A priceless business leadership lesson from The Grateful Dead 
Forbes; by Eli Amdur; 10/26/24 
Phil Lesh, the Grateful Dead’s singularly iconic and beloved bassist, died last week at age 84. ... And the lessons we learned from him – and the boys – are more applicable to business than ever before. The timeliest of all comes from Phil ... The essence of the Grateful Dead, he explained, is “the infinite mutability of our music.” ... And if anything signals a business survival mandate in today’s dizzyingly changing world, that’s still it: infinite mutability. ... Every time they stepped on stage, they were a living, breathing experiment in creativity, fearless about treading new ground, easily drifting into their 20-minute jams (or more) on “Dark Star” or “Goin’ Down the Road” or “Morning Dew” or just about anything else … [They] stayed fresh, new, fearless, and constantly innovative. ... And who pointed us to this lesson? Phil, that quiet, unassuming bassist who usually could be seen stage right, away from the glare of the spotlight, while Jerry and Bobby took vocal and instrumental leads and Mickey and Billy wove together an integrated drum partnership ... All the while. There was Phil – the most innovative bassist I ever saw – laying down a foundation to support the Dead’s infinite mutability ...

Dia De Los Muertos can provide powerful healing for anyone who is grieving a loved one 
Santa Barbara Independent; by Hospice of Santa Barbara; 10/29/24 
Many of those who have lost a loved one are looking for ways to manage their grief and Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) helps to navigate this often-painful journey in a variety of ways.  This may include grief counseling, support groups, and healing modalities such as poetry and art.  ... Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) has become an increasingly popular holiday in the United States as it is seen as a valuable way to reconnect with those who have died and relieve grief in an individual and shared ritual of celebration. Dia De Los Muertos is a two-day holiday that reunites the living and dead, November 1 and 2. Families create ofrendas (offerings) to honor their departed family members that have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their food and join in the celebrations. Day of the Dead is a holiday for celebrating death and life where mourning is combined with celebration.  

Creating death box eases stress, brings 'peace of mind' to those left behind 
BradfordToday.ca, Canada; by Andrew Philips; 10/26/24 
"The whole concept is about creating conversations," Hospice Huronia supportive care coordinator Tammy Vaters says. Creating a death box might sound like sort of a morbid thing to do, but it’s vitally important. That’s according to Tammy Vaters, supportive care coordinator at Hospice Huronia-Tomkins House, ... who leads upcoming workshops on creating a death box or a “legacy box or final wishes box” for those uncomfortable with the more succinct terminology ["death box"]. ... Besides end-of-life wishes, Vaters says the box can include photos that someone would like displayed at a celebration of life or similar offering along with personalized letters to family and friends and personal mementos that have special meaning. “It gives you more opportunities of expressing how you feel about somebody,” she says, noting the boxes should also contain usernames and passwords that may aid one's loved ones after death. “They can be more thoughtful and personal.” Vaters, who is a specialist in thanatology (the study of death, dying and bereavement), says people will often use another term for death. 

Cemeteries no longer just for the dead: Spaces have a new life of their own 
USA Today; by Phaedra Trethan; 10/27/24 
It all began with Rudolph Valentino. The silent movie star, one of cinema's first sex symbols, is buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery, one of many celebrities interred there. Showing his movies for the devoted fans who showed up to remember him decades after his sudden and shocking death in 1926 at just 31, the cemetery's operators noticed the gathering grew year after year. Why not host more movie nights, especially in the final resting place of Hollywood royalty: Judy Garland, Cecil B. DeMille, Mickey Rooney, Tyrone Power and Douglas Fairbanks, to name a few, they thought? ... Hollywood Forever isn't the only cemetery offering programs beyond the usual historic tours and talks. Visitors at many U.S. cemeteries can check out movie screenings, market days, concerts, art installations and dance and theater performances. Some are even finding ways to change the conversation around death itself − and bringing life to spaces previously thought of only for the dead. 

Strengthening our community: NPHI welcomes four new member organizations 
National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI); by NPHI; 10/30/24 
The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), the national voice for nonprofit advanced illness care, is pleased to welcome four new members to our innovative, mission-driven community: Hospice of the Piedmont, Hospice of Wichita Falls (HOWF), Montgomery Hospice & Prince George’s Hospice, and Stillwater Hospice. These organizations exemplify the dedication and care that NPHI members stand for, strengthening our commitment to mission-driven, nonprofit end-of-life care services across the nation. 
Editor's note: NPHI is a sponsor of this newsletter.

