Resident Care

Minn. police subdue nursing home resident with Taser

Officers attempted to communicate with the man, who had stabbed a female employee in the chest with a pen, but he was unresponsive to their requests and became confrontational. Read More »

What MDS 3.0 gets right

Nurse assessment coordinators report lower job satisfaction and general frustration managing and administrating the new tool. Additionally, constant changes have made it difficult to keep up with the new rules. That said, CMS got some important things right with 3.0. Read More »

Alzheimer’s drug could cause adverse side effects

A study suggests that the drugs could cause neurons to be miswired and interfere with their ability to send messages to the brain. Read More »

Confronting Alzheimer’s head on—with courage and support

Singer Glen Campbell’s matter-of-fact acceptance of and willingness to share his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease illustrates the strides that advocates have made in fighting the stigma of shame that surrounds the insidious disease. Read More »

New e-prescribing tool aimed at skilled nursing, assisted living

The product's parent company says its new e-prescribing application, which is being piloted in five states, “exponentially speeds up” the process of delivering pain meds to residents. Read More »

Cancer drug ‘quickly reverses’ Alzheimer’s symptoms

Neuroscientists at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland are reporting a huge breakthrough in the effort of finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Read More »

Obama promises $156 million to fight Alzheimer’s, support caregivers

As many as 5.1 million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer’s, a number that could double by 2050, according to HHS. Read More »

Helping families hold on to loved ones with Alzheimer’s

When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, the emotions have a ripple effect throughout the family. While helping the resident cope with his or her losses, it’s time to encourage and support those who hold the person dear. Read More »

Wandering residents and sleepless nights

I convinced Daniel to leave but he returned partially clothed and tried to touch me. Luckily, I was able to talk him out of his advances, because I am unable to physically push him away. Read More »

Alzheimer’s may spread by ‘jumping’ through brain regions, study finds

The question has been whether Alzheimer’s starts at independent regions of the brain at different times, or if it spread to neuroanatomically connected areas. Read More »

Head, shoulders, knees, toes: A focus on mobility

What happens when rehab therapy is complete? Mobility improvements can continue when residents are engaged, encouraged and having fun. It also helps to employ these three levels of fitness. Read More »

Pork gets political for nursing homes

"Don’t mess with residents’ dietary requirements" is the rallying cry of Jewish nursing home advocates after a past veto by Mitt Romney for funding kosher meals garners renewed attention. Read More »

Hospitality and leadership in the dining room

Frontline servers are emerging leaders within senior care communities. Forward-thinking administrators recognize the value of arming their staffs with targeted hospitality training. Read More »

Person-centered care at the end of life

The end of life is not just a waiting game. It’s a time to respect the wishes of the dying and to celebrate his or her life. Surveys of older people indicate that they are not afraid of death, but they are worried about dying. Read More »

Music works magic for seniors

Not just for groups, music therapy using MP3 and iPod devices can enable playlist to be customized to the individual resident for a more meaningful experience Read More »

Mild cognitive impairment common in elderly, Mayo Clinic finds

The condition appears to affect men and those who only have a high school education more than women and those who have completed some higher education, the Mayo Clinic found. Read More »

Fighting falls takes a personal approach

One of the ways to prevent falls is to know who your residents are and respond to them as individuals, discouraging behaviors that could lead to injury. Read More »

Delivering a successful model of memory care

With 91 people on its wait list, the word has spread that Silverado San Juan Capistrano, Calif., is doing some very good things in its community. And, as its proponents maintain, getting Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t have to mean the end of living—for residents or their loved ones. Read More »

Study: ER visits triple the risk of infection for nursing home residents

For Canadian nursing home residents who visited an emergency department, there was a three-fold risk of contracting a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection. Read More »

Volunteerism helps not only the community, but the senior volunteer as well

Senior volunteerism in serving the community is on the rise. Nominate your outstanding resident for national recognition. Read More »

Respiratory rehab

A Virginia facility provides care to a diverse population in a stigma-free atmosphere. Its ventilation therapy program is an attractive option for providing transitional care and encouraging ACO affiliation. Read More »

Study: Elderly with cirrhosis present growing burden on healthcare system

Utilization of healthcare services, including nursing home stays and hospitalizations, was more than double in those with cirrhosis compared to non-cirrhotic peers. Read More »

HHS drafts strategic national plan for addressing Alzheimer’s

The Alzheimer’s Association said in a statement that the HHS draft “highlights many solutions” and is a “significant marker” in the process of addressing the disease. Read More »

Nicotine patch improves mild cognitive impairment, study finds

While the study’s authors noted that nicotine stimulates receptors in the brain that are important for thinking and memory skills, they cautioned against unsupervised use of the substance. Read More »

In the long-term care resident’s shoes—or wheelchair

To experience just one of the many challenges a LTC resident experiences on a daily basis can be sobering and eye-opening. And, it just might make you reconsider your facility's approach to resident care. Read More »

Simplify wound care through HIT

Wound care nurses from three facilities share how the use of an electronic point-of-care documentation system is transforming their jobs and enabling them to achieve better outcomes. Read More »

When a nursing home resident doesn’t return after hospitalization

My legs eventually became so painful that I could not tolerate it or stand, and I decided it was time to go the ER. After my arrival at the hospital, it did not take long for me to realize that I was pretty sick. Read More »

Remembering Alzheimer’s

Job’s Way is Kirby Pines Retirement Community's award-winning Alzheimer’s and dementia residence—winner of more than six national and international awards. The unique circular facility is designed to minimize confusion and frustration as residents move about during their daily activities. Read More »

Free tool kit promotes Alzheimer’s/dementia education for staff

NCCDP offers a free downloadable tool kit, including PowerPoint in-services on many topics, which can be accessed through March 1. Read More »

CDC uses flu outbreak to remind LTC facilities of precautions, protocol

Outbreak control measures should be implemented when there are two or more residents with influenza-like illness within a 72-hour period, the CDC said. Read More »