Tralokinumab Breaks Ground in Atopic Dermatitis Care September 18, 2023Study Finds Hope For Those With Atopic Dermatitis “Tralokinumab proves safe and effective for older adults with atopic dermatitis, as per a recent trial,” reports Joseph F. Merola, MD, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, who led the study. The drug, already approved for adults with the condition, displayed remarkable results in a phase 3 ...read more

Study Finds An Increase of Overprescribed Antibiotics in Winter September 13, 2023A Closer Look at Winter Antibiotic Prescribing Practices “Antibiotics may be overprescribed during winter compared to summer, potentially impacting older adults in long-term care facilities,” reveals a University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine study. Published in Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology, the research scrutinized antibiotics prescribed for respiratory issues across 32 primary care practices in 2016-2017. ...read more

Drug Safety Concerns for Seniors: Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use on the Rise August 21, 2023Aging Population Faces Drug Safety Concerns An international study revealed that older adults receiving outpatient services face an increasing risk of using potentially inappropriate medications. Researchers noted that the prevalence of such medication use has surged over the past two decades, affecting the well-being of the aging population. The meta-analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, scrutinized 94 ...read more

Probiotics: A Potential Weapon Against Cognitive Decline in Aging August 14, 2023Study Reveals Probiotic’s Positive Impact on Cognitive Health in Older Patients According to a study presented at the American Society for Nutrition conference, probiotics may prevent cognitive decline associated with aging. The researchers believe targeting the gut microbiome could be a promising approach to combat cognitive decline in older adults. One particular probiotic that stood out in ...read more

Study Shows Loneliness in Long-Term Care Has an Effect on Health August 10, 2023Addressing Loneliness in Long-Term Care Facilities Social isolation and loneliness have significant implications for physical health. A recent report reviewing numerous studies found that social isolation increases the risk of early death by 26%, while loneliness raises it by 14%. Loneliness can also contribute to dementia, inflammation, vascular problems, and heart disease. The exact mechanisms of ...read more

New Study Reveals Light Exercise Lowers Hospital Admissions in Dialysis Patients July 31, 2023Dialysis Patients Benefit: Exercise Improves Health A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that light exercise can significantly reduce hospital admissions and improve physical fitness for individuals undergoing dialysis. The study, conducted by researchers at the Technical University of Munich, involved approximately 1,000 dialysis patients from 21 locations in Germany. Over a ...read more

Study Highlights Urgency for Enhancing Hip Fracture Prevention and Care Globally July 17, 2023Lack of Post-Fracture Treatment and Rising Incidence Threaten the Global Hip Fracture Epidemic According to a recent study, hip fracture prevalence is declining in various countries and regions worldwide. By 2050, the total number of hip fractures is estimated to nearly double compared to 2018. An international team of researchers analyzed hip fracture incidence, post-fracture treatment, and ...read more

Long-Term Care Facilities Anticipate Positive Impact as Medicare Considers Coverage for Alzheimer’s Drugs July 6, 2023Medicare Coverage for Alzheimer’s Drugs Brings Hope for Enhanced Care “Medicare will cover drugs that may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease if the FDA grants traditional approval,” announced Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. She emphasized the impact of Alzheimer’s on patients, loved ones, and caregivers, stating, “CMS has always been committed ...read more

Study Shows Social Interaction Crucial for Hip Fracture Recovery, Especially for Men June 26, 2023Social Support Plays Key Role in Successful Rehabilitation after Hip Fracture According to researchers, a patient’s social interaction after a hip fracture can significantly impact their recovery during post-acute rehabilitation. The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, emphasizes the importance of considering social factors when planning rehabilitation for hip fracture patients, particularly ...read more

Regular Exercise Lowers Risk of Flu and Pneumonia Deaths, Finds Groundbreaking Study June 5, 2023New Study Reveals: Physical Activity Cuts Flu and Pneumonia Mortality Risk in Half According to a recent study, regular exercise and muscle-strengthening activities can significantly reduce the risk of death from the flu or pneumonia. The study, which analyzed data from the National Health Interview Study spanning two decades, involved 577,909 adults in the United States. Over the ...read more

Long-Term Care Facilities Could be in Jeopardy May 22, 2023Impending Crisis: US Debt Limit Long-term care advocates and experts warn that the US is in danger of breaching its debt limit, which could have serious repercussions for the long-term care sector. The country hit its debt limit of $31.4 trillion on Jan. 19, and the US Treasury has been taking “extraordinary measures” to keep the ...read more

First-Ever RSV Vaccine Approved for Adults Over 60 May 15, 2023Arexvy Vaccine Provides Significant Protection For Long-Term Care Facilities The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first-ever vaccine to protect people from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Arexvy, produced by GSK, has been indicated for use in adults aged 60 years and above. RSV is a highly contagious virus that leads to seasonal outbreaks, and while ...read more

New Study Highlights Inequity in Sleep Apnea May 8, 2023Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea Puts Older Adults in Long-Term Care at Risk, Warns Study A new study has found that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and dementia in older adults. Yet, it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in people aged 50 and above. To highlight areas of inequity in OSA care, researchers analyzed ...read more

First Over-the-Counter Naloxone Nasal Spray Approved by FDA May 1, 2023FDA Greenlights Over The Counter Sale The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved the first over-the-counter (OTC) nasal spray of naloxone, a medication used to treat opioid overdoses. This is a significant step towards making life-saving medication more readily accessible to people who are at risk of an opioid overdose. In the FDA’s ...read more

Gender Gap in Healthcare Leadership Roles Highlighted in New Report April 24, 2023Women Underrepresented in Healthcare Leadership Roles, Report Finds According to a new LinkedIn report, there is a significant gap between the number of women working in healthcare and the number of women in leadership roles. The report found that “women don’t seem to be climbing the corporate ladder” and remain underrepresented the higher up one goes. The ...read more

Vitamin D May Be The Answer To Alzheimer’s April 17, 2023A New Report on How Vitamin D Could Protect Patients With Alzheimer’s A new study shows exposure to Vitamin D supplements is linked to a lower rate of dementia and longer dementia-free survival compared to no exposure to Vitamin D. Conducting a study from over 12,000 older participants using data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, ...read more

Medicare and Medicaid Update Coverage For Patients April 17, 2023The Medicare and Medicaid Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act New legislation has been introduced to expand Medicaid and Medicare coverage to include basic dental, vision, and hearing access. With over 148 million people relying on Medicare and Medicaid as their primary source of health coverage, this addition would change many lives. Currently, Medicaid can provide ...read more

Shifting The Stigma Around Medical Errors April 10, 2023New Study Shows Healthcare Worker Satisfaction Can Improve By Taking “Blame and Shame” Out A new study looked at the CANDOR method—a timely, thorough, and just response when unexpected events cause patient harm—shifting the culture from “deny and defend” to “disclosure and apology.” By shifting this mindset, when medical mistakes are made, it could improve burnout ...read more

Five Ways to Make Long-Term Care Facilities Safer April 3, 2023Creating a Safe and Secure Environment for Long-Term Care Residents Healthcare facilities must be safe places for residents, loved ones, and staff—it should be the top priority. It can be challenging to make residents comfortable in their living environment and family and friends feel secure in leaving their loved ones. Here are five steps to ensure ...read more

Five Ways to Make Patients Feel More at Home March 27, 2023Five Quick and Easy Ways to Make a Patients Stay More Comfortable Healthcare goes beyond medicine; it’s about treating the patient like a person. So, while staying in long-term care facilities, it’s essential they feel as comfortable as possible. The situation can be upsetting to some, so making a patient feel at home can make a ...read more