Early vaccination sped up decline in COVID infections, study in Genesis facilities finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 20, 2021
Nursing homes that administered shots early in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout experienced a lower rate of new infections compared to later-vaccinating sites. The results underscore the efficacy of the drugs...
Untracked COVID: Nursing home workers have died at twice the rate of hospital workers
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 09, 2021
Nursing home care providers have the sad distinction of accounting for a large proportion of healthcare workers’ COVID deaths, according to new 2020 data that was not tracked by the U.S. government....
Seniors are absent — but necessary — in COVID-19 vaccine trials, experts say
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 29, 2020
With older adults frequently excluded in COVID-19 clinical trials, investigators are concerned that they will ultimately be denied treatments and vaccines due to safety concerns.
Vitamin E shows promise in preventing muscle damage after heart attack
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 16, 2019
Vitamin E therapy given before and after lifesaving heart procedures may reduce inflammation and help preserve heart muscle.
With careful adoption, soy and wheat can help maintain seniors’ muscles, says expert
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2020
Plant protein can help older adults maintain muscle mass, but users must adjust for any loss of animal protein when making dietary changes, says a nutrition scientist.
Ping pong may be good physical therapy for people with Parkinson’s
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 25, 2020
Motor symptoms and functional abilities improved when seniors engaged in weekly ping pong sessions designed by experienced players.
Non-traumatic tooth loss linked to heart disease
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 06, 2019
Caregivers should be aware that adults who have lost teeth in non-traumatic ways may be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Need for liver transplants soaring among older Americans
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 19, 2021
The number of older Americans needing liver transplants has skyrocketed, with some of the increase due to rising cases of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a fatty liver disease that can cause liver...
Long-term care facility docs vs. aides: CDC study finds wide vaccination gulf
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 03, 2021
There is a 30% difference in COVID-19 vaccination coverage between LTC physicians and facility aides, CDC reports. And rates among aides are lowest in zip codes where vulnerability to poor health outcomes...
COVID vaccine protects elderly; delivery program has buy-in from nearly all U.S. nursing homes
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 19, 2020
Fully 99% of skilled nursing facilities nationwide have signed on with the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program vaccine delivery initiative, HHS says. The news arrived just as Pfizer...