CMS to weigh national Medicare coverage for Aduhelm, other Alzheimer’s drugs
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 14, 2021
The agency is considering whether to establish a national coverage policy for monoclonal antibody drugs that treat Alzheimer’s disease, including the newly approved drug aducanumab (Aduhelm).
Seniors’ sense of smell weakens, but not their enjoyment of food, researchers find
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 13, 2021
The sense of smell declines with age, but this loss doesn’t happen across the board, a new study shows. The findings may help care providers improve the meals and dining experiences of older adults in...
Elder frailty a key predictor of survival following ICU admission, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2021
Severity of baseline frailty is a strong predictor of one-year survival in older adults facing critical illness. It also is key to informing treatment plans and goals of care for these individuals, researchers...
Survey of physicians supports recognition of PALTC medicine as a specialty practice
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2021
The results highlight the “unique and specific nature of medical care provided by attending physicians across a range of PALTC settings,” concluded a task force of industry experts.
Calculator predicts elders’ need for palliative care
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 07, 2021
A new online tool can help frail older adults and their clinicians estimate six-month life expectancy and better plan for end-of-life care, according to real-world studies from Canada.
CDC: Portable air cleaners cut exposure to COVID-19 virus by 65 percent
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 06, 2021
In a simulated meeting with infected and uninfected participants, properly placed portable air cleaners with HEPA air filters slashed virus transmission. Adding masks was even more effective — cutting...
J&J vaccine effective against COVID Delta variant, drugmaker says
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 06, 2021
Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine prompts a “strong neutralizing antibody response” that lasts at least eight months, the drugmaker has announced.
One quarter of Americans will experience ‘severe need’ for long-term care services: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 02, 2021
About one fifth will require no services at all, a new analysis shows. But a sizable number will “experience the type of severe needs that most people dread,” the investigators say.
Antigen tests just as effective as PCR in preventing COVID outbreaks, NIH study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 02, 2021
A “highly anticipated” study now shows that both testing approaches can give 98% sensitivity when used at least twice weekly in a screening program.
U.S. reps launch ‘much-needed’ LTC infection control and prevention caucus
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 30, 2021
A new bipartisan congressional caucus will identify opportunities for sorely needed infection control and prevention reform legislation in long-term care, say the two Florida representatives who spearheaded...