06/11/2025

PALTC News - June 11

Facilitators of and Barriers to Deprescribing Diabetes Medications in Older Adults: A Qualitative Study

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Over half of older adults with diabetes remain on overly intensive or inappropriate medication regimens to treat diabetes and related complications, leading to adverse drug events, polypharmacy, and increased risk of hospitalization and death. This study aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to deprescribing diabetes medications in this population. Read more.

Nursing homes 'struggling' for attention as TEAM payment model nears launch

McKnight's Long-Term Care News
A new mandatory payment bundle for five surgical procedures that drive major post-acute payments goes into effect Jan. 1, but many hospitals are so wrapped up in developing their own framework that nursing homes — potential partners — may not be getting the attention they deserve. Read more.

Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation on Cognition in Adults With Mild to Moderate Vitamin D Deficiency: Outcomes From the VitaMIND Randomized Controlled Trial

JAMDA
Preserved cognitive health with ageing is a public health imperative. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with poor cognition, but it is unclear whether supplementation would provide benefit, particularly in individuals with mild/moderate deficiencies which do not have other clinical risks. The objective of this study was to establish the impact of daily vitamin D supplementation on cognition in older adults with mild to moderate vitamin D deficiency. Read more. (Open Access)

The Impact of Nursing Staff Wages on Nursing Home Quality: An Instrumental Variable Approach

JAMDA
Nursing staff are central to ensuing high-quality care in nursing homes (NHs), yet their wages often lag behind those in other health care settings. This study aimed to examine whether higher wages for nursing staff—registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs)—were associated with better NH quality. Read more.

A Better Way to Care for Long-Term Care Residents in Times of Medical Urgency: An Implementation Intervention Using a Stepped-Wedge Design to Reduce Unnecessary Acute Care Transfers

JAMDA
Approximately 25% of long-term care (LTC) residents are transferred to an emergency department (ED) when experiencing an acute change in health status. This can place strain on health care resources and negatively impact residents. Many residents' conditions could be managed within LTC if appropriate supports were provided. This implementation study objective was to optimize and evaluate processes followed when considering acute care management and transfer decisions for residents in LTC. Read more. (Open Access)