Resident Care

Connecting nursing home staff with clinicians to reduce antipsychotic use

A new study found residents with Alzheimer’s disease were less likely to be restrained or medicated at nursing homes where frontline staff spoke regularly with memory care specialists, suggesting quality outcomes can improve with expert intervention.  Read More »

Getting stiff

Getting that handy touchpad laptop made life seem easier, but it wasn't so great for her hand's range of motion, says SNF resident blogger Kathleen Mears. Read More »

Senate proposes $400M increase for dementia research

The Senate announced a proposal $400 million increase in Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health, surpassing a record increase of $350 million in 2015. Read More »

FDA recommends reducing sodium intake

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued draft guidance to reduce sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams per day. One in three Americans has high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Read More »

College student will keep singing for supper at CCRC

The artist in residence program has been such a success that an Iowa continuing care retirement community will allow a college student to spend another semester living with residents.  Read More »

Falls risk higher for women, multitaskers

Can’t walk and chew gum at the same time? Multitasking increases falls risks, especially in women, a new JAMDA study shows. Read More »

Alzheimer’s, falls among unexpected killers

Data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows there are some distinct causes of death that warrant public attention, preventive programs and classification reconsideration.   Read More »

First documented U.S. case of E. Coli superbug

Researchers have documented the first known U.S. case of an E. coli  bacteria with the resistance gene mcr-1. But researchers worry that if the hard-wired resistance spreads, it could change the face of the bacterial battle for good. Read More »

Waiting for a new power chair

SNF resident blogger Kathleen Mears relates how shopping for a new power chair can include a lot of adjustments and a lot of waiting. Read More »

Immune cells may protect against Alzheimer’s

New research has found that clusters of immune cells may reduce amyloid plaque formation, thereby reducing the damaging effects of Alzheimer’s disease.  Read More »

Nursing home pageant celebrates beauty at every age

A 100-year-old woman has been crowned the Missouri District 2 Ms. Nursing Home beauty pageant. She has the chance to seek the state title at the annual Missouri Health Care Association pageant in August.  Read More »

Mass. VA builds park for veterans with Alzheimer’s

A new park next to a Boston-area Veterans Affairs Medical Center is a serene and secure space for veterans with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to roam.  Read More »

Play a mobile game to advance Alzheimer’s research

The new mobile game Sea Hero Quest asks players to help a grown son recover his father’s memories lost to Alzheimer’s disease. Data collected from the game will help scientists study spatial navigation.  Read More »

Common heart medication could be effective Alzheimer’s treatment

Researchers found mice taking the antiplatelet agent clopidogrel saw a decrease in plaque buildup in blood vessels and in deep structures of the brain, suggesting a possible new drug treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.   Read More »

How dementia affects communication

Cognitive decline changes how people hear, speak, think and interpret. Caregivers and families may be able to improve communication with those who have dementia if they remember these tips.  Read More »

Turn up the sound, turn down the depression

Say what? Seniors who use hearing aids or received cochlear implants to improve their hearing may also reduce their risk of developing depression. Read More »

An antibiotic that’s easier on the gut microbiome

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital scientists are working to develop a pathogen-specific antibiotic to be less disruptive to the gut microbiome than broad-spectrum antibiotics.   Read More »

The fate of your stars: CMS and the new quality measures

As the opening keynote at the Memory Care Forum in Philadelphia, NASL policy guru Cynthia Morton discusses what’s coming next from CMS on long-term care quality measures and how that data might affect your five-star quality rating. Read More »

A $10M investment in memory loss treatments

Two foundations have partnered to advance drug discovery, clinical trials and drug repurposing for effective treatment of frontotemporal degeneration and other neurodegenerative diseases.  Read More »

Maria Shriver hosts exercise fundraiser for Alzheimer’s

Maria Shriver has launched a new initiative, the MOVE FOR MINDS experience, to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s research while also promoting a healthy lifestyle, which has been shown to improve brain health.  Read More »

Seniors and teens etch conversations about life in art

Independent living technologies manufacturer Tunstall Americas commissioned intergenerational art project to get people talking about life.  Read More »

NADONA/LTC launches new infection control certification

Experts from the CDC helped to create the new program, which covers everything from hand hygiene to clinical microbiology. Read More »

A twist on senior prom

Residents from Gladeview Rehabilitation and Health Care Center enjoyed the annual senior prom, the closing event of National Nursing Home Week.  Read More »

Age not a good indicator of health, study finds

Researchers found well-being, sensory function, mobility and mental health are better measures of health for older adults than their chronological age.  Read More »

Stroke prognosis depends on doctor

A news survey found doctors vary in their prognosis and recommendations for people who suffer intracerebral hemorrhaging.  Read More »

The story of mental decline

If you had the beginning stages of dementia, would you want to know? SNF resident blogger Kathleen mears weighs whether ignorance is bliss. Read More »

Working on dreaming

Senior Editor Nicole Stempak reflects on lessons learned from Argentum’s annual Senior Living Executive conference. Read More »

What we now know about long-term care

Activity consultant Susan Rauch, BA, AC-BC, reflects on how far the long-term care industry has come during her 32 years in the field and looks forward to even more advances in the years to come. Read More »