“Successful aging” is a term that is not well defined, but is constantly researched. The term immerged more than 20 years ago and constituted three primary domains: the avoidance of illness, physically and cognitively fit, and high engagement with life. Subsequent research placed strong emphasis on the absence or existence…
Among the 1.4 million older adults in the United States who receive long term care in nursing home facilities, the prevalence of functional limitations is high. According to an article recently published in the Journal of American Medical Directors Association, the number of people with functional limitations is predicted to…
Incontinence is a serious health problem that can affect both men and women at any stage of life. Although the likelihood of experiencing incontinence increases with age, incontinence is not a normal age-related health issue. Not only does incontinence pose critical psychological and social constraints, it also significantly diminishes an…
Research indicates that most falls experienced by older adults happen during the daytime and are often caused by slippery floors and irregular surfaces. An estimated 20% of falls occur during the night and are most commonly experienced by the elderly, with about 30% experiencing a fall incidence once every year. …
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its final rule for 2016 Medicare skilled nursing facility payment rates on August 4, 2015. The rule: Revises the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system’s payment rates for the 2016 fiscal year. CMS proposes that the total sum of payments…
How great the impact cancer has on exacerbating existing health problems or even creating new health problems in older adults is not well understood. It is estimated that by 2030, almost 1 in every 5 Americans will be over the age of 65. According to a recent report provided by…
As the older adult population continues to rise worldwide, an increasing number of people are being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. For many, mild cognitive impairment is the initial sign. Mild cognitive impairment occurs prior to dementia and significantly increases one’s vulnerability of developing Alzheimer’s in the future months or years.…
When considering the health and well-being of elderly people, oral health does not often come to mind as an important component. In literature regarding risk factors for diminished well-being among older adults, it is uncommon for oral health to be explicitly listed, although other health illnesses and disease conditions are…
Physical activity is beneficial in aging in more ways than most would think. Research has shown that exercise not only benefits overall biological health, but particularly enhances brain health and cognitive functioning. It is well known that those who perform physical activities on a regular basis reap numerous benefits. People…
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…