Valparaiso American Legion Post 94 riders raise $12,500 for VNA Hospice of NWI 
NWI.Life, by VNA Hospice NWI; 10/29/24
The Valparaiso American Legion Riders Post 94 held its inaugural Forever Our Heroes ride on August 10, 2024 with nearly 50 riders who stopped at American Legions in Michigan City, Kingsford Heights and Kouts. The ride raised $12,500 for the VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana in recognition of its We Honor Veterans program. A group of Legion Riders presented the check to the VNA Hospice on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at its administrative offices in Valparaiso. “The VNA Hospice is extremely grateful for this generous gift that helps us support even more veterans, not just those under our care but any who need additional assistance,” said Bob Franko, VNA Hospice president and CEO. The VNA Hospice has achieved We Honor Veterans Level 5 status through its national association for its commitment to veterans. 
Editor's note: Click here for the We Honor Veterans program by NHPCO, now The Alliance.

Mountain Valley celebrates renovated facility 
The Mount Airy News, Yadkinville, NC; by Mountain Valley; 10/28/24 
Mountain Valley, a local hospice and palliative care organization, recently marked the official opening of its newly renovated Yadkinville hospice office. The facility will enable Mountain Valley to expand its services and continue providing care to the residents of Yadkin County. ... Paul Hammes, Mountain Valley board chair and CEO of Hugh Chatham Health, commented on the importance of this project for the community. “This office shows Mountain Valley’s deepening commitment to offering support for Yadkin County residents close to home. It’s important to us to provide quality and compassionate care that doesn’t require our patients and families to leave the comfort of their community.” ... Mountain Valley is a nonprofit organization providing end-of-life care in 18 counties in North Carolina and Virginia.

The hurdles providers may face when setting up a palliative care program 
Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/30/24 
Health care providers can have a bumpy road ahead of them when it comes to launching a new service like palliative care, in part due to complex legal and regulatory requirements. Before they launch a new program, operators must have a clear picture of their target population and the structure they want to build, according to Rachel Carey, counsel with the Virginia-based law firm Whiteford. Carey advises hospices establishing new services, pursuing acquisitions and other issues. Hospice News spoke with Carey about the regulatory and legal obstacles that health care providers may encounter when setting out to build a new program and what they should do to prepare. 

80-year-old 'Mom' cares for homeless men in Philadelphia 
ABC News 7, New York, NY; by Matteo Iadonisi; 10/30/24 
Cecelia Robinson has earned the nickname 'Mom' during her two decades of showing motherly love to homeless residents at St. John's Hospice. Her work in environmental services and housekeeping ranges from taking out the trash to developing relationships with clients and making sure their needs are met. Specifically, she works in the Good Shepherd residence at St. John's Hospice, which cares for men who are considered medically fragile. Robinson has helped men like Craig Freeman, who utilized the Good Shepherd for transitional housing and has since moved into his own apartment. Watch the video [here] to see Robinson's story in action.
Editor's note: Do you need inspiration? Click here to view this beautiful story about Cecelia Robinson's care for homeless residents at St. John's Hospice.

Guidelines vary when surrogates with power of attorney disagree with advance directives  
Healio, Boston, MA; by Richard Gawel; 10/30/24 
Inconsistent guidelines can lead to conflicts when surrogates with powers of attorney disagree with what may be described in a patient’s advance directive, according to a poster presented at the CHEST Annual Meeting. ... Key takeaways:

• The surrogate of an unresponsive patient asked to continue care.
• The providers consulted with their system’s ethics and legal departments.
• Guidelines vary from state to state, if states have them at all.

20 Medicare FAQs: Do you know the answers? 
WealthUp; by Riley Adams, CPA; 10/29/24 
Medicare is instrumental in ensuring that older adults, as well as individuals of all ages with certain medical conditions, have access to affordable health care. It’s also infuriatingly complex in some respects. According to the 2024 KFF Survey of Consumer Experiences, 37% of respondents said it was either “somewhat difficult” or “very difficult” to understand at least one of five aspects of their Medicare coverage. That’s at least better than employer-sponsored insurance (54%) or Medicaid (46%), but it’s still a high percentage that shows many Americans don’t know Medicare inside and out. ... I’ve compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Medicare, and (more importantly) answers to those questions. The better you understand this vital social program, the easier it should be to make educated decisions regarding it. [Click here and scroll down to "Common Medicare Questions."] 

