A high-dose flu vaccine is significantly better than a regular flu shot at boosting the immune response to the flu virus in frail, older residents of long-term care facilities, according to the results of a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study funded by a vaccine manufacturer. Read More »
A sick workforce can create staffing and resident wellness challenges for long-term care providers. A new toolkit is designed to help employers educate their staff members on the importance of being vaccinated against influenza. Read More »
The prevalence of particularly nasty flu viruses this year is prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to predict a potentially severe flu season. The agency recommends immediate vaccination or quick treatment as warranted. Read More »
Infection control is a major culprit in the often-fatal virus known as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, according to a new literature review. Read More »
Leaders in organizations representing seniors housing and services providers share with Long-Term Living their wish lists for the upcoming White House Conference on Aging. Do you agree with their picks? Read More »
CMS has followed the lead of a preventive services agency and proposed coverage of annual lung cancer screenings for certain older adults. But can Medicare afford it? Read More »
Two centers and 11 projects studying ways to improve cognition, decision-making, mobility and the independence of older people are expected to receive more than $23 million in funding over five years from the National Institute on Aging. Read More »
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued two contracts in an effort to enable healthcare professionals to diagnose influenza sooner and more accurately. Read More »
Facilities need to take action to make headway against Clostridium difficile infection, according to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. New research provides additional insights into the intestinal superbug. Read More »
A three-year, $2.2 million grant from the federal Administration on Aging will move the National Center on Elder Abuse from one university to another. Read More »
The American Physical Therapy Association, as part of the Choosing Wisely campaign, has released a list of five practices it says are of questionable value to those undergoing physical therapy. Read More »
Coaching residents who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on three coping techniques can boost their quality of life and can even improve physical symptoms, new research has found. And technology can make the approach relatively low-cost. Read More »
Unlike their grandparents, many of today's seniors keep their teeth well into their advanced years. Caring for their dental issues requires dentists to have an understanding of how to deliver optimum oral care to this demographic. Read More »
Social interactions, exercise, music, dance, jokes and foods all can have a lasting emotional effect on quality of life and subjective well-being for residents with dementia, new research confirms. Read More »
Certain adults are more vulnerable than others, and vaccination rates vary by gender and geography. See what you can do, and find out what this year's vaccine covers. Read More »
Watching television programs on a big-screen TV gives residents an opportunity to share and socialize. But what happens when the set goes on the blink? Read More »
Following advice from the CDC, you'll want to ensure that older residents and employees are vaccinated against pneumonia at the same time that they receive the flu shot. The government now recommends two pneumonia vaccines over the course of most people's lives. Read More »
While two pneumonia vaccines are recommended to seniors for optimal protection, will cost/coverage discourage them from receiving the second vaccine? Read More »
Long-term care organizations would be wise to reevaluate their dining programs to satisfy the adventurous and sophisticated palates of the new senior population. One noted chef shares his philosophy and vision of wedding good nutrition with high-end culinary options. Read More »
Prioritizing comfort in the care of residents with advanced dementia enabled one nursing home to reap many rewards for residents and their families, the community and staff members. Its innovative model was detailed in a Sept. 8 workshop convened by the Institute of Medicine. Read More »
Results of a recent study may have you thinking about offering malnutrition screening to residents, as well as helping to address underlying issues. Read More »
A Kentucky registry will enable long-term care employers to view a list of people who have records of substantiated maltreatment of adults who were in their care. Read More »
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved an inhalation spray, olodaterol, to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Read More »
In interactions with residents, families and co-workers, if you replace handshakes and high fives with fist bumps, you’ll transmit significantly fewer bacteria and may prevent the spread of healthcare-acquired infections, according to a recent study. Read More »
