Elderly heart failure patients who need skilled nursing care after discharge from the hospital face a higher risk of poor outcomes and even death, according to the American Heart Association.Researchers from the University of Colorado-Denver School of Medicine analyzed data from 15,459 Medicare patients, with an average age of 80,...
Author Archives: anthony
Physicians Too Aggressive in Ordering Prostate Screenings Could Do More Harm Than Good
Many elderly men may be undergoing unnecessaryäóîand perhaps complicatingäóîprostate cancer screenings, according to a study on the use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening methods in the United States. Researchers reported that nearly half of men in their seventies underwent PSA screening in the past year, almost double the screening rate...
Threats of Nursing Home Lawsuits Do Not Improve Care
Nursing homes with high quality ratings are sued almost as often as lower performing nursing homes, according to a new study published by the New England Journal of Medicine. And researchers found litigation or its likelihood does not necessarily result in better care.æ Researchers analyzed information about nursing home lawsuits...
Caregivers Have Both Positive and Negative Views of Their Caregiving
One-half of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimeräó»s disease or dementia surveyed for a new caregiver study find an equal balance of positive and negative experiences in their caregiving.æ One-third (33 percent) say their caregiving experience is more positive than negative. That from the 2011 report, äóìWhat Made You Think Mom...
AARP Under Investigation
The House Ways and Means Committee has launched an investigation of AARP, particularly in the way it uses its lobbying power to advance its business that sells supplemental and Part D coverage to Medicare beneficiaries.æ A hearing on April 1 was preceded by a report BEHIND THE VEIL: The AARP...
Healthcare Doesn’t Hit Home Until It’s Personal
We have had some health issues with mom this year. At 89 we almost lost her but she is a trooper. It occurred to me that despite my 26 years in healthcare, I knew little really about the healthcare experience. So here are two blogs I guest wrote. The first...
Retirees Not Realistic in Planning for Possibility of Long-Term Care
Getty Images, Rosemary Calver In a recent survey from the Society of Actuaries respondents were asked about the changing nature of healthcare delivery and the ability to pay for long-term care. Though 93% said that pursuing a healthy lifestyle is their primary risk-management strategy, the report suggests that this is...
Dentures Could Transmit Harmful Microbes
Hannah Daniel writes for a blog backed by 1Dental.com, which offers affordable dental plans nationwide. Those who wear dentures could be putting more than artificial teeth in their mouth every day. Denture-wearers know that you must soak the mouthpiece in either water or a mild solution for at least 8...
End of Life Wishes Simplified with Patient / Physician Agreement
Courtesy Ohio State University Advance directives, which allow people to plan ahead for end-of-life care, can be too vague taccording to some experts. That is why a growing number of states are promoting a program to help guide physicians with a patient’s specific instructions. Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or...
Tai Chi Combined with Proper Meds Reduces Depression in Elderly
In a study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, reported treating 112 participants with major depression, aged 60 years and older, with the antidepressant Lexapro for four weeks. The 73 who responded to the drug continued to receive it for 10 more weeks and were randomly assigned to...