Dr. Wu explores team engagement in Psychology Today 
Montclair State University; Feliciano School of Business; 10/28/24 
Dr. Te Wu, Associate Professor in the department of Management, recently published an article in Psychology Today. The article, The Psychology of Team Engagement, co-authored with Dr. Brian Williamson, delves into the importance of empathetic leadership for high performing, motivated teams. Team engagement is crucial for organizational success, especially in today’s complex work environment. High engagement levels lead to increased productivity, creativity, and profitability, while disengagement can result in high turnover and low employee morale. Research indicates that highly engaged employees can make companies 22% more profitable and contribute to a 19% increase in operating income. Key factors influencing engagement include autonomy, competence, and connection. Autonomy allows employees to take control of their work, competence is enhanced through continuous learning and feedback, and connection establishes a sense of belonging. 

Chapters Health System launches new Chapters Health West Division
Cision PRWeb; by Chapters Health System; 10/30/24 
Chapters Health System, in collaboration with four highly respected not-for-profit organizations — Hospice East Bay (Pleasant Hill, CA), Hospice of Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz, CA), Nathan Adelson Hospice (Las Vegas, NV) and Willamette Vital Health (Salem, OR) — is proud to announce the creation and official launch of Chapters Health West. This landmark partnership signifies the beginning of a new era in not-for-profit hospice care across the Western United States, blending innovation with a commitment to compassionate, community-based care. "We are building a future where we can do more, innovate more and serve more," said Andrew Molosky, MBA, CHPCA, president and chief executive officer for Chapters Health. "By aligning our strengths, we will continue to deliver exceptional care while expanding our capacity to meet the growing needs of those navigating serious illness and grief in our communities." ... "While joining forces under the broader Chapters Health System, each hospice will maintain its local leadership, culture and deep-rooted community relationships. This ensures that care remains personal, meaningful and aligned with the values of each unique community."

Covenant Care deal a growth engine for Vitas 
Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/30/24 
VITAS Healthcare’s acquisition of Covenant Health and Community Services hospice business has emerged as a growth engine for the company. In April, VITAS acquired Covenant’s hospice operations as well as one assisted living facility in an $85 million deal. The transaction brought VITAS into the Alabama market and expanded its geographic footprint in Florida and marked the company’s entry into the assisted living space. Covenant Health contributed close to $11 million to VITAS’ $391.4 million third quarter revenue, which is up 17.3% year over year. In addition to the acquisition, the company in Q3 saw an 15.5% increase in average daily census (ADC) reaching 21,785. Admissions also rose 6.3% to 16,775.

Hands On Medicine says goodbye as independent clinics struggle to break even 
The Lund Report; by Jake Thomas; 10/29/24  
After 18 years of operating her northeast Portland primary care clinic, Shelda Holmes decided it would be better to close Hands on Medicine than prop up what she calls the “medical industrial health complex.” Her story shows the predicament faced by independent primary care clinics, and sheds light on why so many are shutting down or selling out to hospital systems or private equity owned chains — even passionate, devoted providers like Holmes. “You hear the anthem: ‘We need more primary care providers,’” Holmes, a nurse practitioner, told The Lund Report. “You feel it in your heart. But the obstacles are nearly unsurmountable. We can’t answer the call.” Research shows that robust primary care can reduce health care spending by treating patients' medical problems before they become more expensive. Holmes’ story spotlights what critics say are worrying trends that are eroding providers’ independence and clinical decision-making while increasingly putting primary care —a service that policymakers want more of — out of reach. 

Walgreens layoffs hit 256 workers in another round of cuts 
Modern Healthcare; by Katherine Davis; 10/29/24 
Walgreens Boots Alliance is laying off more employees in another round of corporate personnel cuts. The struggling pharmacy chain is laying off 256 employees, or 3.6%, of its support center team employees and cutting about 215 open and unfilled roles, Walgreens spokesman Fraser Engerman confirmed Tuesday in a statement to Crain’s. Engerman said the cuts reflect Deerfield-based Walgreens’ efforts to turn around the business and its recent decision to focus on its core retail pharmacy business. ... This latest round of layoffs follows a fiscal year full of billion-dollar losses, store closure announcements and cost-cutting initiatives.

I told my colleagues, "I'm coming in Halloween as a ghost. I'll be here. You just won't see me." ~ Anonymous