Brain health Negatively Impacted by Lack of Green Space November 27, 2023According to a study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment, & Disease Monitoring, older adults who lack access to green spaces, even a small garden or tree, specifically in low-income neighborhoods, saw a significant negative impact on their brain health in comparison to adults in higher-income neighborhoods with ample green space. Researchers studied 1,260 people ...read more

Covid-19 VS Flu: Flu on the rise November 20, 2023In light of a meeting held by White House officials advocating for the protection of older adults in long-term care facilities from infections, a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discusses the rise of flu activity and the decline of COVID-19 hospitalizations over the past month. Although levels of flu were ...read more

Antibiotics and Anti-psychotics: The trigger of sudden cardiac arrest in adults with type 2 diabetes November 13, 2023Study finds that some commonly prescribed antibiotics and antipsychotics ingested by patients with type 2 diabetes can double their risk of sudden cardiac arrest. A study conducted by researchers at Amsterdam UMC in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has linked certain antibiotics and antipsychotics with an increased risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), in people with type two ...read more

Dementia risk associated with stopping metformin November 13, 2023Metformin, a drug linked to decreased dementia incidence, is often removed from a diabetes patient’s treatment plan due to kidney issues or other less severe adverse effects. However, a new study published in JAMA Network Opens reveals that stopping metformin is linked with increased dementia incidence, in accordance with previous research that displayed a link ...read more

Strength training: The answer to decreasing osteoarthritis risk and pain November 6, 2023A new research study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology found that lifting weights and doing strength training significantly decreased the risk and pain levels of osteoarthritis by about 20%, as opposed to others who never participated in this exercise. From 2004–2006, researchers observed 2,607 people in the Northeastern US, 44% of whom were men, with a ...read more

Chlorhexidine bathing routine prevents infection-related hospitalization October 30, 2023Using chlorhexidine on the skin and nose of patients has shown a significant decrease in infection rates and the presence of antibiotic-resistant organisms in nursing home facilities. It is no secret that people who live in nursing homes have a high risk for healthcare-associated infections because of their age, wounds, medical devices, and other health ailments. ...read more

Risk of Car Crashes Increased in Older Adults with ADHD October 23, 2023Older adults with ADHD are at greater risk for car crashes. A study published recently in JAMA Network Open highlights a staggering 74% risk of car crashes in older adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as opposed to their non-afflicted peers. Other factors of the disorder, such as inattention and impulsivity, also escalate their chances of hard-braking ...read more

Effects of RSV in People 75+ More Severe than Covid 19 October 16, 2023RSV Effects on the Elderly Study shows that older adults over the age of 75 hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) experience worse outcomes than if hospitalized with COVID-19 or the flu. The study, conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and later published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, analyzed ...read more

Revolutionary Blood Test Offers Early Detection Hope for Parkinson’s Patients September 25, 2023The Future of Parkinson’s Diagnosis A recent breakthrough in Parkinson’s disease research has yielded a promising blood test for early detection. Duke Health researchers have developed a groundbreaking assay that could revolutionize Parkinson’s diagnosis, as revealed in a study published in Science Translational Medicine. Laurie Sanders, Ph.D., an associate professor at Duke School of Medicine, emphasized the ...read more

Tralokinumab Breaks Ground in Atopic Dermatitis Care September 18, 2023Study Finds Hope For Those With Atopic Dermatitis “Tralokinumab proves safe and effective for older adults with atopic dermatitis, as per a recent trial,” reports Joseph F. Merola, MD, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, who led the study. The drug, already approved for adults with the condition, displayed remarkable results in a phase 3 ...read more

Study Finds An Increase of Overprescribed Antibiotics in Winter September 13, 2023A Closer Look at Winter Antibiotic Prescribing Practices “Antibiotics may be overprescribed during winter compared to summer, potentially impacting older adults in long-term care facilities,” reveals a University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine study. Published in Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology, the research scrutinized antibiotics prescribed for respiratory issues across 32 primary care practices in 2016-2017. ...read more

Drug Safety Concerns for Seniors: Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use on the Rise August 21, 2023Aging Population Faces Drug Safety Concerns An international study revealed that older adults receiving outpatient services face an increasing risk of using potentially inappropriate medications. Researchers noted that the prevalence of such medication use has surged over the past two decades, affecting the well-being of the aging population. The meta-analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, scrutinized 94 ...read more

Probiotics: A Potential Weapon Against Cognitive Decline in Aging August 14, 2023Study Reveals Probiotic’s Positive Impact on Cognitive Health in Older Patients According to a study presented at the American Society for Nutrition conference, probiotics may prevent cognitive decline associated with aging. The researchers believe targeting the gut microbiome could be a promising approach to combat cognitive decline in older adults. One particular probiotic that stood out in ...read more

Study Shows Loneliness in Long-Term Care Has an Effect on Health August 10, 2023Addressing Loneliness in Long-Term Care Facilities Social isolation and loneliness have significant implications for physical health. A recent report reviewing numerous studies found that social isolation increases the risk of early death by 26%, while loneliness raises it by 14%. Loneliness can also contribute to dementia, inflammation, vascular problems, and heart disease. The exact mechanisms of ...read more

New Study Reveals Light Exercise Lowers Hospital Admissions in Dialysis Patients July 31, 2023Dialysis Patients Benefit: Exercise Improves Health A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that light exercise can significantly reduce hospital admissions and improve physical fitness for individuals undergoing dialysis. The study, conducted by researchers at the Technical University of Munich, involved approximately 1,000 dialysis patients from 21 locations in Germany. Over a ...read more

Study Highlights Urgency for Enhancing Hip Fracture Prevention and Care Globally July 17, 2023Lack of Post-Fracture Treatment and Rising Incidence Threaten the Global Hip Fracture Epidemic According to a recent study, hip fracture prevalence is declining in various countries and regions worldwide. By 2050, the total number of hip fractures is estimated to nearly double compared to 2018. An international team of researchers analyzed hip fracture incidence, post-fracture treatment, and ...read more

Long-Term Care Facilities Anticipate Positive Impact as Medicare Considers Coverage for Alzheimer’s Drugs July 6, 2023Medicare Coverage for Alzheimer’s Drugs Brings Hope for Enhanced Care “Medicare will cover drugs that may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease if the FDA grants traditional approval,” announced Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. She emphasized the impact of Alzheimer’s on patients, loved ones, and caregivers, stating, “CMS has always been committed ...read more

Study Shows Social Interaction Crucial for Hip Fracture Recovery, Especially for Men June 26, 2023Social Support Plays Key Role in Successful Rehabilitation after Hip Fracture According to researchers, a patient’s social interaction after a hip fracture can significantly impact their recovery during post-acute rehabilitation. The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, emphasizes the importance of considering social factors when planning rehabilitation for hip fracture patients, particularly ...read more

Regular Exercise Lowers Risk of Flu and Pneumonia Deaths, Finds Groundbreaking Study June 5, 2023New Study Reveals: Physical Activity Cuts Flu and Pneumonia Mortality Risk in Half According to a recent study, regular exercise and muscle-strengthening activities can significantly reduce the risk of death from the flu or pneumonia. The study, which analyzed data from the National Health Interview Study spanning two decades, involved 577,909 adults in the United States. Over the ...read more

Long-Term Care Facilities Could be in Jeopardy May 22, 2023Impending Crisis: US Debt Limit Long-term care advocates and experts warn that the US is in danger of breaching its debt limit, which could have serious repercussions for the long-term care sector. The country hit its debt limit of $31.4 trillion on Jan. 19, and the US Treasury has been taking “extraordinary measures” to keep the ...read more