A new study, scheduled to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting in April, found that Alzheimer's disease might not be as prevalent as currently believed.
Researchers reviewed the post-mortem brains of 211 study subjects who were diagnosed with Alzheimer's while alive. Only roughly half of the subjects had brain conditions that are commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease, such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Instead, they often had other brain abnormalities, including hippocampal sclerosis and generalized brain atrophy.
The study results have not yet undergone peer review. To learn more, click here.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Hollywood Nursing Home - and its Star Residents - to Stay Put
On the eve of the Oscars, a Hollywood nursing home and hospital is celebrating a win of its own.
The Motion Picture & Television Fund's hospital and skilled nursing home, which serves Hollywood film industry veterans, was scheduled to close in 2009 because of a $10 million budget shortfall. However, the facility has reached a tentative agreement with Providence Health & Services that would allow the facility to stay open.
Under the terms of the agreement, Providence would operate the facility and take on its financial responsibilities. They would also add services that would be open to the more of the general public.
The center also features a dementia unit, Harry's Haven, that was named after Kirk Douglas's father.
To learn more, click here.
The Motion Picture & Television Fund's hospital and skilled nursing home, which serves Hollywood film industry veterans, was scheduled to close in 2009 because of a $10 million budget shortfall. However, the facility has reached a tentative agreement with Providence Health & Services that would allow the facility to stay open.
Under the terms of the agreement, Providence would operate the facility and take on its financial responsibilities. They would also add services that would be open to the more of the general public.
The center also features a dementia unit, Harry's Haven, that was named after Kirk Douglas's father.
To learn more, click here.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Study: Almost 60 Percent of Paid Home Caregivers Make Medication Errors
A new study - the first of its kind - out of Northwestern University found that nearly 60 percent of paid home caregivers make medication errors involving their clients.
The study, which will be published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, evaluated caregivers' literacy with health-related tasks and knowledge. In addition to the medication error concern, the researchers found that one-third of the caregivers had trouble reading and understanding health-related information and instructions.
To learn more, click here.
The study, which will be published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, evaluated caregivers' literacy with health-related tasks and knowledge. In addition to the medication error concern, the researchers found that one-third of the caregivers had trouble reading and understanding health-related information and instructions.
To learn more, click here.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Kentucky Providers Use Wristbands to Avoid DNR Confusion
Following a string of deaths related to confusion over DNR orders, the Kentucky Office of the Inspector General and the Kentucky Hospital Association are suggesting that facilities use purple wristbands to indicate residents with DNRs and reduce mistakes.
The use of the purple bands, which are clearly labeled "DNR," is not required, but encouraged.
To learn more, click here.
The use of the purple bands, which are clearly labeled "DNR," is not required, but encouraged.
To learn more, click here.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
CMS Revises Rule on LTC Facility Closures
A new interim CMS rule will require LTC facility administrators to provide residents to receive written notification of a facility closure 60 days in advance. Currently, administrators are only required to notify residents 30 days in advance.
If they don't comply, administrators could face a fine of up to $100,000. They could also be subject to further penalties and be denied participation in federal healthcare programs.
The rule is slated to go into effect on March 23.
To learn more, click here.
If they don't comply, administrators could face a fine of up to $100,000. They could also be subject to further penalties and be denied participation in federal healthcare programs.
The rule is slated to go into effect on March 23.
To learn more, click here.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Need an AD/Alzheimer's Unit Director Certification?
One of Embrace authors, Lee Moriarty, will be presenting a 36-hour certification course for Activity Directors and Alzheimer's Unit Directors. The course will be offered on Thursdays on March 31, April 7 and April 14 or Tuesdays on April 5, April 12 and April 19. The Thursday courses will be held in Oak Brook, Illinois, and the Tuesday courses will be held in New Lenox, Illinois.
To learn more and register, click here.
To learn more and register, click here.
Friday, February 18, 2011
A New Reason to Stay Socially and Physically Active
Looking for something to motivate you to get out and spend time with others this weekend? Here's one - a new study from Rush University in Chicago found that older adults who stay as physically and socially active as possible are less likely to become disabled in their elderly years.
The study's researchers found that seniors with a high level of activity were twice as likely to stay independent and disability-free for longer periods of time.
To learn more, click here.
The study's researchers found that seniors with a high level of activity were twice as likely to stay independent and disability-free for longer periods of time.
To learn more, click here.
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