Vitamin D – The Magic Pill? 

Angie Szumlinski News

There has been a lot of talk about the benefits of Vitamin D for seniors, everything from improving memory loss to reduced mortality, depending on what study you read. In fairness, many physicians start older adults on Vitamin D in the belief that it will decrease falls and fractures. True, seniors are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency due …

Artificial Sweeteners

Angie Szumlinski News

Remember the day when we used saccharine to sweeten our coffee or tea? Then researchers discovered that this additive can cause cancer and bam, off the market. I remember neighbors running out to stock up on diet soda before the stores removed it from the shelves. I wondered why someone would stock up on something that isn’t healthy. Well, these …

Gardening

Angie Szumlinski News

I, for one have never been a gardener – I don’t like bugs, worms, or dirt, however, many of my friends and family LOVE to garden! That said, I enjoy the bounty of fresh vegetables my gardening friends share with me, a little selfish probably? Those who garden say it is like being on a deserted island, no one bothers …

In Pursuit of Perfection

Angie Szumlinski News

In a previous blog I asked how researchers identified what was relevant to the general population prior to beginning a study. Today I’m asking how tech developers determine the next technological advances and relevance to the general public. The only reason I ask is because Apple has applied for a patent called “Electronic Devices with Body Composition Analysis Circuitry”.   What …

Wedded Bliss!

Angie Szumlinski News

I remember growing up, the magic of a beautiful wedding, the bride in a flowing white gown and veil taking her groom’s hand, smiling, happy, wedded bliss! Life couldn’t get much better than that, right? As the years moved on, the happy couple developed a daily routine, some days running parallel lives, others coming together to celebrate, grieve, or just …

Study After Study

Angie Szumlinski News

Did you ever wonder where scientists come up with the next topic for a “study?” Do you think that they lay awake at night and try to figure out what to study? Just curious because some of the studies I read, although interesting, have little relevance to my life in general. Not that studies aren’t important and not that researchers …

Now You’re Talking!

Angie Szumlinski News

Finally, in my pursuit of happiness, a study supports my theory that red wine is a healthy form of liquid grapes! That’s right, a study published on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (a highly respected resource) concluded that red wine has a beneficial effect on the gut mirobiome which MAY contribute to cardiovascular benefits.  A downside to this study is that red wine does …

Cultivating Kindness

Angie Szumlinski News

What a wonderful theme for the 2023 National Skilled Nursing Care Week! AHCA/NCAL announced that they have posted resources to assist members in celebrating the kindness our caregivers share with residents every day. It is fun to “celebrate” with an annual event, we need to honor those who face the challenges of staying positive, providing quality care, and embracing each …

Who is Driving the Bus?

Angie Szumlinski News

There are not enough hours in the day or list-servs to sign up for to keep current with new information vital to the management of our post–acute care/senior living communities. On February 3, 2023, CMS announced updates to the LTCSP Survey Resources with an effective date of February 17, 2023. There were no memorandums or QSO memos sent to providers …

Again and Again

Angie Szumlinski News

Sadly, there has been another active shooter situation, this time on the campus of Michigan State University. Three young lives lost and 5 in critical condition in a local hospital. The shooter, who left the campus shortly after the rampage, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, dead. Apparently, the shooter had no connection to the university which makes this …