Lois Bowers
Lois A. Bowers was senior editor of I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living from 2013-2015.
Hot cocoa may benefit memory, but blood glucose an issue, too
One study finds that regularly drinking hot chocolate may improve memory and thinking, while other research ties higher blood glucose levels to higher dementia risk. So should you encourage seniors to start sipping or wait for more research? Read More » Research reveals what makes SNF residents, families happy
New research reveals how nursing homes can improve their scores on satisfaction surveys of residents and families. The findings could take on added significance as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services considers moves that could affect the way SNFs are reimbursed. Read More » Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s appear not to share genetic risk
Researchers try to pinpoint another possible connection between Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases as one study’s results seem to refute one idea. Read More » Anemia, dementia associated, researchers find
Investigators are theorizing why anemia and dementia might be linked as results from the Health ABC Study are published. Read More » Supportive services, private insurance topics for long-term care commission
Government, university and nonprofit organization representatives suggested ways to improve Medicare- and Medicaid-related long-term supportive services and private long-term care insurance at yesterday’s hearing of the federal Commission on Long-Term Care. Read More » Alzheimer’s, dental health links grow with new research
Good oral hygiene may be especially important in patients at risk for developing dementia, new research suggests. Read More » Private SNF care tops $94K per year, insurance survey says
Costs for assisted living, nursing home, adult day care and home healthcare continue to increase for consumers, according to a new survey. Read More » Medicare, Medicaid observe 48 years
Some nonprofit organizations and a government agency are singing the praises of the Medicare and Medicaid programs as they observe the 48th anniversary of being signed into law. Read More » New senior living, post-acute online courses in the works
Those working in the senior living and post-acure environments will have new coursework available to them when the fruits of an industry collaboration are realized. Read More » Medicare spending varies geographically due to post-acute care differences: IOM
Differences in the use of care at SNFs, rehab facilities and other post-acute settings largely account for variation in Medicare spending across geographic areas, according to a new report. Read More » Senior Games cyclist benefits from retirement community wellness center
Live coverage from the National Senior Games: One retirement community opened its wellness center membership to area residents and helped a National Senior Games cyclist prepare for the 2013 competition. Such centers can offer health advantages to everyday seniors as well—and reap benefits for retirement communities in the process. Read More » Seniors missing vaccinations, preventive care; geography affecting healthy life expectancy
Seniors are deficient in receiving certain preventive services, and where they reside could affect the number of years they can expect to live in good health, according to recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More » Medical record access focus of 10-state HIE effort
Ensuring the availability of medical records after a disaster is the goal of a new collaboration involving 10 states. Read More » Alzheimer’s research gets boost from genetic database
A new database of whole genome sequences aims to help scientists working to diagnose, treat, prevent and cure Alzheimer’s disease. Read More » Non-Medicaid services funding not matching demand
States are encountering increasing demands for non-Medicaid services, such as senior centers and transportation services, but they are not increasing funding for such services, according to a new report. Read More » Is 90 the new 80?
People in their 90s increasingly have better overall functioning, according to one newly published study. Other recent research, however, indicates that improved public health programs focused on particular health issues may be necessary to help Americans reach that age. Read More » 