Blood pressure meds help even frail seniors live longer: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 08, 2020
When older adults take blood pressure medications as prescribed, even the most frail live longer, according to a study of 1.3 million.
Genetic risk of teeth and gum problems tied to declining brain health
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 06, 2023
A study of brain MRIs found 43% higher microstructural damage scores in adults who are genetically prone to poor oral health.
Antibiotics use spiked in nursing homes early in pandemic, studies find
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2021
Nursing homes saw a big jump in certain antibiotic prescriptions early in the pandemic, and more than half of hospitalized COVID-19 patients received antibiotics in the first six months, researchers say.
Too few cancer patients referred to rehabilitation, experts find
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 18, 2020
Less than 10% of cancer patients with demonstrated functional impairments are referred to rehabilitation, according to a systematic review of current guidelines.
CDC: A third of healthcare workers hospitalized with COVID were treated in ICU
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 28, 2020
Six percent of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 early in the pandemic were healthcare workers. Fully 36% of these patients were in nursing-related occupations, and about a third became severely ill, the...
Sepsis watch needed after a hospital stay: 1 in 3 face death risk
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 07, 2019
Residents who exit the hospital after a bout with sepsis aren’t out of the woods for up to a year and require special post-acute vigilance, researchers say.
Verma: CMS to ensure free COVID vaccine for seniors, Medicaid beneficiaries
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 16, 2020
The agency has a plan to expedite the new coverage and will provide more information before the end of October, Verma said. CMS is also working on appropriate Medicare fees for administration of potential...
Head injury doubles 30-year mortality risk, deaths tied to neuro diseases: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 24, 2023
The more severe the injury, the greater the risk, investigators report. Many of these eventual deaths are linked to neurological conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
Aggressive end-of-life cancer care remains common in nursing homes: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 22, 2023
Cancer patients in nursing homes receive more aggressive end-of-life care than their community-dwelling peers, despite a push to reduce treatments that compromise quality of life, investigators say.
Thyroid hormone treatment for older adults may do more harm than good, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 08, 2020
Hormone replacement therapy almost doubles the mortality risk in seniors with subclinical hypothyroidism compared to those who do not take hormones.