Literature Review
Boy, 7, takes on 145-mile challenge for hospice
06/21/24 at 03:00 AMBoy, 7, takes on 145-mile challenge for hospice BBC News, Peterborough, United Kingdom; by Shariqua Ahmed; 6/15/24 A seven-year-old boy has taken on a mythical-themed challenge to raise funds for a hospice. Isaac Yates from King's Cliffe in Northamptonshire is scooting, walking and cycling 145 miles (233km) through a Lord of the Rings Virtual Conqueror Challenge for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough [United Kingdom]. His mum, Zoë Hopkinson, works as a physiotherapist at the hospice which inspired Isaac's mission as he wants to “help people who are suffering and dying.”
Today's Encouragement: Ah, summer ...
06/21/24 at 03:00 AMAt the Summer Solstice, all is green and growing, potential coming into being, the miracle of manifestation painted large on the canvas of awareness. At the Winter Solstice, the wind is cold, trees are bare and all lies in stillness beneath blankets of snow. – Gary Zukav
Pennant and Hartford HealthCare partner to transform home care services
06/21/24 at 03:00 AMPennant and Hartford HealthCare partner to transform home care services CBS News 13, Eagle, Idaho; by Pennant Group, Inc.; 6/18/24 The Pennant Group, Inc., the parent company of the Pennant group of affiliated home health, hospice and senior living companies, announced today that it has entered into a management and consulting services agreement to provide operational support to Hartford HealthCare at Home (HHCAH), the home health and hospice business of Hartford HealthCare. Hartford HealthCare is the highest ranking in quality, comprehensive non-profit integrated health system in Connecticut, and HHCAH’s home-based care spans the state, with eight locations, more than 1,000 employees, and more than 33,000 home health admissions and approximately 4,000 hospice admissions over the trailing 12 months. Hartford HealthCare has provided home-based care for over a century, and this engagement of Pennant reflects its continued commitment to home-based care as an essential and growing part of the care continuum and a central component of Hartford HealthCare’s future. Hartford HealthCare at Home remains owned by Hartford HealthCare and is a critical part of Hartford HealthCare’s ecosystem of care.
University Hospitals to cut more than 300 positions
06/21/24 at 03:00 AMUniversity Hospitals to cut more than 300 positions Modern Healthcare; by Paige Bennett; 6/19/24 University Hospitals is eliminating more than 300 positions amid challenges in the healthcare industry. The health system announced Wednesday, June 19, that it was reducing its leadership structure by more than 10% as part of an organizational reset. The move comes at a time when healthcare systems across the U.S. are grappling with rising costs and labor shortages. UH Chief Operating Officer Dr. Paul Hinchey said in a phone interview with Crain’s that the cuts focused on leadership and support services, not frontline workers. Affected employees began being notified by the health system on Monday, he said. The health system said the vast majority of the cuts were non-clinical and will not impact patient care. The move “complements a plan over the past three years to increase efficiency, consolidate service lines and close hospitals in Bedford and Richmond Heights,” according to UH.
AFT launches new union physicians’ organizing effort: Doctors across the country are joining together for rights and respect
06/21/24 at 03:00 AMAFT launches new union physicians’ organizing effort: Doctors across the country are joining together for rights and respect American Federation of Teachers; by Alexis Lopez; 6/18/24 AFT President Randi Weingarten announced the launch of a brand-new doctors’ organizing initiative and division: Union Physicians of AFT. Doctors across the country are faced with crippling burnout from administrative overload, frustration over financial barriers affecting their patients’ capacity to pay, and lack of respect from corporate owners who put profits over patients—and now they’re organizing with the AFT to fight back. ... These challenges are apparent across the healthcare sector, but less than 10 percent of all U.S. doctors have formed unions. The tide is rapidly turning. ... The ranks of AFT’s physicians have already grown at an unprecedented rate—with over 3,200 new members, from New York to Oregon, joining the union over the last year. The AFT is the fastest growing healthcare union and the second-largest nurses union in the U.S.
