Vitamin B6 plays a critical role in amino acid metabolism. While 19-27% of the United States population have low B6 plasma levels, approximately 30 million Americans are affected by B6 deficiency. Lower plasma levels or B6 insufficiency have been...
Individuals prefer to age in place within their homes, which increasingly include assisted living (AL) communities. These communities have different requirements for admission and discharge, which relate in part to state regulations. To identify...
Upon hospital discharge, medically complex patients are frequently referred for skilled nursing facility (SNF) care or skilled home health care (HHC). Both settings provide restorative and supportive services; however, the intensity of services,...
The impact of early COVID-19 pandemic on residents in long-term care facilities (LTCF) was tremendous. Through 2020, the COVID-19 death rate was as high as 20% in patients over 85 years and over one third of all COVID-19 related deaths occurred in...
Pneumonia and urinary tract infections (UTI) are 2 of the most common diagnoses of residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF), accounting for over 40% of antibiotic use. However, studies have repeatedly shown much of the antibiotic prescribing to...
Many people who are admitted to a hospital for acute reasons are transferred to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) for continuity of care. Meanwhile, 25% of these patients face readmission to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. This has led to...
Nearly half of all long-term care (LTC) residents in Canada are transferred to the emergency department (ED) annually, increasing the strain on healthcare resources and potentially negatively impacting the health and wellness of residents (e.g.,...
The Beers criteria are the most widely cited resource used to identify potentially inappropriate medication prescribing in older adults. This is of interest as Beers list medications may contribute to higher rates of delirium when used in...
Frailty is a common problem in the post-acute and long-term care setting. Frail patients are known to have an increased risk for poor health outcomes, including falls and hospital readmission. However, measurement and treatment of frailty in this...
Engagement in activities is important for maintaining physical function and has been associated with improved quality of life among residents in assisted living. Numerous factors can influence residents’ satisfaction with activities including...
