Dry mouth: Are oral health programmes for community dwelling elderly beneficial?

Older people with learning disabilities need opportunities to speak for themselves

This review of whether oral health promotion programmes for community‐dwelling elderly were effective in improving oral health and oral saliva secretion or in decreasing dry mouth included 9 studies most of which came from a single country

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Low dose Amisulpride for very late onset schizophrenia-like psychosis: the ATLAS study

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Elwira Lubos summarises the recent ATLAS RCT of antipsychotic treatment for very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis, which provides evidence for the effectiveness of a very low dose of Amisulpride (100 mg).

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What is happening to the quality of care in care homes during times of austerity?

Nursing home care

Mike Clark looks at a study of 12 different nursing homes on how quality of care is affected by financial cutbacks.

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Bipolar disorder in older men linked to increased risk of dementia

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Elena Marcus presents a recent study that shows how older Australian men with bipolar disorder have an increased risk of dementia and early death.

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What can local decision makers do to address unplanned admissions in the elderly?

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This report shares findings of a mixed methods case study, to explore best practice in reducing unplanned admissions in the elderly population.

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What about stretch intensity and position?

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Lesley Dawson considers a systematic review, which investigates how stretch intensity and body position may impact and influence the soft and connective tissue.

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HSJ Commission challenges anecdote-based practice for frail elderly

frail elderly

Alison Turner considers the strengths and weaknesses of a new report which presents the findings of the HSJ Commission on Hospital Care for Frail Older People, asking key questions of commissioners, providers and patients.

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Commissioning Support Units: Their progress so far

Back office function

The Health Service Journal has published this supplement to highlight the successes of Commissioning Support Units (CSUs), and to discuss their next steps, as they “enter a competitive market next year”, where they have to bid to get a place on the lead provider framework. There has been immense change since CSUs were first launched, [read the full story…]

“Care needs to be just as important as treatment” says report

Pathway through a forest

This practical guidance has been written to help commissioners, service providers, nurses, medical, and allied health professionals, understand the difference care and compassion can make to the service experience of frail older people, and also to the financial situation of health and social care organisations. The guide covers the following themes: Reducing healthcare-related harm Care [read the full story…]