Circle of Life Hospice opens guest house
06/21/24 at 03:00 AMCircle of Life Hospice opens guest house ABC KOLO 8 NewsNow, Reno, Nevada; by Emily Benito; 6/19/24The Circle of Life Hospice Foundation has just opened their first hospice care guest house for those that cannot afford room or board or end of life care. President of The Circle of Life Hospice Foundation Michelle Cagle says that if they had 10 to 15 beds in the house, they could help around 271 patients a year. The guest house currently has three beds for patients but with more land to build on, there are plans to build a second guest house on the property. “Whether they are homeless or just elderly or their wife can’t take care of them or they’re just not able to afford it or they don’t have any family or children, that’s what we do and opened this house to care for those people.”
Rendever and Lenovo collaborate to bring virtual reality experiences to Carolina Caring seniors
06/21/24 at 03:00 AMRendever and Lenovo collaborate to bring virtual reality experiences to Carolina Caring seniors Fox 8, Boston, MA; by Rendever; 6/19/24 Rendever, the Boston-based company pioneering the future of aging through virtual reality (VR), announces the deployment of its virtual reality platform with Lenovo to Carolina Caring patients. The rollout allows clinicians and caregivers to bring expansive, once-in-a-lifetime VR experiences to older patients whose worlds have become limited. Over the last year, Rendever and Lenovo combined their products into a joint solution that senior living providers can easily adopt to improve the quality of life for older adults through positive shared experiences. Rendever’s award-winning virtual reality solution delivered on Lenovo’s ThinkReality VRX headset provides an all-in-one standalone solution that meets the evolving needs of enterprises with modern virtual reality with six degrees of freedom, full color, and high-resolution experiences. Rendever is deployed in over 700 communities nationwide and looks to further expand with the addition of Carolina Caring in collaboration with Lenovo.
Alzheimer’s history on maternal side linked to higher disease risk, study finds
06/21/24 at 03:00 AMAlzheimer’s history on maternal side linked to higher disease risk, study finds McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Kristen Fischer; 6/17/24 People with a history of Alzheimer’s disease on their mother’s side or both parents’ sides of the family had higher levels of amyloid plaques in their brains compared to those with fathers who had the disease, according to a study published Monday in JAMA Neurology. Increased amyloid, a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease, was also found in those whose fathers had early onset of symptoms. But it wasn’t as high as in people who had higher amyloid on their mothers’ side of the family, the data showed. Mass General Brigham researchers used amyloid imaging on 4,413 cognitively unimpaired adults who were between 65 and 85.
Mercy Medical Center unveils Andy Yee Memorial Palliative Care Unit
06/21/24 at 03:00 AMMercy Medical Center unveils Andy Yee Memorial Palliative Care Unit WWLP 22 News, Springfield, MA; 6/18/24 Springfield city officials joined Mercy Medical Center for a tour of the upcoming Andy Yee Memorial Palliative Care Unit. Patients who are severely sick or coming to their last days will now have another space to get the care that they need. The work for the Andy Yee Memorial Palliative Care Unit is underway at Mercy Medical Center. This new space on the 5th floor of the facility will help to enhance patient care. ... In the next phase comes the renovation and remodeling of eight patient rooms. This new unit will help Mercy Medical providers care for about 300 patients a year.
Mass General Brigham union could shape hospital-at-home’s future
06/21/24 at 03:00 AMMass General Brigham union could shape hospital-at-home’s future Modern Healthcare; by Diane Eastabrook; 6/17/24 Nurses at one of the nation’s largest hospital-at-home programs have unionized, a move they hope could influence the future of in-home acute care and encourage more people working in home healthcare to join unions. The union vote at Boston’s Mass General Brigham comes as hospitals push aggressively to expand care outside of their walls, while a worker shortage and increased demand for healthcare contribute to rising labor strife among caregivers. Approximately 80 Mass General Brigham home hospital nurses voted overwhelmingly on May 16 to join the Massachusetts Nurse Association. The National Labor Relations Board certified the union to represent the nurses on May 24 and they are in the midst of selecting a bargaining team that will begin negotiating a contract with the hospital system within the next few months. ... The hospital system is set to expand the number of patients the program can accommodate from 50 patients a day to 200 over the next few years.
