As the number of influenza cases increase across the country, using recommended hand hygiene protocols helps prevent the spread of flu viruses and other healthcare-associated infections. Read More »
When is a deal too good to be legal? Receiving discounts from vendors/suppliers may, in some instances, be considered "kickbacks" if you're not careful. Read More »
Older adults admitted to intensive care units are about 35 percent more likely to die within five years of leaving the hospital if they develop an infection during their stay, according to new research. Read More »
Similar to the UPC bar code, Class III high-risk medical devices tagged with UDI labels will help to report, track and assess patients’ adverse events. Read More »
Keen insights on nursing home life are provided by Long-Term Living's resident blogger Kathleen Mears every Monday morning throughout the year. Here are 10 of her most popular blogs in 2014. Read More »
The next 20 years will see a rapid increase in the number of older Americans with disabilities as boomers continue to step across the senior threshold. Read More »
Over 65? How well you can balance on one leg may be an indicator of brain health and the risk of deep brain stroke or dementia, according to a study. Read More »
A high-dose flu vaccine is significantly better than a regular flu shot at boosting the immune response to the flu virus in frail, older residents of long-term care facilities, according to the results of a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study funded by a vaccine manufacturer. Read More »
The third installment of our multi-part series on challenges facing those serving older adults looks at governmental and other efforts to improve quality. Read More »
If strong actions are not taken to curb microbial resistance, then deaths attributed to drug-resistant infections could skyrocket to 10 million by 2050, more than all current cancer-related deaths put together. Read More »
Elderly Americans have a new ally in preventing abuse by family, staff, home caregivers or other residents--the surveillance camera. A recent alleged case of abuse in New York was captured on camera. Read More »
Do you have something to say about the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services' plan to give five-star ratings to home health agencies? Voice it Dec. 17. Read More »
Many environmental conditions can affect the human condition—the tides, pollution, humidity. Long-Term Living’s resident blogger Kathleen Mears has displayed some of the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Read More »
Some may have been misled by a recent essay in The Atlantic, author Ezekiel Emanuel, MD, PhD, says. His published views on aging and the end of life, however, have implications for policymakers and professional caregivers. Read More »
A sick workforce can create staffing and resident wellness challenges for long-term care providers. A new toolkit is designed to help employers educate their staff members on the importance of being vaccinated against influenza. Read More »
The prevalence of particularly nasty flu viruses this year is prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to predict a potentially severe flu season. The agency recommends immediate vaccination or quick treatment as warranted. Read More »
Although mechanical lifts make moving a patient easier for the caregiver, safety can be compromised if the user does not know how to operate the lift properly. Read More »
Infection control is a major culprit in the often-fatal virus known as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, according to a new literature review. Read More »
In long-term care, residents can experience symptoms of seasonal depression, which might go unrecognized unless caregivers and families keep a watchful eye. Read More »
Keeping the bedsores at bay is about much more than body-turning protocols. Helping residents and their families understand the importance of skin health can make fighting unnecessary skin breakdown a group effort. Read More »
The American Geriatrics Society has released a new guideline to prevent and treat postoperative delirium in older adults in an effort to reduce complications resulting in longer hospital stays and delayed rehabilitation. Read More »
CMS has followed the lead of a preventive services agency and proposed coverage of annual lung cancer screenings for certain older adults. But can Medicare afford it? Read More »
A small, pocket-sized document can help curb antibiotic drug resistance and improve the treatment and outcomes of the frail and elderly in skilled nursing facilities, according to a recent study. Read More »
Treating a cold is not as simple as taking the latest advertised remedy off the shelf. If you live or work in a long-term care setting, let staff and residents know that choosing a cold reliever takes serious thought. Read More »
