Trio is trouble in assisted living: Risky neuro drug combos too common, dementia expert says
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 11, 2021
Fully one in seven people with dementia who do not live in nursing homes are taking at least three drugs that act on the central nervous system — beyond the advised limit, a new study finds.
Older adults often assume new prescriptions have no side effects
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 25, 2021
Clinicians may want to intentionally emphasize side effects when prescribing new medications to older patients, a new study suggests.
No severe reactions to COVID-19 vaccine so far in long-term care: early reports
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 04, 2021
The initial onsite clinic experience was positive overall, despite some expected side effects, says industry advocate LeadingAge, whose affiliates represent 43 states.
AMDA’s new COVID vaccine PowerPoint can help answer resident, staff concerns
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 09, 2020
A toolkit created by industry clinicians aims to help long-term care operators address questions about getting vaccinated. A PowerPoint presentation is available to share with staff and residents.
Proton pump inhibitors may heighten type 2 diabetes risk
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 30, 2020
Regular PPI users are 24% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-users. What’s more, the longer participants use these drugs, the greater their risk, investigators have found.
Study to examine severe side effects tied to Alzheimer’s drug combo
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 08, 2020
Millions of Medicare records will be used to analyze how two drug classes commonly used to treat Alzheimer’s may lead to a ‘prescription cascade’ when taken together.
Muscle relaxant prescriptions have tripled for older adults, investigators find
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 30, 2020
Clinicians may be prescribing the drugs as an opioid alternative for chronic pain management, propose the researchers. Opioids are often prescribed simultaneously, they found.
Meds used to manage Parkinson’s impulsivity may be ineffective, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 13, 2020
Certain medications used to treat impulsivity linked to Parkinson’s drugs Mirapex and Requip may be ineffective, a preliminary study has found.
Ask the care expert … about documenting falls
By
Sherrie Dornberger
Nov 01, 2014
If a nurse’s aide is in a room when a resident begins to fall, and lowers her to the ground, we are NOT counting those on our count for falls. Are we correct?