Shelley Silverman King, RN, explains how a Massachusetts facility uses specially trained caregivers and a room full of sensory experiences—music, lighting, hand massage, aromatherapy and other stimuli—to reach its most isolated and lonely population: its residents with advanced dementia. Read More »
A new program designed for young adults with intellectual disabilities can help seniors overcome their challenges in positive, supportive long-term care environments. Read More »
Counting sheep from loss of sleep? Poor sleep can have a direct effect on more than just physical energy in elders, according to a new neurology study. Read More »
If deep brain stimulation can help patients with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, might it not be effective in treating those with Alzheimer’s disease? Read More »
At times, health conditions, such as quadriplegia, can have some unusual manifestations on other parts of the body. Are they the result of an existing condition or a symptom of another health issue? Don't ignore spots, rashes, discoloration and other changes as Kathy Mears can verify. Read More »
When it comes to longevity, a healthy attitude about aging matters. Colorado researchers are working on a way to measure self-perceived age. Read More »
An especially aggressive influenza strain and a nationwide outbreak of norovirus are joining forces to form one of the worst flu seasons in decades. Read More »
In many LTC facilities, nurse aides and practical nurses don't always have the benefit of regular contact with physicians and registered nurses. Do your NAs and PNs have the training they need to recognize skin conditions and administer the best wound care? Read More »
Placing brain health among the current national health priorities--like diabetes and heart disease--can give cognitive health the attention and respect it needs to foster awareness and better prevention habits, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Health Brain Initiative. Read More »
Physicians now have a detailed guide for testing cognition and detecting impairment, blostering early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Read More »
A new study suggests that acknowledging healthcare practitioners’ varying perspectives on the purpose of medication reconciliation and their roles in the process might increase implementation in healthcare settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. Read More »
Itchy eyes, running nose, hacking cough…. It’s that time of year when viruses can wreak havoc on an LTC facility. Whether the flu victimizes residents or staff, widespread illness upsets the ebb and flow of a facility's daily routine. Read More »
The No. 1 factor impacting health status in residents with Parkinson’s disease isn’t the shakes and the loss of muscle control—it’s the depression. Read More »
One way to enhance the brain’s “little gray cells” and to stave off the effects of Parkinson’s and dementia may be pedaling that bicycle, note researchers presenting at RSNA, the world’s largest radiology conference. Read More »
The risks of cognitive decline in seniors may be up in the air—literally, according to a study on the surprising effects of air pollution on brain functions. Read More »
Life without mirrors does not seem strange until I go to a store where there are many. Then, without trying I get an occasional glance of my hair or skin to see how my face is aging. Sometimes I am aghast thinking I look tired. Other times I look quickly and just keep moving. Read More »
How many of your residents have some sort of incontinence? More than you think. Improper assessment and MDS 3.0 coding of incontinence can result in inadequate treatment for residents, costly overuse of incontinence products and payment issues for caregivers. Read More »
Skilled nursing or hospice? Medicare policy prevents residents from seeking both types of care simultaneously, which can result in unwanted levels of treatment at the end of life, especially for residents with dementia. Read More »
The Savvy Resident’s Guide, a book written by psychologist and Long-Term Living contributing writer Eleanor Feldman Barbera, covers just about every concern a new nursing resident might have, explaining how nursing homes work and how people can make the most of their stays. I encourage LTC providers to consider providing this book to residents and their families upon admission. Read More »
