RSV disrupts daily functioning of older adults, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 07, 2022
Interviews revealed a range of impacts from respiratory syncytial virus, a common scourge of LTC facilities.
Clinical briefs for Friday, Jan. 7
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 07, 2022
Nurses’ unions ask federal court to intervene with OSHA protections for healthcare workers … Omicron may be less severe in older patients, but not “mild,” WHO reports … Feds have no plans to...
HHS to LTC operators: Step up your booster clinic timelines before year ends
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 22, 2021
Long-term care operators should speed up plans to help residents boost their immunity before an expected COVID-19 surge hits, a federal official told virtual town hall attendees Tuesday.
U.S. may reduce 10-day isolation period in bid to keep healthcare workers on the job
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 22, 2021
Healthcare facilities will need all hands on deck to respond to expected COVID-19 surges, and a shortened isolation period for those who test positive but are symptomless and fully vaccinated could help,...
Study pinpoints risk factors for extreme skin fragility in older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 21, 2021
More than a quarter of older patients examined in a rehab facility were found to have dermatoporosis, or dangerously fragile skin. Four key factors were associated with higher odds of having the condition,...
CDC: Boosted nursing home residents 10 times less likely to be infected with COVID-19
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 17, 2021
The news, delivered by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, is a bit of cheer amidst other new evidence that COVID-19 cases are increasing among fully vaccinated long-term care residents.
COVID-19 stress has hit older adults with health problems hardest, latest poll shows
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 16, 2021
Seniors with poor physical and mental health have endured an outsized burden of pandemic stress, according to a National Poll on Healthy Aging update.
Omicron renders Pfizer vaccine less effective; variant surge to hit U.S. by January
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 15, 2021
The vaccine is less able to prevent infection, but retains 70% protection against hospitalization, a new study shows. The news comes as federal health officials warn that omicron is spreading rapidly in...
Staff vaccination rate tied to resident deaths in COVID-19 hot spots, national data show
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 10, 2021
Estimates reveal that if a large sample of U.S. nursing homes had averaged 83% staff vaccination coverage this summer, at least 700 fewer residents would have died from COVID-19 over a two-month period.
Pro-inflammatory diet linked to frailty in older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 10, 2021
Older and middle-aged adults who consume a diet high in simple carbohydrates and saturated fats have higher odds of developing frailty, a new study finds.