Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Care model for more than just medical condition needed in long-term care Of the most efficient countries for healthcare, the United States ranks second in healthcare costs per capita but 46th in efficiency (out of the 48 countries ranked!). The move from a biomedical to a … Read more
Here’s my latest article at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Suicide risk in LTC: Effective protocols may not be what you think According to researchers, 11% to 43% of LTC residents have thoughts of suicide1-3, with higher rates in larger facilities and in those with more staff turnover4. Other stressors include medical illness, the presence of … 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: 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
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
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
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
It was previously thought that seniors who are anxious about falling tend to avoid activities that could lead to falls, thus becoming de-conditioned and increasing fall risk. New research, however, suggests that anxiety about falling itself can increase fall risk. Hadjistavropoulos, T. et al. asked older adults to walk either in a low anxiety situation … Read more
“I watched them take my father into the ambulance on a stretcher, and it was then I realized that my mother didn’t make it.” The TV was blaring as I entered the room for my session with Grace, who was being treated for depression. “WHAT are you listening to?” I asked Grace incredulously, feeling my … 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