Creating Meaningful, Satisfying Lives One Person at a Time
Sex, Drugs, and Rolling Walkers: The Future of Long-term Care
Advances in medical science have made it possible for people to live longer than ever imagined. The numbers of people living well into their 90s and beyond continues to grow. Whether or not those added years are worth living depends on the individual's circumstances at the time. Are you concerned about aging? Do you worry about getting Alzheimer’s disease or having a stroke or a heart attack? Have you thought about what will happen when life gets in your way and you can no longer do as you please? In a culture that worships youth and questions the support of growing numbers of elderly, dependent people, the time is now to begin thinking about your future self. The residential long-term care industry faces major challenges in regulation, finance, and staffing that may cause today's nursing homes to disappear, leaving many with few options for the care and support they will need in the future. Planning today for a healthier tomorrow will help you overcome many of the challenges that lead to dependency as we age. (Paperback & Kindle – November 15, 2025)
Trauma-Informed Care and Behavioral Health Services: Achieving Compliance in Long-Term Care
This resource guide is designed to assist the interdisciplinary team in understanding the full scope of responsibility under the regulations for Trauma-Informed Care and Behavioral Health Services. Each section offers an overview of the regulatory requirements, highlights on how to interpret the intent of the requirement, and the steps the team will want to focus on to evaluate compliance and identify areas in need of review and potential revision. (Paperback & Kindle – March 23, 2019)
Why is Grandma Screaming? A Practical Guide to Improving Quality of Life in Long Term Care.
In Why Is Grandma Screaming?, Barbara Speedling opens a provocative conversation on the impact of the changing demographics in long term care on quality of life for those being served. Access to mental health facilities, homeless shelters and other public or residential services for people of all ages with mental illness, substance abuse issues, complicated social circumstances and other complex needs has dwindled in a wounded economy. The nursing home environment is fast becoming an uncomfortable mix of ages, circumstances, and medical and psychiatric needs. Advances in medicine have added years to the average life span, with little attention given to ensuring that those added years are worth living for those who live dependently in our nation’s nursing homes. After many years of observing and interacting with dependent people, Speedling offers practical guidance for transforming a one-size-fits-all nursing home into a quality living environment for every individual. (Paperback & Kindle – June 12, 2014 )
Toward Better Behavior: Yours. Mine, and Everyone Else's A Strategy for Improving the Assessment and Long-Term Care Planning Process.
As the long-term care demographics continue to shift and diversify, the greater the need to understand people as individuals. Achieving such understanding presents new challenges and considerations in assessment and care planning. While long-term care facilities once cared almost exclusively for the frail elderly, many of whom had also been diagnosed with dementia, today’s populations are far more varied in age, disability, and psychosocial circumstances. That makes understanding “what makes someone tick” more complicated, at best. This book provides professional caregivers a framework for developing an assessment process that results in a deeper understanding of what motivates someone to do what they do. With greater understanding comes a more focused, personalized plan to accommodate the complicated needs of every individual. (Paperback & Kindle – November 17, 2017)
REVIEWS
William J. Bogdanovich, CNHA President & CEO Broad Reach Healthcare
In “Why is Grandma Screaming”, Barbara Speedling took on some of the most difficult situations faced by us all, from frontline caregivers to medical staff to senior leadership. She presented them provocatively and challenged all to think about how we can rethink approaches, breaking history and habit to create new levels of accomplishment, and even more importantly, greater success for those entrusted to our care. Across the board, my care community of skilled nursing, assisted living, hospice and outpatient rehab was not just enlightened with the insights offered, but inspired by the powerful delivery. It’s reminded us of what really matters, and helps us remember that every day!
Kyle R. Nordine, LNHA, President and CEO Northfield Retirement Community
Barbara’s first book, "Why is Grandma Screaming?" is a compelling look into the importance of fully understanding the key components of truly caring for our residents and loved one’s. I liked the book so much that I had Barbara come and talk with my staff in person. I highly recommend this reading.