Medicare has long invested in the coverage of prescription drugs to treat chronic diseases. But a growing number of people think Medicare is missing the boat by not covering medications used to treat obesity. Read More »
A judge rules physicians are no longer able to make end-of-life decisions for nursing home residents, citing the 1992 state law violates residents' constitutional rights. Read More »
When it comes to culture change, put your awareness where your mouth is. What you say—and how you say it—affects the dynamics of staff/resident relationships, especially in dementia care. Read More »
The American Diabetes Association has issued its first position on managing diabetes in long term care facilities in response to the growing number of residents with type 2 diabetes. Read More »
A medical student designed a glove to give back control topeople with Parkinson's disease. The glove uses gyroscopes to steady hand movement, allowing people to feed themselves again. Read More »
Hearing and balance manufacturer GN Otometrics has developed a series of tests to help balance professionals diagnose and treat Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Read More »
Racial and ethnic minority populations are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days for certain chronic conditions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is exploring the relationship readmission rates and diversity. Read More »
Social work interns are assets to long-term care facilities. They can help bridge gaps and facilitate conversations among departments, residents and loved ones. They can help pick up slack and breathe new life into a team whose members are often overworked and understaffed. Read More »
The latest FDA approval could open new doors for treatment of Parkinson's disease, stroke and brain injury, while improving gait and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Read More »
Researchers tried to quantify the mental and physical health benefits of pet ownership among older LGBT adults, particularly those in assisted living facilities, retirement homes or rental apartments. A majority of pet owners said their fur babies keep them active, help them meet people and offer unconditional love. Read More »
A proposed state bill would allow Utah assisted living residents to install monitoring equipment in their rooms. Surveillance is intended to protect residents from abuse and theft, but it raises even more questions about safety and privacy. Read More »
Several companies, backed by major investors and big pharma, are working to develop prescription video games. They're interested in video game therapy as an extension of treatments for a variety of mental illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease. Read More »
The Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare has a new tool that has helped many hospitals lower their falls rates by one-third. Can its methodology help your long-term care facility do the same for one of Medicare's "never events"? Read More »
Treating elderly residents—especially those with dementia—with antipsychotics requires a careful balance between medication and behavioral treatments. Read More »
New recommendations for the delivery of quality care for geriatric surgical patients were released today by the American College of Surgeons and American Geriatrics Society. Read More »
Researchers found an extra hour of therapy for seniors recovering from hip fractures in Skilled Nursing Facilities saw improved outcomes, though seniors with the highest levels of impairment saw no benefit. Read More »
Most recommendations for osteoarthritis tend to favor low-impact exercise, but some research indicates that if the osteoarthritis is mild, a little bit of higher impact exercise might do a lot more good. Read More »
New residents can struggle to combat their fears and find a way to feel useful, but everyone can help them adjust, says resident blogger Kathleen Mears. Read More »
Canadian music icon John Mann has early-onset Alzheimer's disease, and medications on the market haven't been effective. He will go to Mexico for experimental stem cell therapy. Read More »
A multi-year study of norovirus outbreaks at long-term care facilities found seniors are more prone to contracting the virus, suffer severe outbreaks and shed the virus for at least three weeks. People usually get better within one to three days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More »
Patient safety events reveal healthcare organizations are concerned about alarm hazards, IV mix-ups, failure to conduct independent double checks, inadequate patient handoffs and medication errors. These are all new to the ECRI Institute’s annual list. Read More »
Everyone has “internal timing genes” that regulate sleep and wake cycles and other body processes. New research shows older people might have an internal clock that younger people don’t. Could this provide a clue on sundowning? Read More »
Occupational therapy can promote healing, independence and well-being for residents, but all too often treatments are misunderstood or missing. That prevents barriers to providing the best possible care for long-term care residents. Read More »
Men with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy are nearly two times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research findings. Read More »
The holidays aren't happy for some people, but resident blogger Kathy Mears reminds us how to be in charge of our own joy--and perhaps help others to do the same. Read More »
Which states have the healthiest environments for seniors? Which regions are hotbeds of unhealthy habits? New data shows how healthy environments and the graying of America are dovetailing. Read More »
As obesity rates among older demographics continue to increase, will skilled nursing facilities have the equipment, staff and knowledge to care for them? Maybe not, according to recent findings. Read More »
