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Elderly Patients

All articles tagged with #elderly patients

health1 year ago

Experts Warn: Common Medications Linked to Higher Dementia Risk

A study by the University of Nottingham warns that long-term use of certain anticholinergic drugs, commonly prescribed for conditions like bladder issues and Parkinson's disease, may increase the risk of dementia by nearly 50% in patients over 55. The research, supported by the National Institute for Health Research, highlights the need for caution in prescribing these medications, particularly to middle-aged and elderly individuals. While the study emphasizes the potential risks, it also advises against abruptly stopping these drugs without consulting a healthcare provider.

via Express|
#anticholinergic-drugs#dementia#elderly-patients
health2 years ago

The Alarming Effects of Anaesthesia on Personalities: A Warning from Families and Doctors

Families and doctors are warning about the risks of post-operative delirium, a common complication of surgery for older patients that can also affect younger individuals. Post-operative delirium can cause confusion, restlessness, hallucinations, and cognitive decline, and it is associated with increased rates of long-term care and mortality. Factors such as age, type of surgery, and the care environment can contribute to the development of delirium. Simple measures, such as reorientation and creating a familiar environment, have been shown to reduce the risk of delirium. However, these measures are not consistently followed in hospitals. Experts emphasize the need for greater attention to delirium prevention and improved care practices to mitigate the impact of this condition on patients' well-being.

via Daily Mail|
#care#cognitive-decline#elderly-patients
healthcare2 years ago

Lawsuit Exposes UnitedHealth's AI Denying Care to Elderly Patients

Two families have filed a lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group, alleging that the insurance company used artificial intelligence (AI) to deny or shorten rehabilitation stays for two elderly men, resulting in harm. The families argue that the AI program made "rigid and unrealistic" determinations about patients' recovery needs, overriding doctors' recommendations. They claim that the AI program had a high error rate, and the majority of patient claim denials were overturned through appeals. The lawsuit seeks class-action status and accuses UnitedHealth of prioritizing profits over patient care. Similar lawsuits have been filed against other companies using AI in healthcare.

via USA TODAY|
#artificial-intelligence#elderly-patients#health-insurance
healthcare2 years ago

Healthcare Providers Severing Ties with Medicare Advantage, Leaving Seniors at Risk

Scripps Health is ending its participation in the Medicare Advantage program, leaving thousands of seniors in San Diego County without coverage for their current primary care doctors. This move will have a significant financial impact on patients who have been using Scripps Health services for years. The decision is due to financial pressures faced by Scripps and other health systems. Patients have the option to switch to a Medicare supplement plan or choose different healthcare coverage, but these options come with additional costs that many seniors on fixed incomes cannot afford.

via FOX 5 San Diego|
#elderly-patients#healthcare#healthcare-coverage
health2 years ago

Optimal Revascularization Approach for Elderly MI Patients: Complete is Key

The FIRE trial presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2023 showed that complete revascularization, as opposed to treating only the culprit lesion, reduced the risk of cardiovascular events, including death and myocardial infarction, in elderly patients aged 75 and older presenting with either STEMI or NSTEMI. The trial demonstrated that complete revascularization guided by functional testing was safe and beneficial in this population, challenging the current practice of treating only the culprit lesion. The results highlight the need to consider complete revascularization in older patients with multivessel disease and may lead to a shift in clinical practice towards a more comprehensive approach.

via TCTMD|
#cardiovascular-events#clinical-practice#complete-revascularization
health2 years ago

Age Plays a Key Role in Statin Effectiveness for Lowering Cholesterol

A new study suggests that elderly adults who start on a statin may experience a greater reduction in their "bad" cholesterol levels compared to younger patients. The study, which analyzed nearly 84,000 Danish patients, found that those aged 75 and older showed a stronger response to low- to moderate-dose statins. The findings suggest that older patients could begin with a lower statin dose to minimize the chances of side effects. However, individual factors such as existing health conditions and the need for reducing the risk of future heart attacks or strokes should also be considered. The study did not examine the impact of lower statin doses on the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in older patients.

via UPI News|
#cardiovascular-disease#cholesterol#elderly-patients
health2 years ago

Exploring the Safety of Stopping MS Treatment in Elderly Patients

A new study led by the P-HOPER Center at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy aims to determine whether older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) can safely stop taking disease-modifying therapies. The study, funded by a $1.6 million grant, will analyze deprescribing outcomes in elderly MS patients and evaluate the safety and effectiveness of discontinuing disease-modifying agents (DMAs) in this population. The researchers will compare outcomes for patients who continue on DMAs versus those who are deprescribed these medications, with the goal of optimizing prescribing practices and improving health outcomes and quality of life for older MS patients.

