Category: Psychology Research Translated

Absenteeism and turnover in LTC? Death anxiety could be the cause (McKnight’s LTC News)

Posted by Dr. El - May 3, 2013 - Business Strategies, Common Nursing Home Problems and How Psychologists Can Solve Them, Communication, End of life, McKnight's Long-Term Care News, Motivating staff, Psychology Research Translated

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 [...]

4 Ways Psychology Can Improve Your Bottom Line (Long-Term Living Mag online)

Posted by Dr. El - February 28, 2012 - Business Strategies, Common Nursing Home Problems and How Psychologists Can Solve Them, Long-Term Living Magazine, Psychology Research Translated, Role of psychologists

Check out my article, 4 Ways Psychology Can Improve Your Bottom Line, featured on Long-Term Living Magazine’s online site: It’s common knowledge that mental health and physical health are connected, but are you aware that applying mental health concepts to your organization could save you money? Observe the four theories below and my hypothetical long-term care [...]

Agitation and Dementia: Tips to Calm Residents

Posted by Dr. El - November 7, 2011 - Communication, Psychology Research Translated, Resident care

I read some helpful ideas on working with residents with dementia in the most recent Psychologists in Long-Term Care newsletter (Vol. 25, Issue 2-3). Psychologist Nancy Hoffman, PsyD, discusses research findings and her interview with Lucy Andrews, RN, MS, owner of At Your Service Homecare in Santa Rosa, California. The main points to consider: Agitation often [...]

Elderspeak and Resistance to Care

Posted by Dr. El - August 17, 2011 - Communication, Customer service, Medication issues, Psychology Research Translated, Resident care

“Come on now, Vera, honey,” the nurse said in a high-pitched, sing-song voice, “be a good girl and take this nice candy.” Vera swung her arm and knocked the tiny cups of pills to the floor. In their 2009 study, Elderspeak Commnunication: Impact on Dementia Care, Kristine N. Williams, RN, PhD, and her colleagues [...]

Helping Others: Residents Like It Too

Posted by Dr. El - May 16, 2011 - Depression/Mental illness/Substance Abuse, Psychology Research Translated

“Excuse me,” I said to the lady sitting across from the nursing station. ”We’ve been saying hello for a while. I’m Dr. Barbera, the psychologist. You’re Ms. Patel, right?” “Yes, that’s right.” She looked up at me from her wheelchair and smiled. ”Nice to meet you.” “You too. Listen, I wanted to ask you a [...]

Reducing Agitation in Residents with Dementia Using Preferred Activities

Posted by Dr. El - June 8, 2010 - Dementia, Psychology Research Translated, Resident care

Recent psychology research* showed reduced levels of agitation in nursing home residents with dementia, some to the point of not being considered agitated at all. This promising study used a structured yes/no list to find the types of activities the residents found pleasurable either now or in the past, such as listening to jazz music [...]

"Transfer Package" Helps Make the Most of Stroke Rehabilitation

Posted by Dr. El - April 13, 2010 - Communication, Psychology Research Translated, Transitions in care

There’s an interesting article about stroke rehabilitation by Tori DeAngelis in the March 2010 issue of the Monitor on Psychology. In “New help for stroke survivors,” she writes about research showing that a “transfer package” is an essential component in maintaining the gains of inpatient rehab once the patient returns home. The transfer package includes [...]

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.