Omicron remains lethal in the older and unvaccinated, former CDC chief warns
Mar 23, 2022
The next wave of COVID-19 is on its way and unvaccinated elders are at risk of being hit hard, according to former CDC director Tom Frieden, M.D. “If we learn quickly and act quickly, we can outmaneuver...
Stable use of antipsychotics in long-term care during pandemic ‘reassuring’: study
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Mar 07, 2022
The use of antipsychotics and pain medications in assisted living and nursing home residents was relatively unchanged early in the pandemic. New residents were more likely to get certain drugs, however.
Only 4 states have hit 75 percent LTC staff vaccination goal, new CMS data reveal
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 30, 2021
States that have achieved the industry’s June 30 goal are Hawaii, Vermont, Alaska and California, with staff member vaccination rates ranging from 83% to 75%. By contrast, the lowest-ranked state...
Town hall meetings reveal vaccine misinformation ‘widespread’ among SNF staff
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 29, 2021
“Outspoken” staff members from 50 skilled nursing facilities shared their vaccine concerns with investigators in a series of meetings this winter. The speed of vaccine development and infertility-...
CNAs cite staffing shortage as biggest on-the-job challenge: survey
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Mar 07, 2022
“This survey reveals not only that CNAs are burned out and frustrated, but also that the CNA staffing shortage itself is posing the greatest challenge to their work right now,” NAHCA CEO Lori Porter...
Hurricanes hastened the deaths of adults with dementia, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 08, 2023
People with Alzheimer’s and related dementias (ADRD) had higher mortality rates in U.S. counties that had recently experienced a hurricane disaster, investigators report.
Monoclonal antibodies ‘unequivocally’ saved lives during pandemic, patient data show
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 14, 2023
For two years, monoclonal antibodies were approved, revoked and sometimes reauthorized or scarce, but pushing through these challenges “unequivocally saved lives and prevented hospitalizations,”...
Specialists propose new framework for dialysis decisions in the elderly
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 22, 2022
Older, frail patients with kidney failure may benefit from a new approach to dialysis discussions that supports a deferred decision, experts say.
Docs push for new COVID-19 funding as signs point to rebound in U.S. omicron cases
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 17, 2022
The alternative is to risk leaving patients without access to needed vaccines, treatments and testing, the American College of Physicians has told Congress.
Fed’s booster OK too late? Nursing home loses 8 to coronavirus outbreak this fall
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 17, 2021
A Connecticut nursing home has weathered a facility-wide COVID-19 outbreak that has sickened 89 residents and staff. Booster shots were not yet authorized when the first cases appeared, the operator reports.