Nicole Stempak
Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.
Poor sleep could be an Alzheimer’s disease risk factor
Deep sleep means a deep cleanse of brain toxins, including those that form Alzheimer's plaques. Researchers found a lack of sleep sped the accumulation of Alzheimer's disease plaques in mice, suggesting a possible link and potential new treatments that start with catching some zzz's. Read More » A healthy attitude toward aging might keep you healthier
Researchers have found a correlation between negative views on aging and developing Alzheimer's disease. People who held negative views of aging were found to have greatest volume loss of the hippocampus, a part of the brain central to memory. They were also found to have a significantly greater number of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles than their peers with a positive outlook on aging. Read More » Rock star goes abroad for Alzheimer’s stem cell treatment
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 » Antidepressant restores protein levels in brain, improves memory
New research suggests accumulation of the tau protein hinders the brain's ability to clean out and replace cells. A drug already on the market was found to help flush out old cells and improve memory in mice, suggesting new therapies for neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Read More » Elderly more likely to suffer severe case of norovirus
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 » Families are growing closer (or at least not moving far apart)
Holiday songs conjure images about family togetherness, but they often express themes of geographic distance. Those songs aren’t an accurate picture of American families. Read More » A look back at the top 10 patient safety concerns for 2015
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 » Pictures are worth a policy
Taking a picture in long-term care facilities is more complicated than pressing the shutter button. Reduce concerns for privacy violations, HIPAA compliance and potential lawsuits by drafting, enforcing and updating policies that will make everyone smile. Read More » Unprecedented $350 million federal funding increase for Alzheimer’s research
The fiscal year 2016 federal spending bill includes $350 million more for Alzheimer's disease research funding. It's the first time in 12 years the National Institutes of Health have seen a boost in funding. Read More » Taking college classes might help ward off dementia
Researchers found older adults who took college courses saw an increase in their capacity to process information, make decisions, plan and retain memories. Age, gender, feelings of well-being or level of social connectedness did not affect their cognitive capacity. Read More » Common prostate treatment increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease
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 » 3-D video games boost memory
The complexity and immersive experience of 3-D video games improved memory in non-gaming college students, researchers found. Such video games could be used to engage, stimulate and boost hippocampus functioning in seniors. Read More » Ousted nursing home CEO could be back in charge
James G. Burkhart, former CEO of American Senior Communities LLC, has agreements with Health & Hospital Corporation that could allow him to own 63 nursing homes he used to manage. Read More » Celebrating the season with people with dementia
The holidays are a time of togetherness and traditions. That can pose additional challenges for people with dementia. Changing how the holidays are celebrated can help everyone enjoy the season. Read More » Low levels of BRCA1 protein in brain linked to Alzheimer’s disease
New research suggests BRCA1 proteins, which repair damaged cells, facilitate normal learning and memory in neurons. Lower levels of BRCA1 proteins in the brain are associated with neurological disorders. Read More » Researchers trace origins of Yarumal’s curse
Much research has been conducted on the residents of Yarumal, Colombia, which has the world’s largest population of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Now researchers have traced descendants to identify the origins of the rare gene mutation for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Read More » Amyloid protein buildup could account for memory loss
Researchers have found the accumulation of vascular amyloid plaques along blood vessels could disrupt blood flow in the brain. They could also account for some of the neural degeneration and memory loss in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Read More » A list of health technology hazards for 2016
Inadequate cleaning of flexible endoscopes continues to be a chief concern for healthcare providers in the coming year, according to an independent nonprofit medical labratory testing organization. Read More » Signature HealthCARE acquires Elmcroft Senior Living’s SNFs
Signature HealthCARE has acquired the skilled nursing division of Elmcroft Senior Living in an attempt to build the first post-acute network in Kentucky, where both companies are headquartered. Read More » ACHCA elects new president and CEO
Cecilia Sepp, CAE will serve as president and CEO of the American College of Health Care Administrators beginning Jan. 4, 2016. Read More » Capital One acquires GE Capital Healthcare Financial Services
The acquisition has resulted in the formation of Capital One Healthcare, which will provide more than $11 billion in total outstanding balances of financial services to the healthcare industry. Read More » Brookdale to expand memory care wings in Georgia facilities
Brookdale Senior Living is spending $9.5 million to expand beds and common areas at two Georgia facilities. The number of people in the state with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is expected to increase by nearly half by 2025. Read More » Memoirs set to classical music
The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra continues its Music as Medicine series with the first performance of “Memoirs.” The Dakota Wind Quintet will punctuate the telling of a retirement community resident’s life story. Read More » Former retirement community manager sentenced for embezzling
A former retirement community manager was sentenced for embezzling funds over a two-year period. Read More » A subscription box that keeps on giving
Senior Care Box is a monthly care package designed specifically to help people age 65 and older reminisce about the good ol’ days and let them know someone is thinking about them this holiday season — and throughout the year. Read More » Hospital software vendor to enter LTPAC software market
A community hospital software vendor will expand to the post-acute care market following a definitive agreement to acquire Healthland Holding Inc. and its affiliate American HealthTech, a provider of electronic health record software to more than 3,300 skilled nursing facilities. Read More » Toy maker Hasbro unveils robotic cat for elderly
Hasbro has launched its first product line specifically for older recipients this holiday season, a robotic cat, after market research found many parents were gifting stuffed animals to aging relatives. Read More » Dish up some family history this holiday
Take advantage of family togetherness this season and encourage conversations about medical history and capturing fond memories. Read More » I scream for…frozen dessert
An emergency room physician with a lifelong passion for ice cream was inspired by his patients to concoct a tasty and nutritious frozen dessert. Read More » 