New Hampshire has the healthiest seniors, according to new research presented at this past November’s Gerontological Society of America’s annual conference. Read More »
Important victories can be achieved when a resident is encouraged and enabled to use his or her abilities to achieve a personal goal through support and training. Read More »
The elderly can benefit from the “use it or lose it” tenet of good geriatric practice, which encourages them to make choices from among meaningful alternatives. This practice requires no special technology because it’s what we do countless times every day. Read More »
The No. 1 factor impacting health status in residents with Parkinson’s disease isn’t the shakes and the loss of muscle control—it’s the depression. Read More »
One way to enhance the brain’s “little gray cells” and to stave off the effects of Parkinson’s and dementia may be pedaling that bicycle, note researchers presenting at RSNA, the world’s largest radiology conference. Read More »
With the recent focus on reducing antipsychotics in long-term care and substituting behavioral interventions, facilities may be left wondering what interventions to use and how to implement them. Here are ideas on how to prevent, investigate and monitor agitation on your units and address staffing needs to ease the transition from antipsychotic medication. Read More »
The risks of cognitive decline in seniors may be up in the air—literally, according to a study on the surprising effects of air pollution on brain functions. Read More »
Throughout the years, it is inevitable that holiday celebrations change. Families grow, they shrink and other circumstances contribute to adaptations in family traditions. Kathleen Mears shares some of her Thanksgiving memories and plans. Read More »
Life without mirrors does not seem strange until I go to a store where there are many. Then, without trying I get an occasional glance of my hair or skin to see how my face is aging. Sometimes I am aghast thinking I look tired. Other times I look quickly and just keep moving. Read More »
How many of your residents have some sort of incontinence? More than you think. Improper assessment and MDS 3.0 coding of incontinence can result in inadequate treatment for residents, costly overuse of incontinence products and payment issues for caregivers. Read More »
When I first went to a nursing home in 1996, I did not know how voting was handled. When I learned I would be voting in a group with a person from the board of elections assisting, I was uncomfortable. Read More »
Skilled nursing or hospice? Medicare policy prevents residents from seeking both types of care simultaneously, which can result in unwanted levels of treatment at the end of life, especially for residents with dementia. Read More »
The Savvy Resident’s Guide, a book written by psychologist and Long-Term Living contributing writer Eleanor Feldman Barbera, covers just about every concern a new nursing resident might have, explaining how nursing homes work and how people can make the most of their stays. I encourage LTC providers to consider providing this book to residents and their families upon admission. Read More »
Prescription drug treatment regimens for conditions that are a normal part of aging are now costing the nation more than many serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, according to a new study. Read More »
One law firm has created a website to educate consumers about nursing home neglect—and to give them easy access to lawyers who specialize in eldercare neglect cases. Will other states follow suit? Read More »
Several nursing homes in the Rockaways area of New York City, which were heavily impacted by Hurricane Sandy, struggled with flooding and damaged generators, according to a report in The New York Times. Read More »
Updated 11:05 p.m. Thousands of LTC facilities evacuate the coastline from Maryland to New York as Hurricane Sandy sets her sights on inland states. Read More »
Need new service revenue? Two executives from the Francis E. Parker Memorial Home, Highland Park, N.J., share how offering adult day programs can open up opportunities to provide well-needed services while building new bridges to skilled nursing services. Read More »
A full moon, high tides and colliding storm systems are conspiring to create a “perfect storm” that will bear down on the East Coast next week. Long-term care facilities should initiate their disaster plans now. Read More »
Those who accrue high healthcare out-of-pocket expenses got an unexpected cost-saver during the recent recession, according to a Health Affairs report. Read More »
The future of aging is in good hands as LeadingAge presented its 2012 awards to outstanding individuals dedicated to serving America’s senior population. Read More »
A new study suggests that nonmedical factors may hamper hospitals’ efforts to meet CMS’ outcome and readmission guidelines that went into effect Oct. 1. Read More »
African- and Mexican-American seniors living in a neighborhood infused with their respective cultures may lead to better health. A recent study attributes cultural homogeneity as contributing factor to reduced rates of heart disease and cancer. Read More »
Gastroenteritis outbreaks are common in nursing homes. A recent study found that the rates of hospitalization and mortality increased during norovirus gastroenteritis outbreaks in nursing homes as compared with non-outbreaks periods. Read More »
Coming down with the flu can have serious complications in the elderly. Immunizing residents and staff can help to prevent a serious outbreak in your facility. Take a team approach to assess, plan, intervene and evaluate the threat of influenza for each individual and the facility. Read More »
