What a year it has been; actually, it has been almost 18 months and we are still battling the pandemic war. Honestly, did anyone predict that we would still be spreading the virus by this time in 2021? I certainly didn’t, but here we are! So, at the end of the day, what impact did this have on our seniors …
As we approach another annual “National Assisted Living Week” (September 12-18, 2021), it is a great reminder to be thankful to those who care for our frail elderly. National assisted living week was founded by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) in 1995, way before assisted living became such a prominent part of the post-term care community! The logo …
I don’t know about you but as I age, I am feeling the effects of the “Ritis Brothers,” yep arthritis! I was having a conversation with a friend the other day and commented that if I’m sitting on a flat surface like the floor, my hips just don’t work as well when I try to get up. Very sad indeed …
We have all read articles on the negative health effects of caffeine on our body, right? I, for one, have rationalized why caffeine is important to my quality of life, everything from preventing headaches, keeping me awake and tuned in, and of course because what isn’t to love about caffeine? It doesn’t matter if you drink a delicious cup of …
Post-pandemic, everyone is dieting; we hear things like “I caught the 19,” meaning pounds not the virus! Yes, as we hunkered down and tried to stay sane, many of us turned to comfort foods, good wine, pizza, and anything that could be delivered to our doorsteps. Now we face the challenge of reintroducing healthy eating to our lifestyles. You may …
Alzheimer’s is a horrible, debilitating disease that brings heartbreak and loss to way too many families. It is no wonder that drug manufacturers are working diligently to find a treatment. Sadly, many of the drug trials we have heard about have not been successful so imagine the excitement when Biogen announced they had a treatment option!
President Biden has announced that his administration plans to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all nursing home staff. Everyone is getting very nervous, the associations are speaking out on our behalf and now we sit and wait for the final rule. But, should we really be nervous? Should we be concerned that we will lose more staff? Staff that we don’t …
The pandemic has had a huge impact on all of us, but even more so for residents living in post-acute centers. We have all witnessed the loneliness, isolation, physical and mental declines and if that isn’t troubling enough, a recent study found a significant increase in residents receiving antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, trazodone hydrochloride, anticonvulsants, and opioids. If you think about …
We have all heard the old adage, maybe from your parents or grandparents, You Don’t Use it You Lose it, right? Well in an interesting article published in Medical Xpress, they found that although physical activity does positively impact people with depression, treatment with antidepressants is more effective long-term! Does that mean we should sit home and take medications instead …
The debate rages on, vaccinate, don’t vaccinate, isolate, don’t isolate, quarantine, don’t quarantine and oh, by the way, what’s the difference?! Just as we thought we had turned the corner, bring on Delta and now the newest variant Lambda! The experts are not clear on what impact these new variants will have on life as we know it however one …
