caregiving journey. Connecting in LTC: Seven Sure Ways to Have a Great Visit It wasn’t just an ordinary visit. I walked … Read more
Here’s my first article for SeniorCare.com: 4 Simple Ways Families Can Make a Difference During a Long-Term Care Stay When your mom or dad is in a long-term care home—whether it’s for rehab or a longer stay in a nursing home or assisted living—it’s a big adjustment for the whole family. Nerves are often frayed … Read more
Here’s my latest column at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The Boston Marathon explosions: Turn off the dayroom TV I was hoping not to have occasion to write another column about tragedy so soon, but the terrible events at the Boston Marathon have prompted another look at how we deal within our facilities with distressing news. … 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
Recent psychology research* showed reduced levels of agitation in nursing home residents with dementia, some to the point of not being considered agitated at all. This promising study used a structured yes/no list to find the types of activities the residents found pleasurable either now or in the past, such as listening to jazz music … Read more
In Finding Activities for Parents with Memory Loss, Dr. Cynthia Green (a psychologist!) and her readers provide excellent ideas to improve the quality of visits to nursing home residents with dementia. It’s worthwhile to read the post and comments on the New York Times’ New Old Age blog, but here’s a summary that’s a welcome … Read more
Now that I know I’m not going against State regulations (see Dr. El Goes Undercover with the NYS Department of Health), I’ll confess I love to use my iPhone with the residents. In nursing homes that don’t yet have computer access, the iPhone and other web-enabled mobile devices bring the world right to the residents. … Read more