Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “News”
Failure to identify and treat a resident change in condition continues to be a hot spot button for litigation? It has been in the “top 3” for many years and as we promote the “aging in place” philosophy, residents may be at higher risk for experiencing changes in condition. The federal regulations are clear: A “significant change in condition” is …
We all know that “fat” is not good for us, even “good fats” in excess can cause health issues, but did you know that it may also reduce brain volume? Yikes! In a study of healthy, middle-aged adults, greater visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat predicted brain atrophy especially in women. Hmmm, that just doesn’t seem fair especially for post-menopausal women, …
They don’t play well together; however, physicians prescribe more unnecessary antibiotics during colder months than warmer months. One study found that between October and March (winter) more inappropriate prescriptions for antibiotics were written, 72.4% compared to 62% during April through September (summer). Why you ask? Well, there is likely more than one reason however, researchers found that decision fatigue could …
It is starting again. The front entrance to a skilled nursing center, posting says there is active COVID in the building. I enter, a sign in the lobby indicates that masking is recommended and there is a box of masks on the counter. There is a hand hygiene station next to the front desk, however no notice that handwashing is …
Yes, hard to believe, right? Summer flew by, lots of fun and family events, reunions, weddings, graduations, BA.2.86, Omicron, super spreaders, oh wait, not COVID! Sadly, yes, the number of positive COVID cases is on the rise again. The experts predicted there may be an uptick this winter, but no one predicted the fall? Having been touched personally by this …
Mental illness affects 65-90% of people who live in long-term care facilities. This statistic stems from deinstitutionalization, a phenomenon that occurred more than fifty years ago, where officials shuffled mentally ill patients from state run psychiatric hospitals to community-based programs. When these programs could not meet the high demands of care, long-term facilities and nursing homes experienced a surge of …
These are two words you don’t generally see together but in a recent study, it was identified that vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) may decrease the incidence of cancer. Imagine, having something as simple as this in our toolbox to help prevent cancer! The study suggests that 3-4 minutes of VILPA may be a promising intervention for cancer prevention. …
Many people call it the miracle drug, commonly prescribed to the elderly for diabetic neuropathy, but hold on! A recent study revealed that this medication can also affect the cardiovascular system. Gabapentin is widely used, and the common side effects seem pretty benign, somnolence and dizziness, but what about cardiac side effects? One observational study showed that gabapentin can be …
There has been a lot of discussion in the medical community regarding opioid use, opioid overdose, and illegal trafficking of opioids. The frequency of opioid overdose is rapidly increasing partly due to the increased use of prescription narcotics. In fact, drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, with opioids being the most common cause. …
Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. While sepsis can impact anyone, including the sick, and people of all ages, some groups are more likely to be affected including older adults and those with weakened immune systems. What are the signs of sepsis? A person with sepsis …
