Resident Care

Diet may not impact certain health outcomes in elderly

Eating diets high in sugar and fat may not affect the health outcomes of older adults ages 75 and up, suggesting that placing people of such advanced age on overly restrictive diets to treat their excess weight or other conditions may have little benefit, according to a new study. Read More »

Caught in the middle of conversations

Engaging the resident in converasation is a great idea, but be careful in choosing your topic. Read More »

A dogged advocate for the national Alzheimer’s plan

Studies and plans are worthless if they end up gathering dust on a shelf.  Eric Hall, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, is determined to shape the federal government's national Alzheimer's plan to include concrete, practical steps that address the insidious disease. Read More »

How gray is your attitude?

When it comes to longevity, a healthy attitude about aging matters. Colorado researchers are working on a way to measure self-perceived age. Read More »

Influenza and norovirus outbreaks pack hospital ERs

An especially aggressive influenza strain and a nationwide outbreak of norovirus are joining forces to form one of the worst flu seasons in decades. Read More »

AFA report recommends updates to national Alzheimer’s plan

Noting that “more needs to be done” to tackle the escalating incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) has released a report that offers more than three dozen recommendations to build upon the current goals of the federal government’s national Alzheimer’s plan. Read More »

Study: MRIs help to identify dementia type

Some memory lapses are a normal part of aging.  However, when quality of life and daily functioning are disturbed, accurately diagnosing the type of dementia is necessary for treatment. Read More »

Skin and wound care programs for LTC

In many LTC facilities, nurse aides and practical nurses don't always have the benefit of regular contact with physicians and registered nurses. Do your NAs and PNs have the training they need to recognize skin conditions and administer the best wound care? Read More »

Aging well or just aging: The rockers of my youth

While the music of the legends of ’60s and ’70s rock is still popular, relevant and enduring, the performers themselves have adapted to aging—or not. Read More »

CDC: Make brain health a national priority

Placing brain health among the current national health priorities--like diabetes and heart disease--can give cognitive health the attention and respect it needs to foster awareness and better prevention habits, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Health Brain Initiative. Read More »

Poor vision in older adults: A link to social isolation

Older adults with vision problems curtail social activities because of a fear of falling. Read More »

Holiday cheer

The key to having a happy holiday season is to think of others and give of yourself. Small gestures can have a great an effect on residents, friends and families. Read More »

Alzheimer’s Association releases first comprehensive guide on assessing cognition

Physicians now have a detailed guide for testing cognition and detecting impairment, blostering early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Read More »

Staying in style in LTC

Being a “beauty school drop-in” has its advantages when visiting an on-site salon for hair care and style maintenance is not an option. Read More »

Study: Constant assessment of medication regimens critical to patient care

A new study suggests that acknowledging healthcare practitioners’ varying perspectives on the purpose of medication reconciliation and their roles in the process might increase implementation in healthcare settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. Read More »

Large parties are not for everyone

Not everyone wants to be the “life of the party” and many people are perfectly fine standing in the background. Is that wrong? Or is introversion unacceptable in the LTC setting? Read More »

Deinstitutionalized dining in LTC

Eliminating tray service in the dining room has deinstitutionalized meal times. Resident satisfaction has soared and Winchester Rehabilitation and Nursing has saved money. Read More »

Drug company must repay Medicare up to $48M for selling unapproved Xenaderm cream

The Healthpoint pharmaceutical company has to give back millions in Medicare reimbursements for false marketing of a skin ointment cream. Read More »

A positive outlook on aging aids in recovery from disabilities

Maintaining a positive outlook on aging helps many seniors recover from disabilities and extend independence, study finds Read More »

The beginning of flu season

Itchy eyes, running nose, hacking cough…. It’s that time of year when viruses can wreak havoc on an LTC facility. Whether the flu victimizes residents or staff, widespread illness upsets the ebb and flow of a facility's daily routine. Read More »

By dawn’s early light

The “Greatest Generation” is fading like a photograph left in the sun. Make every day a day of remembrance and gratitude for their contributions to our families and our country. Read More »

The 5 holiday gifts Grandma will actually want

What to get Gramma for the holidays? Forget the slippers and focus on a deeper understanding of what elders actually crave. Read More »

2012 National Influenza Vaccination Week

National health groups promote flu vaccine programs for keeping seniors—and their caregivers—healthy this season. Read More »

Studies link vitamin D to cognitive health

Two studies link vitamin D to supporting cognitive health in seniors. Findings show that nutrition is an important part of healthy aging. Read More »

Flu season set to peak early; may collide with holidays

Whether you're a senior or a caregiver, take preventative steps now to make sure your holiday gift isn’t the flu. Read More »

Study shows where seniors enjoy the best health-related quality of life in U.S.

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 »

Making progress one step at a time

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 »

Brain fitness, risk and safety

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 »

Depression is biggest factor affecting those with Parkinson’s

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 »

Exercise boosts brain health and improves Parkinson’s, imaging studies show

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 »