Available Services

For the last two years, I’ve been approaching eldercare from a different angle – that of adult daughter. While I’m still available for speaking engagements, I’ve shifted my work to a virtual private practice where I offer psychotherapy services (for those in New York State) and eldercare coaching for all. To set up a free … Read more

A hopeful day at LeadingAge 2018

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: A hopeful day at LeadingAge 2018 I headed to the 2018 LeadingAge convention last week looking for a fix of long-term care enthusiasm and that’s exactly what I got. I met up with old colleagues, put faces to voices I’d spoken to for years and wandered … Read more

The sounds of LTC

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The sounds of LTC Observing the customary cacophony at the nursing station, I’d estimate that so-called “alarm fatigue” contributes to more than a few tragedies in long-term care. Here’s one example that resulted in a lawsuit filing after a resident died when nursing staff ignored the … Read more

A truly healing yarn

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: A truly healing yarn “No,” Diane said when I showed up at her door for our Thursday session. “I don’t want to talk to you. I’m too aggravated.” She turned her head and looked out the window for a moment. “I’m surprised.” I replied. “We had … Read more

Dr. El featured on Nursing Assistant Guides podcast series

NursingAssistantGuides.com, an educational site for certified nursing assistants, has a new podcast series featuring experts in the field of geriatrics and long-term care. The podcasts offer the chance for those considering or working toward becoming a nursing assistant to get insider information about the field. I was pleased to be interviewed by registered nurse Patricia Laramee … Read more

Vacation envy, or ‘How to get your groove back’

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Vacation envy, or ‘How to get your groove back’ Perhaps, like me, you’ve recently had time off from work but the only break on the near horizon is a measly midweek Independence Day. Or maybe, like a coworker of mine, you’ve scheduled your summer vacation for … Read more

People in LTC who’ve inspired me in 2017

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: People in LTC who’ve inspired me in 2017 From the 102-year-old Hulk Hogan fan to the doting, selfless caregivers doing behind-the-scenes work, there are numerous people in long-term care who inspired me this year. Take, for example: •  The 102-year-old man, still remarkably handsome, whose favorite sport … Read more

Elder love

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Elder love I lost one of my two mothers-in-law last Monday, five weeks after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. We had expected Audrey to reach 100 years of age, like her mother, but she died shortly after her 91st birthday, having spent her 90th year … Read more

The image of LTC in the arts

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The image of LTC in the arts I was perusing The New York Times last week when I came upon an article about a play centering on my favorite topic — aging. “Singing Beach,” by playwright Tina Howe, revolves around the drama that consumes a family … Read more

The “last day” protocol

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The “last day” protocol I waited outside the room until the rehab therapists finished talking to Jim, who’d been admitted to the nursing home the night before. I read over the basic info on his face sheet before my consult. Jim was an 87-year old widower … Read more