Pandemic isolation has led to more falls among seniors, online survey finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 21, 2021
For some seniors, pandemic isolation has created a perfect storm of physical inactivity and deconditioning that has resulted in increased falls risk and greater fear of falling, researchers say.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Sept. 21
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 21, 2021
Humana reports rise in seniors’ COVID hospitalizations … Moderna shot leads pack at preventing COVID hospitalization, CDC finds … Experts unsure what flu has in store for this season … Drug combo...
Nursing homes, feds hide sky-high antipsychotic use with dubious diagnoses: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 20, 2021
At least one-fifth of nursing home residents are taking the drugs, many for schizophrenia, a diagnosis that has skyrocketed in these settings since 2012, a new investigation finds.
When the fog lifts
By
Gary Tetz
Sep 16, 2021
I fancy myself a brave and intrepid hiker, and a couple weeks ago chose a particularly daunting trail that was rumored to lead to some of the best possible views of Mount Hood, the 11,249-foot peak that...
Vaccine potency wanes, but third COVID shot restores 95 percent efficacy, new data show
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 16, 2021
New data from vaccine maker Pfizer and Israel’s health ministry may help U.S. health agencies make a case for recommending COVID-19 booster shots, various sources report.
Dehydration plagues nursing home residents with COVID in facility study
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 16, 2021
Clinically significant dehydration is very common among residents with COVID-19 — especially those with dementia or delirium, investigators found. Care providers should be ready with IV fluids and a...
Also in the News for Tuesday, Sept. 14
Sep 14, 2021
CDC updates guidance for routine COVID testing in nursing homes … True rate of antipsychotic use in nursing homes unknown due to some diagnoses … Most seniors believe healthcare workers should be required...
Life safety alert: Storage is prohibited in the means of egress
By
Stan Szpytek
Sep 13, 2021
As a Life Safety Consultant working directly with LTC providers around the country as well as with many state healthcare associations, I need to start this piece by being blunt and will get straight to...
BREAKING: HHS releases $25.5 billion in additional provider relief funds
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 10, 2021
Providers can begin applying for their share of an additional $25.5 billion in COVID-19 relief funds starting Sept. 29, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday morning.
BREAKING: Feds expand COVID vaccine mandate to all healthcare workers
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 09, 2021
Staff in all Medicare- and Medicaid-certified facilities will soon be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Thursday afternoon.