A weekly dose of songs and laughs, combined with a daily regimen of jokes and silliness, is replacing psychotropic drugs and anti-depressants given to dementia patients in New South Wales, Australia. It is usually a cliché to say laughter is the best medicine. But Barry Cowling, Operations Manager of Summit Care nursing home in Randwick, said humor therapy had reduced aggression and depression among 18 residents in the secure dementia wing. ''We've had residents where we could reduce psychotropic drugs or have them come off, and we could see benefits to staff with improvements in morale and engagement,'' Cowling said….
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On the 48th anniversary of the signing of Medicare and Medicaid into law, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released data showing that the average premium for a basic prescription drug plan in 2014 is projected to remain stable, at an estimated $31 per month. This news comes as seniors and people with disabilities continue to save money on out-of-pocket drug costs. Yesterday, HHS announced that more than 6.6 million people with Medicare have saved over $7 billion on prescription drugs as a result of the Affordable Care Act, an average of $1,061 per beneficiary. The Affordable Care…
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Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are among the most significant issues facing the elderly and their loved ones. Because people with dementia often lose the ability to communicate over time, they are especially vulnerable and need special care. To help improve care and the public’s understanding of dementia care standards, the Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC) has developed a new brochure designed especially for families and individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This resource, Get the Facts about Antipsychotic Drugs and Dementia Care, developed with support from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will…
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Scientists have drawn up a shortlist of candidates which they believe are likely to slow the disease and reduce its symptoms. They now want to fast-track full clinical trials of the drugs which, because they are already approved to treat other conditions, could be available for those with Alzheimer’s in five to 10 years. Pharmaceutical companies are constantly testing new compounds for Alzheimer’s, which affects about 500,000 in Britain alone. However, recent results have proved a little disappointment, and drugs which attack the underlying cause of the disease remain something of a Holy Grail. Consequently, scientists have collaborated on a…
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Too many seniors are dismissing the early signs of dementia as “normal aging.” Diagnosing the disease early can potentially delay its progression, as well provide valuable time to help families cope and determine how to care for their loved one over time. Unfortunately, though, elders and families are waiting too long to ask their doctor about their symptoms, since the warning signs come and go. A survey of nearly 1,000 caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients revealed half of patients waited a year or longer after symptoms began showing before consulting a doctor. Nearly 16 percent waited more than two years. The…
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Dementia and Alzheimer’s can prove to be huge challenges for the healthcare institutions we trust to care for our affected loved ones. Unfortunately, these are challenges many institutions meet with the over-use, abuse or improper use of drugs. The good news is that this problematic trend is being identified and resolved for many families. As recently reported by the Associated Press, the turn to drugs for nursing home patients with dementia is nothing new. Dementia has a nasty tendency to disorient patients who may grow paranoid or lash out as a result. The safest way to protect them and others…
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The Medicare Part D donut hole affects many millions of seniors. Seniors with annual drug expenses exceeding $2,830 had to pay all of their drug costs up to $4,550, at which point catastrophic coverage went into effect. Unfortunately, some seniors in the donut hole did not take or cut up their medications. Consequently, this made their condition worse. Basically, if seniors don’t be sparing or withhold their prescribed drugs, their long-term health improves dramatically. However, the new healthcare law completely phases out the donut hole. Last year, the government sent $250 rebate checks to Medicare recipients in the gap. This…
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There are many new developments in the world of Medicare. And, with many seniors beginning their decision process, it is important to know some of these changes are good and some are bad. One of the new developments getting a good deal of attention is the new plan operated jointly by insurer Humana and retail giant Walmart. However, according to a recent AP article (Walmart Drug Plan for Seniors May Not Be Best Deal), the plan has equal measures of good and bad, too. The plan has the lowest monthly premium, almost half the average, at $14.80. Nevertheless, the important…
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