Enrichment activities activate genes that help seniors resist cognitive decline
By
Amy Novotney
Nov 08, 2021
Spending time on intellectually stimulating activities appears to activate a gene family known as MEF2, which controls a genetic program in the brain that promotes resistance to cognitive decline. That’s...
Protection declines dramatically over time for all three COVID-19 vaccines: study
By
Amy Novotney
Nov 08, 2021
As the delta variant became the dominant strain of coronavirus across the United States, all three COVID-19 vaccines available to Americans lost some of their protective power, with vaccine efficacy among...
Clinical briefs for Monday, Nov. 8
By
Amy Novotney
Nov 08, 2021
New treatment approach leads to improved outcomes for patients with advanced heart disease … Severe COVID-19 infection stops blood from being properly oxygen, new imaging source confirms … Study links...
Telehealth reduces stress, increases access to care for nursing home residents: study
By
Amy Novotney
Nov 05, 2021
The use of telehealth visits to see patients not only reduced stress for nursing home residents, but also increased their access to convenient care, according to a study led by researchers at the University...
Most elders use sleep meds, but only half discuss use with their doctors: study
By
Amy Novotney
Nov 05, 2021
Older adults frequently use medication to treat sleep difficulties, but only about half discuss it with their physicians, study results presented at Psych Congress 2021 this week found. In fact, the majority...
Federal programs helped vaccinate LTC residents quickly but delayed other vaccination efforts: GAO
By
Amy Novotney
Nov 05, 2021
The federal government’s Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care program was a boon for quickly getting COVID-19 vaccines into the arms of nursing home residents at highest risk of contracting the virus,...
Clinical briefs for Friday, Nov. 5
By
Amy Novotney
Nov 05, 2021
All long-term care and home care workers must be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4: CMS … Lab receives $1.6M grant to develop non-invasive chronic wound biopsies … Geriatric assessments help personalize care,...
Drug pricing reform deal may allow Medicare to negotiate with drug firms for first time
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 04, 2021
The Democrats’ deal also would limit insulin costs and cap annual out-of-pocket spending at $2,000 for seniors. Pharmacy benefit managers would face transparency requirements as well.
J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine 74 percent effective, real-world study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 04, 2021
Data from more than 8,800 vaccinated Mayo Clinic patients has found that a single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine reduces hospitalization in the face of widely circulating gene variants.
Study: Seniors recover from fall-inducing vertigo on par with younger adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 04, 2021
Older adults are just as likely to benefit from a specialized treatment that can eliminate problems with intense dizziness, investigators say.