Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Battling depression: Advice on how to make seniors feel valued by others Research shows that the rate of depression among elders in senior residences is 24% to 27%. It’s not that every fourth resident you greet in the hallway is depressed. It’s that we should be … Read more
Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The keys to reducing turnover in long-term care “They keep giving me these new aides and they don’t know what they’re doing,” a disgruntled resident commented during a psychotherapy session. “You’re not the first person to tell me that,” I replied, looking for a way to … Read more
Here’s my latest article at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Suicide risk in LTC: Effective protocols may not be what you think According to researchers, 11% to 43% of LTC residents have thoughts of suicide1-3, with higher rates in larger facilities and in those with more staff turnover4. Other stressors include medical illness, the presence of … Read more
Here’s my latest article at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Absenteeism and turnover in LTC? Death anxiety could be the cause I started working in long-term care when I was in my early 30s and I was shocked at first when the residents died. I was used to falling in love with my patients — I … Read more
Check out my article, 4 Ways Psychology Can Improve Your Bottom Line, featured on Long-Term Living Magazine’s online site: It’s common knowledge that mental health and physical health are connected, but are you aware that applying mental health concepts to your organization could save you money? Observe the four theories below and my hypothetical long-term care … Read more
I read some helpful ideas on working with residents with dementia in the most recent Psychologists in Long-Term Care newsletter (Vol. 25, Issue 2-3). Psychologist Nancy Hoffman, PsyD, discusses research findings and her interview with Lucy Andrews, RN, MS, owner of At Your Service Homecare in Santa Rosa, California. The main points to consider: Agitation often … Read more
“Come on now, Vera, honey,” the nurse said in a high-pitched, sing-song voice, “be a good girl and take this nice candy.” Vera swung her arm and knocked the tiny cups of pills to the floor. In their 2009 study, Elderspeak Commnunication: Impact on Dementia Care, Kristine N. Williams, RN, PhD, and her colleagues … Read more
“Excuse me,” I said to the lady sitting across from the nursing station. “We’ve been saying hello for a while. I’m Dr. Barbera, the psychologist. You’re Ms. Patel, right?” “Yes, that’s right.” She looked up at me from her wheelchair and smiled. “Nice to meet you.” “You too. Listen, I wanted to ask you a … Read more
Recent psychology research* showed reduced levels of agitation in nursing home residents with dementia, some to the point of not being considered agitated at all. This promising study used a structured yes/no list to find the types of activities the residents found pleasurable either now or in the past, such as listening to jazz music … Read more
There’s an interesting article about stroke rehabilitation by Tori DeAngelis in the March 2010 issue of the Monitor on Psychology. In “New help for stroke survivors,” she writes about research showing that a “transfer package” is an essential component in maintaining the gains of inpatient rehab once the patient returns home. The transfer package includes … Read more