Drug pricing reform deal may allow Medicare to negotiate with drug firms for first time
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 04, 2021
The Democrats’ deal also would limit insulin costs and cap annual out-of-pocket spending at $2,000 for seniors. Pharmacy benefit managers would face transparency requirements as well.
Elders get a cognitive boost after positive social interactions, mobile study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 15, 2021
In a smartphone-enabled study, adults aged 70 years and older had better cognitive performance the same day that they reported having more frequent, pleasant social interactions than usual — and on the...
CMS must refine data on antipsychotic drug use in nursing homes, OIG says
By
Alicia Lasek
May 07, 2021
The Minimum Data Set should not be CMS’ sole source for determining the number of nursing home residents using antipsychotic drugs, according to a new report from HHS’ Office of the Inspector General.
Cannabis-related issues sending more seniors to the ED, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 12, 2023
Cannabis-related ED visits for older adults shot up by a whopping 1,800% between 2005 to 2019 in California, investigators say. The state’s experience mirrors national trends.
Forgo ‘fleeting conversations’ when changing meds during care transitions, clinicians urged
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Aug 02, 2022
Partnering with patients and families in medication decisions helps avoid the safety and quality pitfalls of disengaged clinical care, researchers contend.
NIA funds $3.7M study of dementia and diabetes in U.S. Latinos
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 01, 2022
A new study will examine how diabetes affects brain changes over time in adults with Hispanic ancestry.
Damage often visible in seniors’ lungs 1 year after COVID-19 recovery
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 30, 2022
CT scan abnormalities decreased in follow-ups checks over a year’s time, but 63% of patients showed no improvement after six months.
Study: Falls rate nearly 50% for U.S. seniors with dementia; 3 factors raise risk
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 13, 2023
Nearly half of American seniors with dementia had one or more falls in the preceding year, according to a new analysis of 2016 data. Risk factors differed between seniors with and without dementia, investigators...
‘Not necessarily benign’: Geriatricians address safety as seniors turn to CBD for chronic conditions
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 29, 2021
Seniors increasingly are using cannabidiol, or CBD, to help manage a variety of chronic disease symptoms. A new paper from the Gerontological Society of America tackles key questions about safety and side...
New FDA initiative seeks to boost clinicians’ dietary supplements knowledge
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Jun 03, 2022
Educational supports for healthcare providers include a continuing education program on the benefits and risks of dietary supplements.