Pressure ulcers remain a huge problem in United States nursing home facilities despite the existence of prevention guidelines. Nursing home residents who stay for long durations of time and are vulnerable to less mobility are at particularly high risk of developing pressure ulcers. Substantial literature indicates that pressure ulcer prevention…
Fruit lovers rejoice! New studies have found that eating fresh fruits every day can decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases. We all know that eating fruit is healthy, but not everyone knows how beneficial eating fruit is for the heart. Strong evidence shows that fruit has the power to decrease…
Diabetes Mellitus is derived from the Greek word diabanein, which literally means “passing through” or “siphon”. This term refers to one of the main symptoms of Diabetes—excessive urination. Diabetes is also known as hyperglycemia, which is the state of too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. Hyperglycemia occurs when the body…
According to the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics consensus conference paper, a patient is entitled to early detection of cognitive impairment. The paper also encourages the implementation of medical and lifestyle interventions as an effective way to delay or improve cognitive decline. Screening promotes prevention or treatment. Physical activity…
Pain is prevalent among nursing home residents and can take a major toll on mood, sleep, and overall function. Despite the severity of the consequences, pain is not often managed adequately for this vulnerable group. There are many limitations to pain assessment and treatment in nursing homes. Long-term care staff…
Aging has been defined as the multifaceted process of the collection of biological damages in the molecules, cells, and organs of the body. These damages are thought to cause decrease in function and increase in susceptibility to disease and death. Despite how complex aging is, recent studies have shown that…
Hip fractures are highly prevalent among the elderly population in the United States. An estimated 1.6 million older adults (those over 50 years of age) experience a hip fracture every year. This type of injury causes severe debilitation and significantly hinders an individual’s ability to carry out activities of daily…
The age-related loss in muscle mass, known as sarcopenia, can lead to significant debilitation in older adults. Biological factors that contribute to this loss in muscle mass as a person grows older include hormones, protein levels, motor units, muscle fiber types, and satellite cells. Testosterone is a primary hormone that…
Although there is no universally accepted method of classification, sarcopenia generally refers to the loss of muscle with age. One approach to measure sarcopenia uses the skeletal muscle index. Ways of measuring muscle mass include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and bio-electrical impedance (BIA). Sarcopenia isn’t the…
Problems with sleeping are prevalent among older adult patients in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and are a major cause of diminished quality of life. More than half of long-term care residents rely on prescription for at least one antihypnotic. Facility staff must help their residents improve or maintain…