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 …
I sat in on an interesting NADONA/PharMerica webinar on Survey Activity State by State: A Town Hall with DONs and Administrators and it was great! Thank you to the speakers and organizations for sharing this important information with us! There were several take aways, some shocking, one state had 55% of buildings cited for Accidents and Incidents (689) at a …
The timing of flu vaccination has not changed, September and October are still the best times for most people to get vaccinated. The CDC continues to recommend vaccination as long as flu viruses pose a threat for everyone 6 months and older since 2010. Most flu vaccines continue to be produced using an egg-based manufacturing process and contain a small …
Falls are the most common cause of head injuries and research has shown that elderly patients older than 65 years old have about a 27% chance of falling in any given year. Most falls in this population tend to be ground-level falls which would otherwise be benign in younger people. However, advancing age often leads to progressive brain atrophy, leaving …
Today’s headlines are riddled with stories of extreme temperatures and heat-related fatalities, and due to climate change, extreme weather such as excessive heat will only intensify. High temperatures can have a grave impact on the human body, especially the bodies of the elderly. The CDC reports that most heat-related deaths occur between the ages of 55 and 74. The senior …
“Recent media reports have highlighted occurrences of nursing home staff taking unauthorized photographs or video recordings of nursing home residents, sometimes in compromised positions. The photographs are then posted on social media networks or sent through multimedia messages. It is our responsibility to establish an environment that is as homelike as possible and includes a culture and environment that treats …
An arbitration agreement is a contract that says all parties agree to resolve any disputes out of court, through a process called arbitration. In post-acute care, the regulations clearly state that an arbitration agreement cannot be buried or hidden, and it must be clearly reviewed/explained to the resident and/or their LEGAL representative. As with pretty much any regulations in post-acute …
“Bullying isn’t limited to the playground. Assisted living communities care for millions of seniors with diverse backgrounds and unique needs and behaviors. Bullying and its adverse effects have received greater focus in recent years, creating a need to have systems and processes in place to prevent bullying among seniors living in long-term care.” Thank you NCAL for updating the “Bullying …
