Psychology Research Translated

Trend #5: Re-Envisioning Long-Term Care

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The American Psychological Association published an article in the APA Monitor on “Trends to Watch in 2019.” I was pleased to see that geropsychology was Trend #5. Read what my colleagues and I have to say in Tori DeAngelis’ piece on Re-Envisioning Long-Term Care.

To reduce burnout and turnover, improve family-staff relationships

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: To reduce burnout and turnover, improve family-staff relationships Earlier this month, I took some much-needed time off to go on a cruise. I came home to a LinkedIn notification about “The big cost of not taking vacation,” reflecting on a CNN article regarding the vast number … Read more

Depression – AND its treatments – are fall risks

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Depression – AND its treatments – are fall risks Feeling “down” takes on a wicked double-meaning for some seniors. Even conscientious providers could be unaware of it, let alone know what to do about it. As McKnight’s Staff Writer Emily Mongan points out in “Depression treatments … Read more

Help for hoarders, and those who care for them

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Help for hoarders, and those who care for them It can be challenging for long-term care providers when residents amass large quantities of possessions. Facilities generally worry about hoarding when the amount of belongings prohibits the resident or staff members from safely moving about their room … Read more

Using light to improve sleep, reduce agitation

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Using light to improve sleep, reduce agitation Poor sleep, reversed sleep/wake cycles, depression and falls are common problems in older adults. In addition, elders with dementia frequently experience late afternoon agitation, or “sundowning.” Because our residents live in a communal environment, a single individual’s agitation or … Read more

Growing Good

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Growing Good Woohoo! My first column of 2016. Which was started during a bout of insomnia in the last week of 2015. What did I do when sleep failed me? What electronics-addicted individuals often do in the middle of the night. I grabbed my computer, caught … Read more

Behavioral health care — not drugs — for dementia

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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

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

Use ‘nudge principles’ in LTC to prompt staff in the right direction

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Use ‘nudge principles’ in LTC to prompt staff in the right direction Standing by the salad bar in the newly opened restaurant, I recoiled at the sign that read, “Please don’t use your hands.” I suggested to the manager that the notice should instead advise diners … Read more

Preventing burnout in long-term care (McKnight’s LTC News)

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Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Preventing burnout in long-term care In my recent post, “Stuff I won’t do for residents and why your staff shouldn’t either,” I wrote about the need for individual workers to set appropriate boundaries around caregiving in order to retain the ability to give without burning out. … Read more