McKnight’s Long-Term Care News

Creating Better Deaths in Long-Term Care

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Creating Better Deaths in Long-Term Care I walked into Mr. Hobart’s room, ready for my initial evaluation. He was a thin, graying man whose loose clothes hung in folds around him. He’d spent every day last week in chemo. He spoke quietly, discussing his estrangement from … Read more

The Goodbye Guide: Why and how to terminate tenderly in LTC

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The Goodbye Guide: Why and how to terminate tenderly in LTC An experienced colleague was recently let go from her job to which she’d been dedicated for 10 years. “We want to take things in a different direction,” she was told by the administrator. “Pack up … Read more

Harnessing gratitude

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Harnessing Gratitude Though it was close to 20 years ago, I’ll never forget the reaction of one of my patients to losing both of her legs to diabetes. “I’m 81 years old and I’ve traveled and danced as much as I could. I wasn’t sick a … Read more

Psychologists open up about LTC sex and dementia

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Psychologists open up about LTC sex and dementia A recent Iowa court case acquitted Henry Rayhons of sexually abusing his wife, who had Alzheimer’s dementia and lived in a nursing home. The case not only prompted national debate, it led those in long-term care to consider … Read more

The Many Riches of Senior Living Conferences

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The Many Riches of Senior Living Conferences I’ve been fortunate enough to attend several senior living conventions recently and my enthusiasm for the experience has yet to diminish. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to be present for a conference (or if it’s been a … Read more

‘Okie El’ rocks out, and then veges out

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: ‘Okie El’ rocks out, and then veges out Given that the bulk of my prior knowledge of Oklahoma came from a 72-year-old musical performed by my class during grade school, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I arrived in Norman for the 2015 Oklahoma … Read more

Loneliness in LTC: Overcoming disability, creating connections

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Loneliness in LTC: Overcoming disability, creating connections The elevator opened up to the third floor of the skilled nursing facility. Wheelchair-bound residents lined the hall across from the nursing station, some silently watching the staff, some snoozing. On the second floor of the nursing home, the … Read more

Dialysis: Gauging its need, and how to reduce its stress

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Dialysis: Gauging its need, and how to reduce its stress As a psychologist observing the effects of medical interventions on the mental health of the long-term care resident, I often ask, “Is this aggressive procedure helping?” Such a well-intended question can prompt the team to reconsider … Read more

NET Therapy: Dementia Care Best Practices + Rehab = Success

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: NET Therapy: Dementia care best practices + Rehab = Success When I learned about Neurocognitive Engagement Therapy for rehabilitation residents, I had the same reaction I did when I first heard about geriatric emergency rooms: Palm-smack to the forehead, “Why didn’t we think of this before?!” … Read more