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.
FDA requires abuse warning on Xanax, Valium labels
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 25, 2020
Benzodiazepine drug labels must now display the FDA’s most serious “boxed warning” following growing reports of sedative abuse, the agency announced Thursday.
Cognitively healthy residents over-diagnosed with dementia at intake: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 24, 2020
Positive delirium screenings in new SNF residents often lead to inappropriate dementia diagnoses — even in those who are cognitively healthy, investigators contend.
Medical director shares wins, challenges of nursing home’s pandemic response
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 23, 2020
Once described as the epicenter of West Virginia’s COVID-19 outbreak, a 100-bed facility gained control of its infection and mortality rate. A new study details its most helpful strategies — and biggest...
‘Night owls’ with diabetes can improve health with earlier bedtimes, experts claim
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 23, 2020
People who go to bed late and get up late exercise 56% less than their early bird counterparts, a new study finds. A shift in sleep habits could change their health prognoses for the better, investigators...
Older people have greater functional ability than 3 decades ago, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 22, 2020
Today’s elders appear to have greater physical and cognitive function than they did in the 1990s. The consequences of this trend are a mixed bag, Finnish investigators say.
Delayed cognitive decline linked to daily use of two languages
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 21, 2020
People receive a later diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment when they actively speak two languages every day, investigators report.
Complex exercises reverse gait freezing in Parkinson’s disease study
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 18, 2020
A challenging physical exercise program helped reverse gait freezing by 60% in participants with Parkinson’s disease.
Dementia mortality skyrockets since lockdowns; CMS loosens visitor restrictions
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 18, 2020
An excessive number of deaths due to dementia have occurred since shelter-in-place orders went into effect this spring, a new analysis finds. Meanwhile, CMS has proposed a framework for nursing homes...
Clinical briefs for Friday, Sept. 18
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 18, 2020
Nursing home commission makes 27 recommendations, calls for ‘greater leadership role’ from CMS … Heparin nasal spray to be tested as COVID prevention … One in 10 older dental patients prescribed...