Gerontology

Blood pressure management guideline released

JAMA has published “2014 Evidence-Based Guideline for the Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: Report From the Panel Members Appointed to the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC…

Call for abstracts for home care conference

The second annual International Home Care Nurses Organization Conference, Sept. 23-26 in Singapore, has released a call for abstracts. Deadline is April 1. Read more.

Changes on MRI predict Alzheimer disease

Cortical thinning on MRI predicts Alzheimer disease dementia within 10 years in cognitively normal adults according to a study in Neurology. Read more at http://www.neurology.org/content/76/16/1395.abstract.

Closing in on the cause of agitation

When an elderly patient becomes confused and agitated, a careful history of recent procedures and medications points clinicians in the right direction.

Derailing potentially deadly dehydration

When a dehydrated patient falls into a stupor and her vital signs head south, a rapid response team can help unit nurses stabilize her quickly – and avoid…

Dispelling pain myths

Read up on the latest evidence-based best practices in pain management.

Drug approval for breast cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Tykerb (lapatinib) in combination with Femara (letrozole) to treat hormone positive and HER2-positive advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women for…

Drugs Today – November 2008

Web Exclusive! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals at www.AmericanNurseToday.com/journal.

Easing the anguish of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease afflicts not just the person who has it but everyone in that person’s orbit. Learn how to help family members caring for patients with this nursing…

Exercise reduces silent brain infarctions

Moderate to heavy physical activity is associated with a lower risk of silent brain infarctions in older adults according to a study published online by Neurology. Read more.

FDA approves Boostrix for older people

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Boostrix vaccine to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in people 65 years and older. Read more.

FDA approves expanded use of Prevnar vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Prevnar 13, a pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine, in people 50 years and older. Read More.

FDA approves new drug for osteoporosis

On June 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Prolia (denosumab), an injectable treatment for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who are at high risk of fractures.…

FDA approves new implantable hearing device

On March 20, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first implantable device for people 18 and older with severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss of…

Frailty syndrome: A weakly addressed problem

Fran Covington, age 82, has a history of cardiovascular disease, chronic diastolic heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She lives at home with her husband and enjoys gardening and visiting with…

Healing the wounds: Quantum nursing V

Quantum nursing demands that nurses honor each person’s humanity, promote independence and autonomy, and offer the opportunity for individuals to redefine for themselves who they are and how…

Keys, please

Discusses the problem of when it’s unsafe for an older person to drive.

Letters to the Editor – October 2008

Novice nurses: Leading the way against nurse abuse  In the informative and timely article “No more nurse abuse” (July), John Murray points out that novice nurses are more…

Longevity genes interconnected

An international group of scientists performed a comprehensive analysis and found that most genes that increase lifespan when overexpressed or mutated, as well as genetic and epigenetic mechanisms…

Managing dysphagia in elderly patients

Multiple factors make the elderly susceptible to dysphagia. The author reviews multidisciplinary management approaches and offers a checklist of simple nursing actions to promote assessment and management.

Managing knee osteoarthritis in older adults

A degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA) is marked by cartilage erosion, osteophyte formation, joint hypertrophy, and subchondral sclerosis. A leading cause of disability in older adults, it affects…

New guidelines for dementia and driving

Researchers have developed a new clinical pathway that provides guidance for healthcare providers to help dementia patients who drive. The pathway was presented at the Annual Conference of…

New High-Dose Influenza Vaccine for Seniors

A news release from Sanofi Pasteur includes information on the first shipment of a new high-dose influenza vaccine for adults ages 65 years of age and older can…

New resource for pain management in the elderly

Visit a new one-stop resource for managing pain in the elderly at www.geriatricpain.org. Sections of the site include pain assessment, pain management, education, quality improvement, resources, and FAQs.…

New survey on family caregivers released

The AARP Public Policy Institute and the United Hospital Fund have released the report “Home Alone: Family Caregivers Providing Complex Chronic Care,” a survey of 1,677 family caregivers.…

Osteoporosis-not just for women

Most elderly men don’t know they are at risk for osteoporosis-and they probably won’t find out until a nurse tells them.

Paget’s disease: A therapy update

Pain, arthritis, fractures, and skeletal deformities are calling cards of Paget’s disease. A new one-dose drug therapy can produce extended remission.
Preventing polypharmacy in older adults

Preventing polypharmacy in older adults

Polypharmacy refers to the effects of taking multiple medications concurrently to manage coexisting health problems, such as diabetes and hypertension. Too often, polypharmacy becomes problematic, such as when…

Promoting nonhazardous alcohol use by older adults

Roughly half of adults ages 65 and older drink alcohol. Although experts continue to debate the possible health benefits of alcohol when consumed in minimal daily amounts, alcohol’s…

Setting your sights on aging eyes

Half of Americans older than 65 have some degree of age-related cataract formation, making cataracts the leading cause of vision impairment in the United States. As a nurse,…

Six more hot drugs for today and beyond

These six drug profiles, along with the six in the March issue of American Nurse Today, bring you up to date on significant advances in drug therapy.

Stopping the silent progression of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and low bone mass affect about 44 million Americans. Women account for 80% of that number. And each year, more than 1.5 million Americans suffer osteoporotic fractures.

Study: Handshake can indicate speed of aging

Handgrip strength corresponds to other markers of aging such as people’s future mortality, disability, cognitive decline and ability to recover from hospital, according to a study in PLOS…
estrogen women woman note

Take Note – August 2007

Good news for younger women taking estrogen     Estrogen therapy may have cardioprotective effects for women who start taking it in their 50s. A study from the Women’s Health…

Take Note – June 2007

A monthly round up of clinical, practice, and career news, updates, and alerts.
breast feeding breastfeeding baby

Take Note – November 2006

American Diabetes Association releases food guidelines for specific medical categories “When you’re talking about diabetes, there is no ‘one size fits all’ diet,” said Ann Albright, PhD, RD,…

The aging face of HIV/AIDS

People older than age 50 account for at least 10% of HIV/AIDS cases in this country. Yet myths about older adults' behavior can blind us to the possibility…

When to refer patients for hospice care

What happens to patients once they reach the maximum benefit of traditional curative treatment? For many, hospice should be considered. A point on the healthcare continuum, hospice offers…

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