COVID-19 nursing home deaths drop; booster skepticism a concern, industry experts say
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 05, 2022
Resident deaths have dropped from a January peak, hitting what appears to be the lowest level since the summer of 2021. But experts fear that a lack of urgency could leave some facilities unprepared for...
Bone health intervention cuts fracture risk in men treated for prostate cancer: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 05, 2022
Early intervention with bone mineral density screening may help prevent major fractures in older men treated with androgen deprivation therapy, investigators say.
Pandemic safety measures raised seniors’ risk for depression, anxiety, analysts say
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 05, 2022
Older adults who stayed at home and practiced social distancing during the pandemic were more likely to experience mental health problems, including twice the risk of depressive symptoms, a new study finds.
Contested insulin therapy remains common in nursing homes: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 01, 2022
Despite being discouraged in the elderly, a facilities study has found that sliding scale insulin therapy is used in 21% of newly admitted residents who receive the drug for type 2 diabetes and is continued...
Study pinpoints life expectancy in severe dementia
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 01, 2022
Investigators also found six factors tied to shorter life expectancy. This new data may help patients and caregivers to anticipate supportive needs, the researchers say.
Feds mull swift sanction of 2nd coronavirus booster
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 25, 2022
The Biden administration may authorize a second booster shot within weeks, a new report finds. Officials want to get ahead of an expected uptick in SARS-CoV-2 infections, sources say.
Program reduces missed workdays for COVID-exposed healthcare staff
Mar 24, 2022
Overall, 92% of workers successfully returned to work about 2 days early relative to a standard 10-day quarantine. This saved hundreds of work days over a six-month period, researchers reported.
Overtreated diabetes raises hypoglycemia risk in nursing homes, investigators say
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 24, 2022
Fully 40% of residents with type 2 diabetes in a large VA nursing home study continued to receive insulin and other medications that increase hypoglycemia risk, even after their blood tests suggested overtreatment.
Docs struggle with making MCI diagnoses, 2022 Alzheimer’s report finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 23, 2022
Less than half of primary care physicians surveyed report being comfortable diagnosing mild cognitive impairment that’s due to Alzheimer’s disease. Fully 90% told researchers that it is “hard...
Vaccines highly effective against severe omicron illness, CDC research assures
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 22, 2022
Two or three COVID-19 vaccine doses provided 90% protection against invasive mechanical ventilation or in-hospital death during both the delta and omicron periods, according to new CDC data.