A long-standing debate continues to brew around the country, do we perform dexascans on elderly patients and if so, do we treat a diagnosis of osteoporosis aggressively? I’m not sure there is an answer that meets every situation but it does raise the question, what impact would treatment have on outcomes? Elderly females are a higher risk for hip fractures …
Viral Video – Sleeping Staff
A video posted on a social media platform shows a female staff member slumping at a medical cart, apparently asleep. Of course, the video went viral with more than 50,000 views and shared more than 2,000 times. Yikes. Who would post such a thing? Shocking, it was a co-worker at the nursing home. Why would a staff member do something …
Point-of-Care Testing
We have all heard about them, most of us have used them during the COVID pandemic, point-of-care testing. We can test for some of the most problematic infections in our communities but imagine if you will, being able to access point-of-care testing for diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)! Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia. It is presently …
The Chicken or the Egg
Urinary tract infection is the most frequent bacterial infection in residents of post-acute care facilities. Most infections are asymptomatic, with a remarkable prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria of 15%-50% among all residents. The major reasons for this high prevalence are chronic comorbid illnesses, neurogenic bladder, and incontinence management. We are constantly facing challenges with new types of bacteria, MDROs, etc. so …
No Pain No Gain
We have all heard this, no pain, no gain, right? I for one avoid pain at all costs including avoiding the dentist! That being said, there may be more to this than I previously thought! I watch with amazement when athletes compete in high endurance activities such as marathon running, cross country running, tough mudders, etc. Then I sit back …
Preventing Healthcare Associated Infections
New infection control practice guidelines are now available; a collaborative effort led by the SHEA, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the American Hospital Association (AHA), and The Joint Commission. These organizations work diligently day in and day out, to assist healthcare providers in preventing nosocomial infections and these …
Dementia and Insomnia
Sleep disturbances are common issues for people living with dementia. This can be in the form of general insomnia, shortened sleep cycles, frequent awakening during the night, daytime napping, and reduced rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Approximately 44% of patients living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have sleep disturbance, and that number rises to 90% for those with dementia with Lewy …
Vitamin D – The Magic Pill?
There has been a lot of talk about the benefits of Vitamin D for seniors, everything from improving memory loss to reduced mortality, depending on what study you read. In fairness, many physicians start older adults on Vitamin D in the belief that it will decrease falls and fractures. True, seniors are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency due …
Artificial Sweeteners
Remember the day when we used saccharine to sweeten our coffee or tea? Then researchers discovered that this additive can cause cancer and bam, off the market. I remember neighbors running out to stock up on diet soda before the stores removed it from the shelves. I wondered why someone would stock up on something that isn’t healthy. Well, these …
Gardening
I, for one have never been a gardener – I don’t like bugs, worms, or dirt, however, many of my friends and family LOVE to garden! That said, I enjoy the bounty of fresh vegetables my gardening friends share with me, a little selfish probably? Those who garden say it is like being on a deserted island, no one bothers …