Reducing antipsych meds: 5 ways psychologists can help
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 04, 2014
With the mandate to reduce the use of antipsychotics, many facilities are looking for alternative methods to address the behaviors often associated with dementia. There are several good resources available...
Deadline for mental health plan comments midnight Monday
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 15, 2014
Advocates for better mental health services for adults will be pressing until at least midnight Monday to have comments submitted to include seniors in a new federal behavioral health plan,
The very anxious resident: A team approach
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 15, 2014
I’ve developed a set of suggestions for working with “challenging,” anxious residents, who can disrupt everyone around them. If caregivers don’t have sound strategies like these,...
The Eldercare Method: Using psychology for positive outcomes
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 03, 2014
Those of us in long-term care have undoubtedly witnessed incidents where residents become agitated and staff members don’t have the tools to prevent or manage their distress. Unfortunately, psychologists...
Stuff I’ve done for residents as a long-term care shrink
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Dec 31, 2013
Many of us in long-term care think of our jobs as a calling. We handle the day-to-day tasks and the business as usual but also get a lot of energy and joy out of taking our work one step further. Here...
6 common problems a shrink on staff can solve (and your consultant can’t)
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Aug 22, 2013
As a psychologist consulting in long-term care facilities, I provided a lot more than I was paid for, because it was needed. But there was much more help that I didn’t offer, not only because I wasn’t...
Young adults in long-term care: a new resource for caregivers
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 27, 2013
Nearly one in seven nursing home residents is now under the age of 65, and the number could rise. That’s creating challenges for caregiving staffs that could blossom into big problems — if caregivers...
A savvy caregiver’s resource
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 31, 2012
If there is anyone who knows how to get inside the head of a troubled long-term care resident, it is Eleanor Feldman Barbera. Better than that is the fact that this talented nursing home psychologist is...
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.