I think a resident’s greatest concern is that their needs will be forgotten. Most residents realize other residents have important and frequent needs. Some residents have probably been forgotten and feel they must be emphatic to get what they need. Read More »
While trying to save on prescription costs, seniors in the Medicare Part D doughnut hole are skipping or reducing their maintenance medications for depression, chronic heart failure and diabetes, among other chronic conditions, recent data suggests. Read More »
High doses of vitamin D play a role in preventing bone fractures, especially in older women, according to a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. Read More »
Pressure ulcers are painful and dangerous for residents and costly for facilities. Next year, PUs are going to cost facilities even more. Learn how to improve wound care intervention to protect your patients and manage risk. Read More »
This facility requires me to eat meals in the dining room. Since I need to be fed, I spend a great deal of time waiting. Mealtimes have cut my computer time from seven hours a day (at my former facility) to four hours a day here. Read More »
Sore feet, ingrown toenails and sore are no laughing matter. Whether young or old, foot problems can plague anyone. Recent data show that a staggering number of Americans age 21 and older have had one or more foot problems. Read More »
New approaches to wound care using biological dressing, negative pressure wound therapy and other devices are driving the growth of the wound care market, according to market research. Read More »
Cutting-edge organizations that are effectively meeting the challenges of caring for an aging population with acquired brain injuries are implementing strategies that promote good health and quality of life by actively engaging both mind and body. Read More »
On a hot day in the spring of 2011, a nurse said the building’s temperature could get hot in the summer, sometimes as high as 100 degrees. I remembered that on May days when my room was not cool. Even with a fan some evenings my thermometer read 87 degrees and I was perspiring profusely. Read More »
Loneliness is not just a case of being alone. Findings from a University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) study show how loneliness can negatively impact the health of seniors. Read More »
The authors identified five conditions—pneumonia, congestive heart failure, urinary tract infection, dehydration and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma—that were responsible for more than three-quarters of the potentially avoidable hospitalizations. Read More »
A new report found that half of violent victimizations of persons age 65 or older involved serious violence, based on data from crimes known to Michigan law enforcement from 2005 to 2009. Perpetrators of elder abuse were often related to the victims. Read More »
I cannot remember when my AFOs (ankle-foot orthoses) were made. But I know they are more than five years old. I want a dependable orthotist who will repair my AFOs or explain if he cannot. Read More »
Ultraviolet light treatment works better than bleach to control outbreaks of Clostridium difficle infections (CDI) in resident spaces, and UV cleansing technology may be a smart addition to routine housekeeping and infection-prevention measures, researchers find. Read More »
Experts at this week’s International Society of Advance Care Planning & End of Life Care conference discuss medical ethics, caregiver responsibilities, and a culture of avoidance when it comes to end-of-life care decisions. Read More »
In my years as a med nurse, unit manager and DON I always enjoyed working with hospice. My experience was that they were also there for the resident and staff. That is why hospice belongs in long-term care. Let us help you help the resident. Let’s collaborate and share the load. How can we help you today? Read More »
A rapidly evolving regulatory, demographic and clinical landscape are top of mind for many of the 1,000-plus senior living executives in attendance at this year’s ALFA (Assisted Living Federation of America) Conference & Expo, being held in Dallas Wednesday through Friday. Read More »
Following a procedure to have a kidney stone removed at a large university hospital, Kathy wonders why appropriate equipment could not be made available for a patient's most basic needs. Read More »
What makes a great aide? Kathleen is pleased to know one who has a knack for identifying with resident situations and who intuitively wants to please the residents and give them good care. Read More »
Winter’s end and spring’s increase in daylight hours are typically uplifting events. Yet for many seniors, spring can trigger or exacerbate the dark feelings and lethargy of depression. Read More »
The top award from the American Society of Healthcare Publication Edi, one of four awards Long-Term Living received for 2011 content, recognized its journalistic achievement for the story “Hurricane Irene Tests Healthcare Disaster Response Plans.” Read More »
Incontinence is associated with falls, skin breakdown and social isolation. An incontinence assessment is important for new residents and any resident who has had a change in their continence status. Read More »
A resident experiences an emotional breakdown. An observant and quick-thinking Kathleen alerts her facility's aides to avert what could have turned into a tragic event. Read More »
A state-by-state breakdown by the CDC demonstrates that healthcare-associated infections in hospitals have been declining since HHS first introduced its National Action Plan, which enters its third and final phase next summer with a focus on long-term care facilities. Read More »
