Lauren Ellerman

Today’s Wall Street Journal featured an article on the “home health” care industry. Without regulation, families have sadly learned the hard way, how difficult it is to find quality, and qualified help. Criminal records, physical abuse, financial fraud – the unimaginable has occurred to our nation’s seniors.While we support the…

A local physician told me in a deposition once, that he hates having to prescribe coumadin. When I asked why, he explained it was such a difficult drug to manage and required so much attention. Well, I know what he means. Coumadin, a blood thinner, is generally given post op…

I am on malaria pills for a trip I took recently. What if I get sick and need an antibiotic, do the two meds mix? What about those elderly adults on 7 or more meds. My Mom has MS and cancer – she is on 6 mds, and 8 vitamins…

If you were any where near a newspaper today, I am confident you read an article about Medicare fraud. This time, dead doctors were paid for services and supplies. Yes, you read that right.How does this happen?When you and I go to the Doctor, services are rendered, co-pay is collected,…

FDA announced yesterday it will begin requiring warnings on certain epilepsy drugs, that the medications may cause suicidal behavior.11 drugs, used for pain and epilepsy management will be required to include the labels. Pfizer, maker of Lyrica, testified that the FDA’s research did not match its own. Despite their efforts,…

I read a great article in the Wallstreet Journal this morning by LUCETTE LAGNADOShe writes about a $300,000 grant that has jump-started a new trend in elder care. “In the spring of 2001, Bill Thomas, dressed in his usual sweat shirt and Birkenstock sandals, entered the buttoned-down halls of the…

I love Williamsburg – and am sad that the residents of James City County are plagued by the same problems that other localities in Virginia are…. poor nursing home care.Records reflect 83 year old woman had no skin problems – but family can tell by looking at her, that most…

I read in the Wall Street Journal today, that the FDA said it will add warnings to the labels of older anti-psychotic drugs, regarding dangers of drug use for persons with dementia.These meds haven’t been FDA approved for folks with dementia, but were being prescribed by physicians all over the…