Most recent articles by Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Your best competitive advantage? A solid social work department
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 05, 2013
I have great respect for those who attend to the often complicated physical needs of our long-term care residents, but if your facility doesn’t have a solid social service department, it isn’t...
Secrets to making your environment ’emotionally healing’
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 22, 2013
Back when I worked in psych, one of our most effective tools to improve mental health was maintaining a healing emotional environment, or therapeutic milieu. That’s why I was shocked when I first...
Inside the mind of an LTC shrink
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 08, 2013
I sat in morning report as the nursing supervisor announced the arrival of a new resident. An 80-year old woman was taken to the hospital after a fall at home, where she received a below-knee amputation...
Helping your LTC community cope in the wake of Hurricane Sandy
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Nov 07, 2012
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, long-term care facilities may be wondering how to help their own residents, families, and staff members or those directly affected by this devastating storm.
Long-term care psychologists often can help prevent rehospitalizations
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Oct 09, 2012
Long-term care psychologists are a valuable resource for facilities looking to reduce their hospital readmission rates.
The ‘single’ boom: problems and solutions for long-term care
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 27, 2012
Demographic trends suggest we need to prepare for increasing numbers of residents without close relatives. Here are four ways we can expect this shift to impact our residents, and suggestions for how we...
After natural disasters: coping with resident and staff emotions
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 29, 2011
The Northeast just experienced an earthquake and a hurricane all in one week. The storm may have subsided, but it’s likely residents and staff will still be facing a whirlwind of emotions. And it’s...
Improving the treatment of mental health issues in nursing homes
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 01, 2010
More attention should be paid to nursing home residents’ mental health, an important but often overlooked aspect of care.
Coping in the wake of the North Carolina nursing home shooting
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 30, 2009
It would not be unusual if you, your staff or residents were experiencing shock or grief as a result of the fatal shooting at the North Carolina nursing home. Being aware of how you are feeling is one...
Long-term care residents can benefit from the Internet, too
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Dec 17, 2008
The Internet can be a fun and therapeutic tool for long-term care residents. Among its uses: teaching residents about diagnoses, providing a social outlet, and serving as a resource for stimulating information.