via Multiple Sclerosis News Today|
#deprescribing#disease-modifying-therapies#elderly-patients
health2 years ago

Opioid Use Increases Death Risk for Dementia Patients, Study Reveals

Dementia patients who take opioids, particularly in the first two weeks after starting the medication, face a significantly higher risk of death, according to a new study presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference. The research found that a third of Alzheimer's patients in Denmark who took opioids died within 180 days of starting the medication, with the risk being five times higher than those who did not take opioids. The risk was even higher for those using fentanyl patches, with nearly two-thirds of patients dying within 180 days. Experts caution against prescribing opioids to dementia patients and emphasize the need for careful evaluation of risk and benefits, as well as safe pain management alternatives.

via Fox News|
#death-risk#dementia#elderly-patients
crime2 years ago

Pennsylvania Nurse Accused of Fatal Insulin Injections.

A nurse in Pennsylvania has been arrested and charged with homicide, attempted murder, aggravated assault, neglect, and reckless endangerment for allegedly administering lethal doses of insulin to two patients and giving an unhealthy amount to a third patient. Two of the patients died, and the third survived after emergency hospitalization. The nurse was employed at a skilled nursing facility and allegedly had a pattern of abusive behavior towards patients and staff at other facilities.

via NBC News|
#crime#elderly-patients#homicide
crime2 years ago

Pennsylvania Nurse Accused of Fatal Insulin Overdoses and Feeling Bad for Patients' Quality of Life

Nurse Heather Pressdee is accused of killing two elderly patients and injuring another by giving them lethal doses of insulin, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry. Pressdee allegedly admitted to injecting two of the victims with insulin, saying she felt bad for their quality of life and hoped they would slip into a coma and pass away. One witness reported that Pressdee said one of the victims would be "better off dead." Pressdee is facing charges of homicide, attempted murder, aggravated assault, neglect of a care-dependent person, and reckless endangerment. She worked at Quality Life Services, a retirement nursing facility, in Chicora.

via New York Post |
#crime#elderly-patients#homicide
crime2 years ago

Nurse charged with killing patients due to "quality of life" concerns.

A nurse in Pennsylvania has been charged with homicide, attempted murder, aggravated assault, neglect of a care-dependent person, and reckless endangerment for allegedly killing two patients and injuring another. Heather Pressdee, who worked at a retirement nursing facility, is accused of giving lethal doses of insulin to the victims, two of whom did not have diabetes. Pressdee reportedly admitted to injecting two of the victims with insulin, saying she "felt bad for their quality of life" and hoped they would "just slip into a coma and pass away." The nursing facility has expressed shock and devastation and assured patients and their families that they are safe and receiving appropriate care.

via Fox News|
#crime#elderly-patients#homicide
tragedy2 years ago

29 killed in Beijing hospital fire, 12 detained by police.

A fire at a Beijing hospital killed 29 people, including elderly patients, a nurse, a medical worker, and a patient's relative. Videos showed people using bedsheets to escape through windows. The fire was caused by a spark from renovations igniting flammable paint stored at the hospital. The hospital's president and construction workers were among 12 people arrested on suspicion of "serious liability incidents." The hospital had claimed to have implemented safety measures in February.

via The Washington Post|
#arrests#beijing#elderly-patients
tragedy2 years ago

Beijing Hospital Fire Claims 29 Lives, Officials Apologize and Arrests Made.

A deadly fire at a hospital in Beijing has killed 29 people, most of whom were elderly or palliative care patients with limited mobility. Patients and doctors had to climb out of windows to escape the blaze. Twelve people, including the hospital director and construction company chief, have been detained in connection with the incident. The fire is being investigated and safety measures are being reviewed.

via South China Morning Post|
#beijing#elderly-patients#hospital-fire
cardiology2 years ago

Painkillers and Diabetes: Heart Failure Risk and Treatment Options.

Short-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was associated with an increased risk for heart failure hospitalization among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a Danish registry study. The most at-risk subgroups were patients ages 80 and older, those poorly managed as evidenced by elevated HbA1c levels and no or only one antidiabetic drug, and new NSAID users without previous prescriptions. Several position statements already caution against both short-term and long-term use of NSAIDs in patients at high cardiovascular risk.

via Medpage Today|
#cardiology#cardiovascular-risk#elderly-patients