New research proves that almost 70 percent of severe pressure ulcers (bed sores, pressure sores, decubitus ulcers) can be prevented by nursing homes that adopt a “team approach” to prevention.  The research, which was sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and…

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, 40 percent of those 65 and older will need nursing home care in the years to come, and 10 percent of those patients will remain in nursing homes at least five years.  We’ll all need to confront decisions about…

A bill proposed just days ago by two United States senators would require nursing homes with severe care deficiencies to pay civil fines of up to $100,000 — a tenfold increase in the maximum fine that can be assessed.  The bill, entitled the “Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act of…

An assisted living facility that caters to Alzheimer’s patients was fined recently for failing to report the abuse of one of its aides to state social services.  The fine was the result of an investigation of multiple complaints against the aide.  The investigation started…

Staff at an assisted living facility told the family of a woman she died peacefully in her sleep.  The woman’s family became suspicious and learned she rolled off of her bed, and she died when her head became caught between her mattress and bedrails.  The…

The American Academy of Neurology recently released guidelines that urge regular fall screening for high-risk patients, in particular those with dementia, walking and balance disorders, Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy, weakness in the legs or feet, substantial vision loss, those who’ve had a stroke or fallen in the past year.  The guidelines recommend…