Researchers tried to quantify the mental and physical health benefits of pet ownership among older LGBT adults, particularly those in assisted living facilities, retirement homes or rental apartments. A majority of pet owners said their fur babies keep them active, help them meet people and offer unconditional love. Read More »
A proposed state bill would allow Utah assisted living residents to install monitoring equipment in their rooms. Surveillance is intended to protect residents from abuse and theft, but it raises even more questions about safety and privacy. Read More »
Several companies, backed by major investors and big pharma, are working to develop prescription video games. They're interested in video game therapy as an extension of treatments for a variety of mental illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease. Read More »
The Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare has a new tool that has helped many hospitals lower their falls rates by one-third. Can its methodology help your long-term care facility do the same for one of Medicare's "never events"? Read More »
Treating elderly residents—especially those with dementia—with antipsychotics requires a careful balance between medication and behavioral treatments. Read More »
New recommendations for the delivery of quality care for geriatric surgical patients were released today by the American College of Surgeons and American Geriatrics Society. Read More »
Researchers found an extra hour of therapy for seniors recovering from hip fractures in Skilled Nursing Facilities saw improved outcomes, though seniors with the highest levels of impairment saw no benefit. Read More »
Most recommendations for osteoarthritis tend to favor low-impact exercise, but some research indicates that if the osteoarthritis is mild, a little bit of higher impact exercise might do a lot more good. Read More »
New residents can struggle to combat their fears and find a way to feel useful, but everyone can help them adjust, says resident blogger Kathleen Mears. Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Everyone has “internal timing genes” that regulate sleep and wake cycles and other body processes. New research shows older people might have an internal clock that younger people don’t. Could this provide a clue on sundowning? Read More »
Occupational therapy can promote healing, independence and well-being for residents, but all too often treatments are misunderstood or missing. That prevents barriers to providing the best possible care for long-term care residents. Read More »
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 »
The holidays aren't happy for some people, but resident blogger Kathy Mears reminds us how to be in charge of our own joy--and perhaps help others to do the same. Read More »
Which states have the healthiest environments for seniors? Which regions are hotbeds of unhealthy habits? New data shows how healthy environments and the graying of America are dovetailing. Read More »
As obesity rates among older demographics continue to increase, will skilled nursing facilities have the equipment, staff and knowledge to care for them? Maybe not, according to recent findings. Read More »
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 »
An assisted living/independent living chain implements a program to assess falls risk and bring the use of high-tech hip protectors into fashion on its campuses. Read More »
What does “person-centered care” entail? The American Geriatrics Society teamed up with The SCAN Foundation and the University of Southern California to research the definitions and quality scope of healthcare that is focused on the person and not on the condition. Read More »
Updated Dec. 11: The number of cases has grown to nearly 100 but is expected to peak today, according to reports from Santa Barbara County. Clinical and facility operations teams at the Santa Barbara retirement community enact infectious disease protocols to restrict the spread of the outbreak. Read More »
Having an LTC pharmacist on the care team can provide aggressive strategies against adverse drug events and reap the benefits of a specialized skills set in the tricky business of geriatric medication management. Read More »
Is your staff really up to speed on the importance of flu vaccines? Do they know how to talk with residents and families about it? The CDC offers some simple talking points to smooth the road. Read More »
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 »
Get your flu shot yet? This season’s flu activity has had a slow start so far, but the CDC warns that peak flu season is yet to come, and the big risks are far from over for those age 65 and older. Read More »
