Initial symptoms of dementia predict speed of progression, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2023
No matter the type of underlying brain changes, the first cognitive symptoms of dementia help predict long-term functional outcomes, researchers report.
CDC safety panel: J&J vaccine benefits outweigh rare neuro risks seen in older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 26, 2021
The benefits of the shot — including reduced hospitalization, intensive care unit admission and death — outweigh the risk of contracting Guillain-Barre syndrome, the Advisory Committee on Immunization...
New COVID-19 test kits promised as LTC operators contend with shortages, slow PCR results
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 03, 2022
Five million Celltion brand rapid tests will be shipped over a five-week period to facilities as they contend with testing supply shortages and slow lab turnaround times.
COVID-19 vaccinations are essentially at a standstill in U.S. nursing homes and assisted living communities due to federal officials’ call today for a pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
U.S. lawmakers ramp up scrutiny of FDA following agency’s approval of controversial Alzheimer’s drug
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 07, 2021
The FDA is being asked to help explain how Aduhelm (aducanumab) met accelerated approval criteria when so many experts — including internal advisers — have flagged insufficient safety and efficacy...
Thanksgiving comfort: Phone calls, emails work best to reduce residents’ loneliness, boost spirits
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 24, 2020
According to the Yale School of Public Health, regular phone calls or emails may provide the most solace for people living in long-term care facilities. This includes remote calls, and phone calls while...
Symptomless COVID infections found in almost half of US adults, CDC says
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 05, 2022
Approximately 44% of US adults were “possibly asymptomatically infected,” between August 2021 and May 2022, blood serum evidence shows.
Unforeseen consequences pile up in race to find COVID-19 treatments
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 25, 2020
The national attention gained by an experimental drug and two existing medications has led to unintended trouble for patients.
Merck to seek emergency use for COVID-19 antiviral pill that cuts severe outcomes by 50 percent
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 04, 2021
Molnupiravir has reduced COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations by half in a new clinical trial. An orally delivered drug could offer unprecedented treatment convenience, the drug’s developers say.
Paxlovid cuts COVID hospitalization, which may leave older adults weakened
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 02, 2022
The CDC reports that COVID patients treated with the antiviral Paxlovid have a 51% lower risk of hospitalization, while another study has tied acute-care stays to muscle loss and long COVID.