Patients receiving antihistamines to suppress stomach acid are at greater risk of infection from Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, a common cause of diarrhea, Mayo Clinic researchers have found. Read More »
A new program of self-management of chronic conditions is designed to provide seniors with the tools to take charge of their conditions to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Read More »
Those who suffer a stroke may want the emergency medical staff to be busy texting instead of using an overhead paging system, a new study finds. Read More »
Knowledge about the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers has come a long way, but has it come far enough to prevent and reduce the incidence of this problem in long-term care? Read More »
When long-term care residents perceive control over what is generally a highly structured new environment, it helps them cope with stressors, reduces their depression and anxiety and increases their satisfaction with care. Read More »
A new study identifies predictors of complications and mortality following a hip fracture, including dialysis, cardiac disease, diabetes and a longer time before surgery—the only modifiable risk factor when patients are hospitalized. Read More »
The days of antibiotics being a "silver bullet" are long over, especially in nursing homes. And when it comes to antibiotic medication, more isn't necessarily better. The challenge of treating bacterial infections without inadvertently creating new resistant bacterial strains has LTC facilities stuck between a rock and a hard place. Read More »
A new study has found a link between the activity levels of elderly people who have just been released from the hospital and the risk that they will require readmission within 30 days. Read More »
Cardiology researchers discover that the latest help in reducing readmissions of those with chronic heart failure may come from a drug considered as "old hat" 10 years ago. Read More »
Colon cancer screenings save thousands of lives each year, but for those over age 75, the risks of invasive procedures like colonoscopies may outweigh the benefits, a new JAMA Internal Medicine study says. Read More »
Antipsychotic administration in the elderly is associated with an increased risk for cerebrovascular accident, more commonly known as stroke, according to findings from a new study. Read More »
New guidelines and strategies for controlling Clostridium difficile (C. diff) in long-term care facilities are among the highlights from today’s Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) educational conference in Baltimore. Read More »
It’s said that no one can turn back (or ahead) the hands of time. But, au contraire, every year on the second Monday of March, people get up, get to work bleary-eyed and try to adjust to the TIME CHANGE!!! Read More »
During bacterial outbreaks, skilled nursing facilities carry an extra burden of surveillance protocols—since the illness can roll right in the door via a patient transfer. Read More »
Trepidation about tripping? Most seniors who have taken a tumble once, will develop a fear of falling again. Helping seniors to overcome the fear of falling starts with a deep understanding of what scares them--and then empowering them to change it. Read More »
The parent company of the California senior living facility involved in a controversial 911 call responds to public outcry over corporate policies and an employee's refusal to administer CPR. Read More »
Some of the newer medications for diabetes put the resident at increased risk for acute or chronic pancreatitis, notes a recent JAMA study. Read More »
Changing medications can be difficult as Long-Term Living blogger Kathleen Mears shares her experiences in switching antidepressant medications. Read More »
Enjoying a glass of red wine not only lifts one’s spirits and reduces the risk of heart disease, but it can also help a person maintain hearing and mental acuity. Read More »
Long-term care pharmacies incur dispensing costs that are 25 percent higher than those of traditional retail pharmacies while providing additional services to meet the unique health needs of LTC residents, according to the findings of a new study. Read More »
This year's flu shot is not protecting those over 65 from influenza A, warns a new update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More »
In a new JAMA study, researchers question aggressive medical treatments that may keep terminally ill patients in acute care or skilled nursing instead of referring them to hospice care. Read More »
Nursing homes have become breeding grounds for community-assisted MRSA, a new strain of bacterial infection that can be contracted by residents, their visitors and employees. Read More »
A measure used by Medicare that penalizes hospitals for poor performance is not related to how many patients die after admittance, according to a new study. Read More »
The use of psychotropic drugs in long-term care is a significant issue that every facility deals with. This article examines a highly unusual case and also suggests what nursing facilities can expect from government regulators. Read More »
LTC providers are poised to play a big part in turning around the trend of high hospital readmissions with the ever-increasing tools and support continuing to be generated by the innovative within their own industry. Three providers share their effective strategies. Read More »
