Commonly Used Medications Linked to Dementia

Cleaning out our medicine cabinet.

Every once in a awhile, I come across something that I want everyone I care about to read. The latest is a study that found a significant link between high use of anticholinergic drugs - including popular non-prescription sleep aids and the antihistamine Benadryl - and increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease in older people.

Anticholinergic drugs block the action of acetylcholine which stimulates muscle contractions. They treat things like gastrointestinal problems, overactive bladder, respiratory disorders, insomnia, depression and allergies. Benadryl and Tylenol PM are commonly used anticholinergic that are sold over-the-counter. In the study, the drugs were found to have a cumulative effect that may not be reversible. You can view a list of anticholinergic drugs available by prescription on the Mayo Clinic Site. 

Does Your Organization Have a Glide Path to the Cadillac Tax?

A Skimm Style Cadillac Tax Primer

What's the Cadillac Tax?

The ACA expanded health coverage to millions. The Cadillac Tax helps to cover the cost of the expansion by taxing employers that provide "high-cost" health coverage to their employees. AKA -- Excise Tax.

What's a Glide Path?

When I was at the World Health Care Congress, I heard big employers like Disney refer to a glide path. They've projected how the tax will impact them and have plans in place that will allow them to limbo under the tax thresholds (more on that later.) FOMO -- I want ASHA to have a glide path too.