Psychosocial Care Is Basic, Improves Medical Outcomes, and Can Be Taught—But Must Be Better Understood

A few years back, I was part of research team collecting data in a nursing home from residents, staff, and family members for a study about end-of-life care. Most of the residents in the study were older adults in the late stages of advanced chronic illness. On this particular day, after collecting data in the morning, I took a break and plopped down on a lounge chair in front of the TV alongside half a dozen residents at various stages of listening to the Maury Povitch show. Two men railed at the TV from their wheelchairs.