New behavior management guidelines support person-centered dementia care
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 18, 2020
Properly addressing the distress that underlies dementia-related behaviors is key to improving quality of life and preventing rapid decline in these patients, according to new guidance from leading dementia...
‘Snap out of it’: American seniors shy away from depression care despite concerns
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 17, 2020
Many seniors who reported that they may be depressed during the coronavirus pandemic say they will not seek treatment for their symptoms, a new poll has found.
Nursing home COVID cases rise four-fold in surge states, resident deaths double, data shows
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 10, 2020
The rising weekly case count includes residents and staff in 20 states. Meanwhile, about one in six nursing homes did not report testing staff members in the prior week.
Expect false positives: FDA letter to providers explains COVID antigen test results
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 05, 2020
The agency clarifies that rapid antigen tests, “like all diagnostic tests,” are subject to false positive results, especially in low prevalence settings. It offers recommendations for administering...
Most clinicians don’t follow hypertension diagnosis guidelines, survey finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 15, 2020
In a surprise to researchers, few professionals surveyed across 10 medical centers reported using out-of-office blood pressure monitoring to screen for and diagnose hypertension.
CDC: Many COVID-19 infections undetected in healthcare workers
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 02, 2020
A study of more than 3,200 providers has found a high proportion with evidence of a previous infection and no prior diagnosis and/or symptoms.
Coronavirus uptick in nursing homes linked to rising community rates: AHCA
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 12, 2020
After a June drop in infections, an “alarming” July spike among nursing home residents put rates nearly back where they were in May. The numbers are not surprising, industry observers say.
Despite PPE, healthcare workers face greater risk of positive COVID-19 test
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 04, 2020
Frontline providers with access to “adequate” personal protective equipment are three times more likely to test positive for the coronavirus than the general public. The rate rises to fivefold among...
New definition of “pain” considers the elderly
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 17, 2020
For the first time in 40 years, a global authority has revised its clinical definition of pain, recognizing those who can’t describe their experience verbally.
Q&A: ‘Mobile-first’ platform key to COVID-19-era hospice care delivery, says VITAS CMO
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 24, 2020
Joseph Shega, M.D., says a pivot to telehealth and mobile apps has provided care continuity for residents, while helping staff to keep a healthy distance and adhere to infection prevention protocol.