FDA: Viral mutations unlikely to cause false negatives in COVID-19 tests
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2021
The agency has alerted healthcare providers that it is monitoring approved SARS-CoV-2 molecular tests to ensure that new viral mutations do not alter their accuracy.
Vaccination pace to speed up in long-term care; focus is now on uptake, advocate says
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 07, 2021
Encouraging uptake among staff and residents should be LTC administrators’ goal as the vaccination program ramps up, according to the AHCA / NCAL.
Slowed gait and reaction speed in elders may signal imminent depression, anxiety
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 05, 2021
Older adults who experience both slower gait and psychomotor speed are twice as likely to experience new onset depression and anxiety, investigators say.
Staff and residents differ in willingness to be vaccinated
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 04, 2021
There is a distinct contrast between the numbers of long-term care staff members and residents willing to receive the first round of COVID-19 vaccines, industry observers report. Education is key to supporting...
No severe reactions to COVID-19 vaccine so far in long-term care: early reports
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 04, 2021
The initial onsite clinic experience was positive overall, despite some expected side effects, says industry advocate LeadingAge, whose affiliates represent 43 states.
Short-term ‘prehab’ doesn’t prevent muscle wasting after surgery, therapists find
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 22, 2020
Older adults who are scheduled for elective surgery will likely benefit more from a longer-term prehab program of targeted strength exercises, therapist-researchers say.
Medication may boost thinking speed in advanced multiple sclerosis
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 21, 2020
People with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis who take the drug siponimod for two years show an improvement in thinking skills, researchers say.
Boost rehab efforts to improve poor post-acute pneumonia outlook, clinicians say
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 18, 2020
Fully 90% of nursing home residents hospitalized for pneumonia experience severe disability or death within two months of discharge. Careful post-acute planning is especially crucial for these patients...
Study confirms link between high blood pressure and dementia in seniors
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 17, 2020
High blood pressure is tied to lower global cognitive and memory test scores, a long-term study shows.
Most states choose long-term care to receive first COVID vaccinations, feds say
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 10, 2020
Although they are not obliged to do so, 36 states so far have told federal health officials that first doses should go to long-term care facilities, the COO of Operation Warp Speed said Wednesday.