Category: For Fun

Joan Lunden speaks with Dr. El on Eldercare

Posted by Dr. El - June 5, 2013 - Anecdotes, Boomers, Communication, Engaging with families, For Fun

Award-winning journalist and author Joan Lunden takes time from her busy schedule to talk with Dr. El of My Better Nursing Home about her experiences caring for her 94-year old mother and speaking with other family caregivers around the country. Dr. El: Joan, you’re part of what’s called “The Sandwich Generation,” taking care of your [...]

Everything I needed to know I learned from my residents (McKnight’s LTC News)

Posted by Dr. El - May 30, 2013 - Anecdotes, For Fun, Inspiration, Personal Reflections, Something Good About Nursing Homes

Here’s my latest article at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Everything I needed to know I learned from my residents Someone posted a story I Liked on Facebook about an 85-year old woman who graduated from college and already had a job offer. “She’s my new hero!” a Friend commented. That got me thinking about all [...]

Cycling Transforms Parkinsons (video)

Posted by Dr. El - March 8, 2013 - For Fun, For Recreation Staff, For Rehab Therapists, Inspiration, Tips for gifts, visits, Videos

Amazing: For more on this: Why We Need More Research into Cycling and Brain Science For more on bicycles for people with disabilities: Having Fun in a Nursing Home

MBNH Wins as Best Industry Resource!

Posted by Dr. El - February 20, 2013 - For Fun, Inspiration, Nominations/Awards

I’m very pleased to announce that after several weeks of close competition, My Better Nursing Home was voted Best Industry Resource in the Senior Living Awards at SeniorHomes. Thanks for your votes and congratulations to all the winners and finalists!

Election Results (A Brief Anecdote)

Posted by Dr. El - November 7, 2012 - Anecdotes, For Fun

Mrs. Thomas was nervous on Monday, talking about the election and how the results would affect her and the rest of the country. “I spoke to my sister and she decided to vote for him,” she told me. ”I was so surprised. I’ve been voting the same way all my life and I’m not going [...]

Coping with Loss by Embracing Life

Posted by Dr. El - June 21, 2012 - For Fun, Inspiration

Psychologically speaking, it’s healthy to embrace life’s challenges and to find strength and humor within them. I sometimes suggest that residents hold an “open house” party to gather their friends and family members instead of waiting for them to visit. In my post, Having Fun in a Nursing Home, I wrote about how my residents and I [...]

Nursing Home Residents: Favorite Quotes from “People of Age”

Posted by Dr. El - May 16, 2012 - For Fun

As a psychologist talking with nursing home residents, I’m honored to share their lives and hear about their pasts. We discuss their families, how to tell the aide to close the window at night, and ways in which they can make their current lives feel more like their old ones. Residents sometimes reveal traumas they’ve [...]

Thanks to YOU, I’m a Social Media Rockstar!

Posted by Dr. El - March 15, 2012 - For Fun, Nominations/Awards

Thanks to all of you who voted for me in the SeniorHomes.com Best of the Web 2012 contest. I’m now a Social Media Rockstar! The publicity helps promote my forthcoming book, The Savvy Resident’s Guide: Everything You Wanted to Know About Your Nursing Home Stay, But Were Afraid to Ask. The Web works in [...]

25 Things You Learn When Working in a Nursing Home — Humor Intended, by Wendy Wu, R.D., M.S.

Posted by Dr. El - January 17, 2012 - For Fun

Today’s post is courtesy of dietitian Wendy Wu, R.D., M.S. For more from Wendy, check out her blog at http://happydietitian.wordpress.com 25 Things You Learn When Working in a Nursing Home — Humor Intended 1. Positive attitude works wonders. Have a sense of humor. 2. Hand-washing saves lives. 3. A patient asking the same question [...]

Using Humor to Reduce Agitation in Dementia Residents

Posted by Dr. El - January 4, 2012 - Communication, For Fun, Resident care

A 2011 study by Australian researchers focused on the use of humor to reduce agitation in nursing home residents with dementia. The Sydney Multisite Intervention of SmileBosses and ElderClowns (SMILE) study investigated the effect of providing humorous interactions with residents through the use of a character dressed like a bellhop, who kindly jokes with participants. [...]

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About Dr. El

Eleanor Feldman Barbera, PhD, author of The Savvy Resident's Guide, is a speaker and consultant sharing insights gleaned over sixteen years as a nursing home psychologist. She’s been in resident rooms and at the nursing stations, talking with residents, families, line staff, and administrators. She’s spoken with policy makers and CEOs of large chain nursing homes, with researchers, and watchdog agencies. Dr. El can teach you how to create a nursing home where EVERYBODY thrives.