As a psychologist who has worked with many younger residents over the years, I’d like to offer my perspective and some suggestions about how to create an environment in which younger residents can flourish and staff time can be devoted to care rather than to behavior problems. Today’s young residents are pointing out flaws in our system we need to address now before the baby boomers arrive. The generation of older adults who believe that “doctor knows best” will be gone...
Dr. El will never share your email address!
Recent Blog Posts
Is your workplace psychologically healthy? (McKnight’s LTC News)
Here’s my latest article at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Is Your Workplace Psychologically Healthy? In long-term care we spend a lot of time focused on the physical health of those in our care. With increased emphasis on culture change and the update to the MDS (and hopefully as a result of this column), we’ve begun [...]
Read More
Absenteeism and turnover in LTC? Death anxiety could be the cause (McKnight’s LTC News)
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
The Boston Marathon explosions: Turn off the dayroom TV (McKnight’s LTC News)
Here’s my latest column at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: The Boston Marathon explosions: Turn off the dayroom TV I was hoping not to have occasion to write another column about tragedy so soon, but the terrible events at the Boston Marathon have prompted another look at how we deal within our facilities with distressing news. [...]
Read More
Your best competitive advantage? A solid social work department (McKnight’s LTC News)
Here’s my latest column at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Your best competitive advantage? A solid social work department 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 as good as it could [...]
Read More
The Savvy Resident’s Guide reviewed by the Happy Dietitian
I’m pleased to share this review of The Savvy Resident’s Guide by the Happy Dietitian: A foodie at heart with a passion for nutrition. Thank you, Wendy! Medical Staff, Stop With the Candy Crush and Read This Book Don’t let the cover and title fool you, this book isn’t just for residents’ of nursing homes. The [...]
Read More
Dr. El speaks with The Practice Institute, Tuesday 4/9 @1pm ET
I was on the plane home from the American Psychological Association conference last August when I noticed that the man across from me had the same APA conference tote I was carrying. My friendly inquiry led to a very pleasant 3-hour conversation on the flight with psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Zimmerman of The Practice Institute. The [...]
Read More
Small changes have big impact on LTC residents’ sense of control, autonomy (LTL mag online)
Here’s my latest article in Long-Term Living Magazine online: Small changes have big impact on LTC residents’ sense of control, autonomy When the psychologist arrived at Mrs. Winters’ room, she found her distraught and disheveled. “Last time you saw me I was stuck by that dresser in the corner and couldn’t get out. This time [...]
Read More
Secrets to making your environment emotionally healing: McKnight’s LTC News
Here’s my latest column at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Secrets to making your environment ‘emotionally healing’ 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 entered long-term care. I couldn’t believe [...]
Read More
McKnight’s Online Expo, FREE, March 20th and 21st
Once again, McKnight’s will host its annual online expo, which is a chance to attend a conference without leaving your desk. Register for the conference in advance, and then log in to hear the talks, visit the vendors, and chat with the reps and attendees. This year’s topics are: PAYMENT An MDS 3.0 Update March [...]
Read More
The World According to Dr. El debuts on McKnight’s LTC News
I’m very pleased to announce the debut of my new column at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. The World According to Dr. El is a twice monthly column that will address mental health issues in LTC. Please visit and “Like” the page on McKnight’s to show your support for addressing the mental health concerns of all [...]
Read More
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, PhD, author of