Until now, the only absolute diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was by autopsy. Is PET Amyloid Imaging, which can detect beta-amyloid neuritic plaques in the living brain, a potential screening or diagnostic tool for the future? Read More »
As patients transfer from one point of care to another, medications that travel with them need to be reconciled for appropriateness and safety at the new care setting. Should those medications be restarted as the patient transfers to a skilled nursing facility? Read More »
Two new studies presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons looked at the effects of smoking on total joint replacement and found evidence of higher rates of failure compared to non-smokers. Read More »
When treating infections in the LTC setting it is imperative that staff members have defined roles in the treatment process and that facilities have clear procedures in place to effectively treat infections. Read More »
Sapovirus, a cousin of the well known and highly contagious norovirus, caused symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and fever that lasted a median duration of 48 hours in the studied outbreaks. Read More »
Watch your step! At any age, falls can range from embarrasing to causing great pain. And nowhere is this hazard more apparent, or possibly deadly, when a elderly person takes a tumble. Read More »
According to research, the number of people living with dementia worldwide, estimated at 35.6 million in 2010, is set to nearly double every 20 years, reaching 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050. Read More »
Hospital emergency rooms that cater to the elderly are drawing attention for their special features (artificial skylights, thicker mattresses, absence of noise and rushing residents) and, most interestingly, their lower rates of return visits. Read More »
Of the nearly 700 stoke patients studied, 18 percent were rehospitalized during the three months following discharge. Patients with better motor and cognitive abilities at rehabilitation discharge were less likely to be rehospitalized. Read More »
The cost of incontinence care in the United States averaged $19.5 billion in 2004, and by one estimate the annualized cost of women's nursing home admissions due to urinary incontinence was $3 billion, according to AHRQ. Read More »
What should LTC developers know about operational and business challenges when it comes to memory care? And what do they need to know about developments on the regulatory front? Loren B. Shook, president and CEO of Silverado Senior Living, weighs in on these questions in an exclusive interview. Read More »
The most common predictor of hospitalization for venous thromboembolism—a potentially life-threatening condition that includes both deep-vein and lung blood clots—was recent exposure to an infection, according to the study in Circulation. Read More »
Every day this 28-year-old father of two is encouraged to feed himself and do all he can so he can go home. But John's behaviors and displays of anger make caring for him difficult, and he is far away from the comfort and reassurance of his home state. Read More »
Determining what is “less institutional” may not be a foregone conclusion. Making assumptions about residents’ preferences is dangerous business, and when we simply ask residents what they want, they surprise us more often than not. Read More »
It's not enough just to provide meals. If residents don't like what they see, it's a good bet that they won't enjoy eating it. The dining experience should add joy, excitement and choice for increased resident satisfaction and, ultimately, good nutrition. Read More »
A senator says that while he supports Alzheimer’s research, "this $80 million isn’t happening," referring to funding President Obama proposed earlier this year. Read More »
Successful LTC facilities create an environment where hospice is just as “normal” as any other referral. Providers should have an understanding of disease progression and be able to convey it to the resident and family, alleviating fears through knowledge. Read More »
The Joint Commission online portal on health care-associated infections provides both free and for-purchase resources for combating central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections and other conditions. Read More »
Researchers said the bilingual mind’s need to monitor two languages in order to select the appropriate language recruits brain regions that are critical for general attention and cognitive control. Read More »
Age alone is not the only contributing factor to pressure ulcer development. It is also about the inconveniences of old age such as impaired mobility, poor nutrition, changes in mental status or chronic diseases. High blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes affect blood flow to organs including the skin, increasing the risk of pressure ulcers. Read More »
The Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses mentoring program, which is supplemented with online resources, is designed to help nurses develop relationships and improve their caregiving skills. Read More »
Thursday’s event, to be streamed live on the Internet, will provide an overview of the national initiative, resources for technical assistance and plans for upcoming education offerings. Read More »
It's not just background music anymore. Creatively incorporating music into the lives of seniors offers the therapeutic benefits of social engagement, memory enhancement, light exercise and more. Read More »
The 2012 AGS Beers Criteria group more than 50 medications or classes of medications that may be harmful to older adults into three categories. Read More »
Emerging research suggesting that Alzheimer's disease may be linked to insulin resistance and could eventually be considered a third type of diabetes was supported by two new articles. Read More »
More that 200 residents at Greenspring Retirement Community receive well-deserved recognition for the exceptional service they provide to others. Thousands of hours of dedicated giving not only benefits the the people and organizations they serve, but these selfless individuals achieve hours of self-fulfillment. Read More »
As spring approaches, the back dining room grows warm and Melinda's plants will sprout. Soon our staff members will be buying the seedlings to plant in their gardens at home—for a price, of course. Read More »
Researchers said recognizing the differences between RNs and LPNs could lead to fewer medication errors in nursing homes, where an estimated 800,000 preventable adverse drug events occur annually. Read More »
