Palliative care study highlights importance of psychosocial support for LTC workers
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 30, 2023
Even the most confident of long-term care staff, sure of their knowledge and skills, reported “notable difficulties” providing palliative and end-of-life care during the COVID-19 pandemic, finds a...
MA plans enrollment linked to lower rates of high-risk medication fills
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 05, 2023
Fills for prescriptions of high-risk medications have consistently declined among Medicare Advantage beneficiaries compared with fills for traditional Medicare beneficiaries, according to a new study.
COVID-19 may be a new risk factor for chronic pain, national study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 30, 2023
Fully 26% of study participants with moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms reported frequent pain, researchers report.
Medicare Advantage retaining sicker patients with more complex health needs: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 29, 2023
After years of criticism for cherry-picking healthier people for enrollment, Medicare Advantage is now holding onto more patients with chronic conditions, investigators say.
Company reports early success with stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s
Jun 29, 2023
A stem cell replacement therapy has been found to be safe in patients living with Parkinson’s disease. Developers will now test whether the treatment can help to restore lost function.
Finding a purpose can lower risk of loneliness in older adults, study shows
By
C. Max Bachmann
Jun 29, 2023
Having a sense of purpose in life can offer “potent protection” against loneliness, which can be a health hazard for seniors, investigators say.
Acid reflux drugs are not linked to dementia in seniors, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 26, 2023
Contrary to prior findings, the use of proton pump inhibitors to prevent gastric reflux is not tied to new dementia diagnoses in seniors, investigators say.
CMS survey: Many beneficiaries with chronic pain delaying care
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 22, 2023
A large subset of senior Medicare beneficiaries with debilitating chronic pain have trouble accessing care, or are delaying care, according to CMS survey results released Wednesday.
Regular hearing aid use linked to 50 percent falls reduction
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 15, 2023
Older adults with hearing loss in both ears are half as likely to fall if they use hearing aids when compared to their peers who do not use the devices, a new study finds.
Clinical briefs for Thursday, June 15
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 15, 2023
Most senior health system execs say nursing shortage is critical, poll finds … ‘Human challenge’ study details how people with COVID-19 spread virus … Survey: Medicare Advantage plan leaders...