National Healthcare Decisions Day is Apr. 16, and as most skilled nursing facilities know, an advance directive may be a little piece of paper, but it’s a big conversation process. Read More »
Adults age 62 to 85 are using more concurrent medicines and dietary supplements than ever, a new JAMA study says, enhancing the need for detailed medication reviews to avoid drug interactions. Read More »
A good antibiotic stewardship program is more than a leaflet or two about drug resistance. New guidelines from two leading infectious disease bodies offer specific strategies to implement stewardship programs and improve antibiotic efficacy, including ways to handle staff training and the challenge of C. diff. Read More »
The university wants to build a continuing care retirement community on campus. The CCRC could appeal to the roughly 30,000 alumni age 65 and up dwelling in Arizona who want to relive their college years. Only, this time class is optional. Read More »
A pilot study by Ecumen found residents exposed to bright lights for at least 30 minutes a day had fewer sleep disturbances, behavioral episodes and needed less antipsychotic medication—all without any adverse side effects to the light. Read More »
Researchers examined the effects of aging on cognitive functioning. They found normal age-related memory and cognition decline may occur at an earlier age and at a faster rate in healthy older men compared to healthy older women. Read More »
Researchers have found that Alzheimer’s disease impairs the part of the brain that regulates metabolism. That means people with dementia may be more likely to develop diabetes. Read More »
Combination treatments, such as using an extended-release pill and an inhaled product, are a standard practice in therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But new research shows that many people with COPD may not benefit from the addition of a corticosteroid inhalant. Read More »
The Center for Innovation has invested more than $30 million for Indiana University’s project to reduce avoidable hospitalizations for nursing home residents by providing higher levels of care on site. Read More »
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High-tech pressure ulcer reduction
By Christopher Barnum, PhD, CEO, Gel OvationsAmerican medicine may be slow to adopt new technology, but pressure ulcer prevention calls for high-tech interventions. Learn More »
Michael Rossato-Bennett, the writer, director and producer of the award-winning documentary “Alive Inside,” will speak at the Institute for the Advancement of Senior Care’s Memory Care Forum in Philadelphia on how music therapy can improve the quality of life for people with dementia. Read More »
A new drug treatment for Parkinson’s disease psychosis has been given a major thumbs-up by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) committee, a crucial step in the agency's drug-approval process. If the drug eventually receives full FDA approval, it will be the first treatment of its kind, researchers say. Read More »
A group of health information technology nerds enjoyed finding obscure and absurd ICD-10 codes like toxic effect of venom of bees, intentional self-harm. They thought others might, too, so they found their favorites, formed a publishing company and illustrated them for your amusement. Read More »
From 1994 to 2014, the population of California nursing home residents under age 65 increased by nearly 40 percent. So, too, did the number of reported problems directly related to the resident population mix. Read More »
University of South Florida researchers say certain types of brain exercise can improve reaction times, staving off cognitive decline and letting seniors hang onto a key piece of independence: a driver's license. Read More »
CMS is moving forward with new surveyor tools for facilities that offer dementia care. does your staff know how to document for the new survey? Read More »
The Web-based training company adds new training resources based on current trends and industry demand to fill employee healthcare training gaps, increase job satisfaction, reduce turnover and ultimately improve patient care. Read More »
The Long Term Care Community Coalition reviewed Medicare data to see how effective a federal campaign to reduce inappropriate antipsychotic drugging in nursing homes has been since it was launched fin 2012. There’s still a long way to go, the advocacy group found. Read More »
New studies show eating blueberries improved brain function and activity in people with mild cognitive impairment. Pure maple syrup may prevent the formation of brain plaque and fibrillation of beta amyloid proteins. All of which is to say: eat to your health. Read More »
People with early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can still make new memories, but a lack of sensory input connections prevent them from storing and later accessing those memories. Researchers tested a form of artificial stimulation that helped mice remember, suggesting potential new treatments. Read More »
Children at one Denver school study the history of and write about Alzheimer’s disease. The multi-subject curriculum on memory care is designed to make children less scared and confused about what changes might be happening with an aging loved one. Read More »
One young man stopped to play a tune after finishing a moving job at a retirement community. That video has gone viral. Watch it, and you'll understand why. Read More »
Women still have a longer life expectancy but they’re living longer with at least one disability that prevents them from doing at least one normal daily activity. IN comparison, men are living longer and more years without disability. Read More »
