Safety means ‘seeing the virus’: Atria recounts rollout of 18,000 tests early in pandemic
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 09, 2021
Finding a way to conduct COVID-19 testing among 31,000 residents and staff members across multiple states helped the senior living giant to “seal out” outbreaks and show that its communities were safe...
Elders’ mental distress rose during COVID surges, U.S. Census Bureau finds
By
Alicia Lasek
May 05, 2021
Psychiatric drug use and mental health counseling rose alongside COVID case counts, according to a CDC / Census Bureau survey analysis.
Better is better
By
Gary Tetz
Mar 18, 2021
So, how are you coping, compared to the other pandemics you’ve had to contend with?
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.
Fauci: ‘Pan-viral’ vaccine may be needed to tackle tenacious COVID-19 long-term
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 16, 2021
The virus that causes COVID-19 likely is here to stay, and its success in humans means that stronger defense measures will be needed, say Anthony Fauci, M.D., and colleagues from the National Institute...
Even amid COVID surge, many seniors housing operators not increasing move-in restrictions: NIC
By
Amy Novotney
Jan 15, 2021
Roughly two-thirds of long-term care organizations report that they have not increased move-in restrictions. Operators presumably are now more confident in infection prevention and creative, safe visitation...
Older adults’ mental health is resilient during pandemic, new study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 14, 2021
Older adults say that they are no worse off on some indicators of loneliness and overall mental health than they were five years ago, though general happiness has declined. Technology has been a coping...
Long-term care headed for a high-proof shot of reality?
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 20, 2020
I was taught long ago that liquor has a way of magnifying something that’s already there. A truly happy person will becomes extremely jocular and gregarious when drunk. On the other hand, an innately...
Feds uncover coronavirus’s heavy toll on assisted living
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 20, 2020
As of Oct. 15, 22% of assisted living communities in 39 states reported cases of COVID-19 among residents and staff members. Rates ranged widely, from 1.3% of communities in Iowa to 93% of Connecticut...
Don’t shelve rapid tests as COVID cases climb, advocates implore nursing homes
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 03, 2020
Industry advocates say it’s time for facility operators who have not made full use of rapid antigen tests to start doing so — before nursing home deaths begin to spike again. CMS must “take to...