Life on the road as an LTC shrink
It wasn’t a world tour, but I did come away with some interesting observations regarding our field on a recent road trip.
The World According to Dr. El by Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
What worries me about trauma-informed care
It’s a good thing to pay more attention to the emotional experience of residents, but I’m worried about how asking them about their traumas — which is mandated in a new rule about to go into effect — will be implemented in the field.
Severely mentally ill residents: Staff training, teamwork needed
Nurses and physicians can be taught to recognize health problems typical of the severe mental illness population so that they’ll be alert to the increased risk of illnesses such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity-related cancers, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, hepatitis B/C, tuberculosis, impaired lung function, poor dental status and other concerns.
Ageism of elders affects their LTC experience
Most nursing home residents I’ve encountered ironically have their own prejudices about aging and older adults. This is harmful in a variety of ways.
Secret shoppers in LTC
While long-term care facilities might not be able to gather information easily from sham residents, SNF leaders who want to illuminate the important, human details behind dry customer service statistics might find these ideas useful.
If toileting were a billable service …
Imagine how things would change if toileting were a billable service. It might not be as laughable as it first appears.
Enhancing resident independence
As we celebrate our freedoms in the country this week, perhaps we can consider ways in which to create a better balance between the need to provide a safe environment for residents and their right to make their own choices.
Meeting behavioral health needs begins with stable staffing
The first step in the process of addressing the behavioral health needs of nursing home residents is to improve staff retention.
What if nursing homes had a ‘well-being budget’?
To improve the mental health of those who live in nursing homes, my well-being initiative would first tend to the mental health of those who work in long-term care. If employees aren’t emotionally well-balanced, it’s much more difficult for their charges to be.
Ways to increase trust, reduce hospital transfers
I’ve learned from experience that there are numerous ways facilities can address family concerns and reduce potential hospital transfers. They center on educating residents and families, and on setting reasonable
Preventing violence in long-term care
Instead of accepting aggressive behaviors as normal, facilities would be wise to approach then as anomalies that can and should be addressed.
The added value of social workers and psychosocial services
It might be a surprise to some, but social workers will pay for themselves — as in bring in enough revenue to cover the cost of their salaries.
Benefits of acknowledging success
Dealing with extensive regulations, reimbursement challenges, elaborate documentation requirements and a punitive environment can erode the joy of helping elders. Acclamation for accomplishments, on the other hand, can bring joyfulness back to the job.
Why Five-Star ratings should measure staff retention, not staff ratios
If we shift to a system that measures staff retention rather than staff ratios, the whole picture changes.
12 steps to starting a new job with serenity
You’re not imagining things. Yes, they are checking you out if it’s your first day on the job. Here are 12 steps that may make such transitions more manageable.
How to quit like a shrink
There are entire volumes devoted to the psychological process of termination, but I’ve created a quick guide based on my experiences with leave-taking in long-term care.
Sleep deprivation and pain
Despite the fact that my search for column inspiration took place at 3 a.m., I chose the topic of sleep deprivation because residents regularly tell me about their own sleep disturbances. They also discuss their pain.
Self-care, team-care and an empty well
While it’s tempting for organizations to meet staffing needs with someone who always says yes, good managers recognize that such requests can push employees to the brink.
Severely mentally ill residents: A ‘perfect storm’ creates a SNF wave
The severely mentally ill population is increasing in skilled nursing facilities and action is needed. This explores the impact of this change and strategies to manage care.
A gift from LTC families
A study of interactions between families and healthcare providers is worth knowing about. Family members can be experts for us on their loved ones’ medical history and behavior.
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