How to find out why your staff is leaving

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: How to find out why your staff is leaving During the Q&A section of my McKnight’s Fall Expo webinar “Letting them go with style,” the conversation turned toward why staff members are leaving their long-term care positions. As I pointed out then, workers often give plausible … Read more

‘The Adventures of The Geropsychologist’!

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: ‘The Adventures of The Geropsychologist’! “The Adventures of The Geropsychologist!” Starring Dr. El as The Geropsychologist! There have been thousands of movies and TV shows about the exciting work of cops, lawyers, and hospitals, but long-term care? Fuhgeddaboutit! Here, Dr. El aims to correct that oversight … Read more

Behavioral health care — not drugs — for dementia

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Behavioral health care — not drugs — for dementia Antipsychotic medications have proved ineffective at reducing the symptoms associated with dementia. They also have serious side effects in older adults, including restlessness, dizziness, higher likelihood of falls and other problems that can contribute to an increased … Read more

7 powerful ways to deliver family-centered care

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: 7 powerful ways to deliver family-centered care When families seek mental health treatment, it’s often because of a “problem child.” Family therapists consider this person to be the “identified patient” and recognize that the troubled individual is part of a family unit whose members all benefit … Read more

Getting good at goodbyes

Over 1000 listeners attended my McKnight’s Fall Online Expo webinar, “Letting them go with style,” which focused on ways to use the loss of employees to strengthen your organization. McKnight’s editor Jim Berklan moderated the event and shared his thoughts about the webinar in his Daily Editor’s Notes column today. I’m gratified to hear that the talk … Read more

Dr. El presenting at McKnight’s Fall Expo 9/9!

It’s time for McKnight’s Fall Online Expo! I’m pleased to be presenting at 11am ET on Wednesday, September 9th on the topic of “Letting Them Go with Style.” This free hour-long webinar will focus on how to use the loss of employees to strengthen your organization. The other two webinars will address reimbursement and technology. … Read more

The high cost of rudeness

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The high cost of rudeness A study about rudeness in the medical journal Pediatrics got me thinking about the possible effects of rudeness in long-term care. In “The Impact of Rudeness on Medical Team Performance: A Randomized Trial,” teams were subjected to rude comments by a … Read more

Spirituality in Long-Term Care

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Spirituality in Long-Term Care Last week, a New York Times article referred to the lack of training to prepare doctors to recognize the spiritual needs of their patients. Hospital physician Robert Klitzman, M.D., emphasized in the Well section article the value of meeting these needs. Psychology … Read more

Dr. El’s Shrinky LTC Fantasy

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Dr. El’s Shrinky LTC Fantasy I hung up the phone with the managed care case reviewer. The patient in question was in her late 50s, with multiple sclerosis and other physical problems that had unexpectedly interfered with her ability to return home or even to sit … Read more

Diabetes care: Take two betta fish and call me in a week

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Diabetes care: Take two betta fish and call me in a week More than 25% of the US population over the age of 65 years has diabetes1 and the numbers are far higher for those in long-term care. (Approximately one third of nursing home residents have … Read more