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Pharmacists well-positioned to support individuals living with dementia
Sheilamary Koch PharmaceuticalEach year 7.7 million new cases of dementia are diagnosed worldwide. In the United States alone, age-related dementia affects at least 5 million people — a number expected to rise in upcoming years as life expectancy increases and more baby boomers age. The high percentage of the population affected — around 1 in every 6 people aged 80 years and older — makes dementia something that medical professionals across all sectors will undoubtedly encounter. Healthcare professionals and pharmacists who are person-centered in their approach will be able to provide much more effective care for this growing population.
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Study refutes effectiveness of drug combination for treatment-resistant…
Dorothy L. Tengler Mental HealthcareMany treatment options are available for depression, but how well treatment works depends on the type of depression and its severity. Antidepressants take time — usually 2 to 4 weeks — to work, and often, symptoms such as sleep, appetite, and concentration problems improve before mood lifts. However, despite advances in understanding the psychopharmacology and biomarkers of major depression and the introduction of several novel classes of antidepressants, only 60 to 70 percent of patients with depression respond to antidepressant therapy.
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Unlocking opportunities for ‘intergenerational living’ in our…
Lucy Wallwork Construction & Building MaterialsAt a recent Housing Festival held in my hometown of Bristol, England, it was not the glossy new building technologies on show that stuck in my mind the most. Instead, it was a presentation by U.S.-based architect Jonathan Davis. Presenting a photo of the allotment in his own Grow Community on Bainbridge Island in Seattle, he described his elderly yoga-loving neighbor as a "wise soul," but so, too, his young daughter digging around in the vegetable patch. He didn’t see any reason these two "wise souls" should not be brought together more often.
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Strength training comes out on top over cardio for heart health
Tammy Hinojos Sports & FitnessIt has long been accepted and taught that regular cardiovascular workouts are good for cardiovascular health. And they are. But a new study asserts that regular strength training is even better for your heart than more aerobic activities like walking and cycling. A survey of 4,000 adults revealed that static activity, such as strength training, had stronger links to reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases than dynamic activity, such as walking and cycling. But before you tell your patients to hang up their walking shoes and park their bikes in favor of free weights and dumbbells, keep reading.
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Healthcare’s crucial human capital
Keith Carlson Medical & Allied HealthcareThe healthcare system runs on people power. From nurses and physicians to food service and housekeeping, the hearts, minds, and hands of real people are the engines behind many aspects of healthcare delivery and organizational infrastructure. As the use of artificial intelligence and robotics increase, how we approach the management of human resources will say a great deal about our values, workplace culture, and the healthcare industry writ large.
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New ways to help patients with chronic conditions
Lisa Mulcahy Medical & Allied HealthcareAs a physician, bringing relief to patients with chronic conditions, which include everything from diabetes to high blood pressure to arthritis and more, is a top priority. Yet aside from prescribing the proper medication and charting your patients' progress through appointments, there are a number of strategies you can employ to make them feel better on a daily basis. These strategies are low-tech, easy to implement and follow, and can make a huge difference in terms of quality of life, according to recent scientific research. Try these proven tips.
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A look at officer mental health and community relations
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityMore police officers die by suicide than in the line of duty. In 2017, there were an estimated 140 law enforcement suicides. Law enforcement officers also suffer from more depression, PTSD, burnout, and anxiety than others. A recent national policing conference in Elkhart, Indiana, addressed these serious issues to help officers find a better balance between work and home life. It is vital that departments spread mental health awareness among law enforcement officers, their friends, and families.
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Better broadband needed for telehealth access in rural areas
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareRural Americans are going online for a variety of health-related services, but better availability of broadband internet is necessary to meet future telehealth demand, a new U.S. Department of Agriculture report suggests. Telehealth is rising in popularity for rural areas because of doctor shortages, hospital closings and lack of reliable transportation options. "It allows people to be more engaged in their own health while facilitating care of minor ailments and monitoring of chronic conditions," researchers said.
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A pharmacist’s thoughts on Florida suing CVS, Walgreens
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalWe are struggling as a nation to manage the devastating impact of drug diversion, abuse, addiction, and overdose deaths. Florida has taken a unique approach to deal with the crisis: sue the pharmacy. As a pharmacist I want nothing more than to see us reduce the nonmedical use of opioids and to get help to those patients who find themselves locked into a pattern of addiction and abuse. That being said, I respectfully believe that suing pharmacies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers, is an inappropriate and unhelpful response.
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Boost patient safety at your hospital by reducing little-known risks
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationAs an administrator, patient safety is a top priority — and you no doubt are on top of as many established health risk elements as you can be. Research has shown that little-known environmental risks can be surprisingly detrimental to patients' welfare, however. How can you cut these potential hazards before they become bigger problems? Use the following science-driven info to recognize and reduce risk.
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