Functional limitations more than double over 20 years among U.S. cancer survivors
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 08, 2023
More lives are being saved from cancer, but the findings underscore the need for greater access to high quality survivorship care, investigators say.
Measuring patient function a big hitch in creating fair, post-acute pay
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 30, 2022
As a Congressional advisory board grapples with how to bring all post-acute providers under a single payment system, the use of self-reported data continues to raise doubts about the ability to accurately...
Surgically inserted catheters do not improve functional, cognitive outcomes, nursing home study shows
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Jun 14, 2022
The use of suprapubic catheters are not tied to improvements in outcomes important to residents’ well-being, investigators say.
Study pinpoints prescribing practices that may raise disability risk for LTC residents
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
May 19, 2022
Polypharmacy and the use of drugs with sedative or anticholinergic properties were tied to increased odds of functional disability and the need for LTC services.
Older cancer patients’ high pain rates may hinder functional independence: study
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
May 02, 2022
The prevalence of severe pain in these patients raises the risk for functional impairment and underscores the crucial role of screening for and treating it, investigators say.
Spacing PT sessions helps Parkinson’s patients maintain functional gains: study
Apr 29, 2022
Scheduling therapy sessions every two weeks over six months appears to support long-term functional stability in patients with Parkinson’s disease, researchers say.
High-intensity rehab improves function in nursing-home eligible PACE participants
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 14, 2022
Participants experienced long-lasting functional improvements shown to reduce the risk of falls and help maintain independence, investigators say.
Helping seniors hear better may slow declining physical function, new findings suggest
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 16, 2021
The study linked hearing impairment to faster functional decline — particularly in seniors’ balance skills. As a treatable condition, hearing loss may be a target for interventions, improving quality...
‘Pragmatic’ heart failure rehab benefits frail seniors, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
May 27, 2021
Physical dysfunction problems often are overlooked in the care of older, frail patients with acute heart failure. But these patients find greater functional and quality of life benefits from early, transitional,...
Physical, occupational therapy tied to better resident outcomes across all PALTC settings
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 07, 2021
Most patients in post-acute care settings reap functional benefits and see reduced rehospitalization from physical therapy and occupational therapy, finds a new study across 1.4 million Medicare beneficiaries.