Physical therapists have a tool belt loaded with testing and instrumentation used to determine fall risk. Some are simple and take a few seconds, some are complex and extremely expensive. We have...
Opioid use, interpretation allegations snag two nursing home chains
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 27, 2023
Two nursing home chains have resolved allegations that they violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by denying admission to prospective residents with Substance Use Disorder, the US Attorney’s Office...
Study: Pain, depression decline when people with Alzheimer’s, dementia stop long-term opioids
By
Kristen Fischer
Oct 20, 2023
When people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias stop taking long-term opioid therapy (LTOT), they have a lower chance for short- and long-term worsening pain and depressive symptoms compared...
38 nursing homes agree to stop denying admissions to patients being treated for opioid use
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Sep 25, 2023
Three Pennsylvania nursing homes and four provider groups operating numerous facilities have agreed to comply with an order from the state attorney general to admit individuals managing opioid use disorder.
Clinical briefs for Thursday, Aug. 24
By
Kristen Fischer
Aug 24, 2023
Headband tests brain activity for Alzheimer’s during sleep … Dementia, death risk lower with catheter ablation … Opioids up fracture risk in older adults with ankylosing spondylitis … Recognizing...
More residents with opioid use disorder are coming. Are we ready?
By
Dina Besirevic
Aug 23, 2023
The 55-year-old female resident with multiple wounds on both of her arms wasn’t this nurse’s favorite. Yes, the nurse had provided wound care over the years to many people who were irritable...
Healthcare workers at high risk of drug overdose, study finds
By
Kristen Fischer
Aug 09, 2023
Healthcare workers including nurses and behavioral health workers have two times the risk for drug overdose compared to people who don’t work in the field, a new study shows.
SNRIs or NSAIDs with short-term opioids don’t seem to up delirium risk
By
Kristen Fischer
Aug 04, 2023
Adding serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) to short-acting opioids for nonmalignant pain in nursing home residents doesn’t seem to boost their risk for delirium compared with giving...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, August 1
By
Kristen Fischer
Aug 01, 2023
Vaccine for Alzheimer’s disease gets its start … Free online Parkinson’s course offers information for paid caregivers … Neurologists share tips for Alzheimer’s drugs … Eye experts offer safety...
Study: Taking opioids after dementia diagnosis raises mortality risk
By
Kristen Fischer
Jul 19, 2023
Older adults who take opioids after being diagnosed with dementia have a higher risk for dying — and that risk is 11 times higher during the first two weeks after starting the drugs. This is according...