Elderly

Cousins Alicia Christopher (far left) and Jodie Finney (far right) are each dealing with a parent with dementia: Christopher's dad Patrick Behan (center left) and Finney's mom Margot Condie (center right).

The Caregiver Club helps St. Louis families deal with dementia

Sarah Fenske

Cousins Jodie Finney and Alicia Christopher each have a parent dealing with dementia. They want to equip caregivers for their work.

“We’ve got staff that are out and about in their communities that may have pockets of high positivity rates and then they’re coming back into the facility and potentially bringing that to a resident,” said Jenny Hollandsworth, Long-Term Care Ombudsman for the state of Missouri.

Coronavirus

Nearly half of Missouri nursing home workers never got a COVID vaccine. New rules may require it

Shahla Farzan

A federal mandate will soon require all U.S. nursing homes to vaccinate their workers or risk losing government funding. But some worry vaccine mandates will worsen staff shortages.

Since March, 3,762 nursing home residents in St. Louis County have contracted the coronavirus and 593 have died, accounting for nearly 60% of all COVID-19 deaths countywide.

Health, Science, Environment

Illinois Should Learn From COVID Crisis On Long-Term Care And Nursing Shortage, Advocates Say

Derek Cantù

The state should focus on home and community based services more than institutions for eldercare.

The legislation would protect Missouri nursing homes and other groups from coronavirus-related lawsuits for four years, a step that some lawmakers and industry groups say is necessary to prevent a possible deluge of liability cases. But advocates contend the proposal would eliminate all consequences for nursing home operators.

Health, Science, Environment

COVID Liability Bill Would Shield Missouri Nursing Homes From Consequences, Advocates Warn

Shahla Farzan

Missouri lawmakers are considering legislation that would shield nursing homes and other businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits. Some advocates worry the proposal will prevent nursing home residents from holding facilities legally responsible for abuse and neglect.

Greg Shank, 20, Harry Shank, 94 and Gary Shank, 65, pose for a photo at their home in St. Louis County on May 22, 2020.

Health, Science, Environment

Afraid Of Coronavirus Exposure, St. Louis Families Are Pulling Loved Ones Out Of Nursing Homes

Eli Chen

A few weeks ago, St. Louis County resident Gary Shank decided to move his 94-year-old father out of Delmar Gardens nursing home in Chesterfield. Delmar…

Anthony Brooks, third-year medical student at Washington University, calls a patient to tell them they have tested negative for COVID-19. Though most are not able to care directly for coronavirus patients, many med students are helping in other ways.

Health, Science, Environment

St. Louis Med Students Launch COVID-19 Volunteer Effort

Shahla Farzan

Cyrus Ghaznavi is supposed to be studying for his final exams — but like other students, he’s having trouble focusing in the midst of a global pandemic.…

Families and friends are finding alternative ways to connect in response to stay-at-home orders as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Health, Science, Environment

Combating Seniors' Isolation During The COVID-19 Outbreak

Emily Woodbury

Even before the outbreak of COVID-19 forced mass social distancing — keeping friends and family members apart for the sake of their health — many seniors…

Cubicles lay in neat rows at the call center for Missouri's Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline. The hotline only answered half of calls placed to it last year.

Thousands Call Missouri's Adult Abuse Hotline, But Only Some Get Through

Kyra Haas and Aviva Okeson-Haberman

Last year, Missouri's hotline for reports about abuse of elderly adults, as well as abuse of residents with disabilities, answered only half of its...

Health, Science, Environment

Missouri Auditor Finds Changes To Home Health Care Saved Far Less Than Expected

Sarah Fentem

Controversial changes to Missouri's home health-services program by former Gov. Eric Greitens and the Republican-controlled legislature saved one fourth…

Tony Bartleson attemps to lure his dog, Murphy, into the water at Kerth Fountain in Forest Park on Thursday, July 5.

Health, Science, Environment

Steamy St. Louis heat life-threatening for some

Sarah Fentem

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a heat advisory this week as temperatures soared into the upper 90s.The hot weather puts vulnerable…