Early dementia risk disclosure encourages help from family members
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 16, 2021
Family members of older adults value early dementia risk information provided by clinicians, a new study finds. When interviewed about their post-disclosure reactions, some said the knowledge prompted...
Dementia diagnostics more accurate when patients recall Cinderella story
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 15, 2021
Narrating an overlearned story, such as the Cinderella fairy tale, gave the most accurate results, identifying Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive impairment with 78% accuracy, investigators say.
Require COVID-19 vaccination of all healthcare workers, seven clinical groups say
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 14, 2021
Their evidence-based verdict: healthcare institutions and facilities — including long-term care facilities — should require that their personnel be vaccinated as a condition of employment.
CMS to weigh national Medicare coverage for Aduhelm, other Alzheimer’s drugs
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 14, 2021
The agency is considering whether to establish a national coverage policy for monoclonal antibody drugs that treat Alzheimer’s disease, including the newly approved drug aducanumab (Aduhelm).
Seniors’ sense of smell weakens, but not their enjoyment of food, researchers find
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 13, 2021
The sense of smell declines with age, but this loss doesn’t happen across the board, a new study shows. The findings may help care providers improve the meals and dining experiences of older adults in...
Elder frailty a key predictor of survival following ICU admission, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2021
Severity of baseline frailty is a strong predictor of one-year survival in older adults facing critical illness. It also is key to informing treatment plans and goals of care for these individuals, researchers...
Survey of physicians supports recognition of PALTC medicine as a specialty practice
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2021
The results highlight the “unique and specific nature of medical care provided by attending physicians across a range of PALTC settings,” concluded a task force of industry experts.
Clinical briefs for Thursday, July 8
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2021
New CMS Medicare chief was health system exec, former HHS health reform director … More falls may occur in SNFs after admitting residents with existing cognitive decline: study … New health benefits...
Calculator predicts elders’ need for palliative care
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 07, 2021
A new online tool can help frail older adults and their clinicians estimate six-month life expectancy and better plan for end-of-life care, according to real-world studies from Canada.
CDC: Portable air cleaners cut exposure to COVID-19 virus by 65 percent
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 06, 2021
In a simulated meeting with infected and uninfected participants, properly placed portable air cleaners with HEPA air filters slashed virus transmission. Adding masks was even more effective — cutting...