Award-winning journalist and author Joan Lunden takes time from her busy schedule to talk with Dr. El of My Better Nursing Home about her experiences caring for her 94-year old mother and speaking with other family caregivers around the country. Dr. El: Joan, you’re part of what’s called “The Sandwich Generation,” taking care of your … Read more
Here’s my latest article at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Everything I needed to know I learned from my residents Someone posted a story I Liked on Facebook about an 85-year old woman who graduated from college and already had a job offer. “She’s my new hero!” a Friend commented. That got me thinking about all … Read more
Amazing: For more on this: Why We Need More Research into Cycling and Brain Science For more on bicycles for people with disabilities: Having Fun in a Nursing Home
I’m very pleased to announce that after several weeks of close competition, My Better Nursing Home was voted Best Industry Resource in the Senior Living Awards at SeniorHomes. Thanks for your votes and congratulations to all the winners and finalists!
Mrs. Thomas was nervous on Monday, talking about the election and how the results would affect her and the rest of the country. “I spoke to my sister and she decided to vote for him,” she told me. “I was so surprised. I’ve been voting the same way all my life and I’m not going … Read more
Psychologically speaking, it’s healthy to embrace life’s challenges and to find strength and humor within them. I sometimes suggest that residents hold an “open house” party to gather their friends and family members instead of waiting for them to visit. In my post, Having Fun in a Nursing Home, I wrote about how my residents and I … Read more
As a psychologist talking with nursing home residents, I’m honored to share their lives and hear about their pasts. We discuss their families, how to tell the aide to close the window at night, and ways in which they can make their current lives feel more like their old ones. Residents sometimes reveal traumas they’ve … Read more
Thanks to all of you who voted for me in the SeniorHomes.com Best of the Web 2012 contest. I’m now a Social Media Rockstar! The publicity helps promote my forthcoming book, The Savvy Resident’s Guide: Everything You Wanted to Know About Your Nursing Home Stay, But Were Afraid to Ask. The Web works in … Read more
Today’s post is courtesy of dietitian Wendy Wu, R.D., M.S. For more from Wendy, check out her blog at http://happydietitian.wordpress.com 25 Things You Learn When Working in a Nursing Home — Humor Intended 1. Positive attitude works wonders. Have a sense of humor. 2. Hand-washing saves lives. 3. A patient asking the same question … Read more
A 2011 study by Australian researchers focused on the use of humor to reduce agitation in nursing home residents with dementia. The Sydney Multisite Intervention of SmileBosses and ElderClowns (SMILE) study investigated the effect of providing humorous interactions with residents through the use of a character dressed like a bellhop, who kindly jokes with participants. … Read more