Clinical

PBS’ Frontline slams assisted living; communities cry foul

Updated 3:30 p.m.   Last night’s PBS documentary on assisted living has enraged many, both because of what it revealed and what it didn’t reveal. Read More »

Study finds diabetes drug extends health and lifespan of mice

International study focuses on whether a commonly prescribed medication can be repurposed to provide additional health benefits as people age. Read More »

60% of hospitalizations from SNFs can be avoided, study says

Appropriate care for many conditions that affect long-term care residents not only can reduce avoidable hospitalizations, but save healthcare dollars as well. Read More »

General anesthesia used during surgery can have a negative impact on the elderly

After undergoing an operation under general anesthesia, seniors may suffer side effects affecting their cognitive abilities, according to a recent study. 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 »

New TeamSTEPPS program tackles safety & communication issues in LTC

Health professionals in Connecticut adapt the TeamSTEPPS safety training program specifically for long-term care settings. Read More »

Integrative medicine is an effective approach to chronic pain management

Recent research shows that the management of chronic pain, can be enhanced by incorporating holistic, person-centered practices, such as touch, yoga and acupuncture, in the therapeutic regimen. Read More »

National Senior Games kick off in Cleveland

Thousands of champion athletes from across the country gather this month to compete for the nation’s top sports glories—and all the competitors are over 50. 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 »

Agencies seek strategies for nationwide falls management study

If your organization has a successful, multifaceted strategy for reducing falls, the National Institute on Aging wants your ideas for its next clinical trial. Read More »

AHCA/NCAL announces award recipients

AHCA/NCAL’s annual awards program highlights the efforts of exceptional caregivers and volunteers across the country. Read More »

2013 Women’s Choice Award of America’s Best Nursing Homes announced

WomenCertified® honors the nation’s top nursing homes as scored based on CMS’s Five-Star rating system and the preferences and priorities of women. Read More »

Multidisciplinary approach to LTC gains traction

The multidisciplinary approach to providing care with coordinated, goal-centered teams yields better outcomes for residents in long-term care facilities. Read More »

And the 2013 OPTIMA Award goes to…

The judges have finished their tallies and the results are in: A groundbreaking program in dementia care is the winner of this year’s OPTIMA award. Find out who won and stay tuned for our continuing coverage of their program! Read More »

Stroke recovery rates tied to ethnicity

Researchers discover that race can play a big factor in the ability to survive a stroke, especially for Asian-Americans. Read More »

Certain GI infections alter effects of Parkinson’s medication

A common gut bacterium can interfere with the way motor-controlling drugs work in those with Parkinson’s disease. Read More »

Total shoulder replacements to reach $959M by 2019

Recent data predicts the Total Shoulder Replacement market could nearly double by 2019. Can you provide the rehab all those short-term residents will need? Read More »

‘Spy-cams’ in Ohio nursing homes unearth abuse, yet raise legal questions

Next time you think your loved one is being neglected or abused in a nursing home, you might not be the only one watching. Read More »

Overuse of diuretics is common and risky for elderly

Diuretics are common components in many medications used for hypertension, heart failure and renal disease. But overuse of diuretics can worsen the conditions they are meant to treat, warns a new study in JAMDA. Read More »

HHS updates national Alzheimer’s plan, adds initiatives on dementia’s impact on families

The 2013 update to the national action plan on dementia has added a gamut of initiatives to the plan, including new treatment guidelines, increased access to services and better education on the disease’s impacts on families and the healthcare system. Read More »

Study: Best SNF care teams involve primary care physicians and pharmacists

Putting pharmacists and primary care physicians on care teams can improve outcomes for long-stay residents in skilled nursing, according to a recent review of research from around the world. Read More »

$30 million in funding earmarked for falls prevention study

A serious fall at home can have far-reaching consequences to a senior’s quality of life. A government-funded study will look into ways to reduce or prevent the instances of debilitating falls in community-dwelling seniors. Long-term care providers are asked to help. Read More »

Experiencing a medication error

Residents and their families trust that close attention is paid to the medications each individual requires. LTL blogger Kathleen Mears talks about the time she was given the incorrect medication. Read More »

New online intervention tools will grapple with impact of dementia on Hispanics

Researchers at Columbia University School of Nursing are developing a new system of online tools to address the unique issues of dementia care within the Hispanic community. Read More »

FDA softens stance on Avandia

The FDA votes to ease restrictions on the once-popular diabetes drug, but concerns will likely remain in the minds of many. Read More »

The Internet: An antidepressant for seniors?

A new study assesses the relationship between Internet use by seniors and its effect on the symptoms of depression and the possible impact on healthcare costs. Read More »

Senate revisits Positive Aging Act

A bipartisan Senate bill hopes to bring senior mental health services back to the Congressional fore. Read More »

MDS Manual update brings welcome clarity

The RAI User's Manual received section revisions and clarifications on dental status (section L), skin conditions (section M) and other items in the May update release. Read More »

CMS clarifies confusing scoring for ADLs

AANAC's Judi Kulus explains the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services attempt to iron out the confusing rules for coding activities of daily living (ADLs) under the RAI User's Manual. Read More »

Hospitalists see new opportunities in LTC

Long-term care is a growing field for hospitalists to explore, which will enable them to fill the void in post-acute care as they do in the hospital setting. Read More »