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 »
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 »
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 »
Scientists take a page from the Harry Potter series to develop a resident locating system to track nursing home residents in an effort to improve care. Read More »
The Texas nursing home’s evacuation plan was executed, residents were removed from harm’s way, but the facility experienced a spike in resident deaths. Why? Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Resident empowerment goes back to school as one company adds an online "university" of content and tools to engage seniors in learning about health topics. Read More »
As the American populations continues to age, assisted living looks at a new role of providing housing care to higher acuity residents and those with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Read More »
Were the residents' eggs served runny or undercooked? Ambiguity in language convinces an Appeals Court to reverse a noncompliance ruling in a recent case where CMS had accused a nursing home of poor food preparation. Read More »
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 »
To the young, World War II is a lesson in the history books. But the courage, sacrifice and bravery shown by those who served will live on. Read More »
If it’s been a while since you’ve been in an English class, here’s a brief reminder on why what you call a person has significance, especially in long-term care. Read More »
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 »
Even a simple visit to a physician’s office can become a complicated ordeal for a person with disabilities when filling out health information forms is involved. Read More »
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 »
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 »
What a difference a year makes as Kathleen Mears updates us on her facility's "plant lady," who no longer is allowed to exercise her "green thumb" to grow hardy, healthy plants that staff and residents enjoy. Read More »
The Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing and CareSpeak Communications develop a patient-centric medications reminder service to improve seniors' medication compliance. Read More »
While quality and satisfaction scores have improved, skilled nursing facilities need to continue to improve and adapt to government policy and reimbursement cuts to survive. Read More »
Counting sheep, warm milk and a quiet room are not cure-all remedies for insomnia. A recent study finds that sleeplessness may predict the need for extended care. Read More »
Every country in the world--from Argentina to Zimbabwe--is confronted with the problem of caring for its elderly and paying for that care. Here's a firsthand look at how senior care is provided at a facility in France. Read More »