Our Hospice collects food in employee-led drive
06/21/24 at 02:30 AMOur Hospice collects food in employee-led drive The Republic; by Staff Reports; 6/20/24 Our Hospice (OHSCI) and Palliative Care collected 500 pounds of food for patients and families in need in an employee-led food drive. “The efforts, enthusiasm, and passion displayed by everyone at Our Hospice is truly astonishing!” said Chealsy Parr, a social worker who led the food drive. “Thanks to the participation of teammates from Greensburg, Columbus, the Hospice Center, Palliative Care, and North Vernon, we’ve significantly impacted those facing food insecurity.” “The employee – led food donations will go a long way to support those in our care who are in need,” said Steph Cain, president, Our Hospice and Palliative Care. [Located in Indiana] Editor's Note: Hospice leaders, how might you replicate this with your employees and volunteers, for the patients you serve? Forward this to the right person who can take this great initiative and make it happen.
How Coastal Hospice improved clinical outcomes with AI
06/21/24 at 02:15 AMHow Coastal Hospice improved clinical outcomes with AIHospice News; by Holly Vossel; 3/6/24Coastal Hospice & Palliative Care recently began exploring ways to improve clinical outcomes during the last days of life, an important quality measure in end-of-life care. The organization has found success utilizing an AI program that analyzes patient data using a palliative performance scale (PPS) indicator, according to Monica Escalante, president and CEO at Coastal Hospice. This window into a patient’s conditions has helped hospice teams better assess approaches to care delivery, Escalante said.Publisher's Note: I recently came across this article from a couple months ago and wanted to share it. An interesting article with impressive outcomes, I've also had positive experience with the PPS. Is your hospice using it?
Hospice of Marion County trains first responders to care for dementia patients
06/21/24 at 02:00 AMHospice of Marion County trains first responders to care for dementia patients Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/18/24 Florida-based Hospice of Marion County, an affiliate of Empath Health, is training first responders in its community on how to treat dementia patients. For several years, the nonprofit hospice has been educating family caregivers and others in their community about the experiences of dementia patients and how to better interact with them. More recently, Hospice of Marion County [Ocala, Florida] has been expanding that training to include local law enforcement and fire departments, as well as medical students and staff at assisted living facilities, among others. The training uses a series of tools to simulate symptoms of dementia, related to visual, tactile, auditory senses, their ability to process information and perform certain tasks. The education helps first responders address the unique challenges associated with caring for dementia patients, according to Dr. Mery Lossada, chief medical officer of Hospice of Marion County.Editor's Note: Bravo, Hospice of Marion County!
Top oncologists say everyone with advanced cancer needs early palliative care. Here are 6 things to know
06/21/24 at 02:00 AMTop oncologists say everyone with advanced cancer needs early palliative care. Here are 6 things to know ABC News, New York; by Lindsey Ulin, MD; 6/20/24This year, the American Society of Clinical Oncology — the world’s leading oncology organization — recommended palliative care for everyone with advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis and while receiving treatment. ... By next year, 693,000 people in the United States will have advanced breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, bladder, or skin cancer. ... “What I’m really excited to see is that these guidelines are taking a step back and thinking about [palliative care] from the time of diagnosis,” Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer for the American Cancer Society and an associate professor at Duke University specializing in oncology and palliative care, told ABC News. “It should particularly be used in areas to help people stay on treatment, such as in clinical trials or hematologic malignancies.” Here are six things to know about palliative care:
Cachexia and anorexia in serious illness: A podcast with Eduardo Bruera
06/20/24 at 03:00 AMCachexia and anorexia in serious illness: A podcast with Eduardo BrueraGeriPal [podcast]; by Eric Widera, Alex Smith, Eduardo Bruera; 6/13/24I always find cachexia in serious illness puzzling. I feel like I recognize it when I see it, but I struggle to give a clear definition or provide effective ways to address it. In today’s podcast, we had the opportunity to learn from a renowned expert in palliative care, Eduardo Bruera, about cachexia and anorexia in serious illness. Eduardo established one of the first palliative care programs in 1984, created the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS), and significantly contributed to the evidence base for palliative care symptoms that many of us rely on daily. During our discussion with Eduardo, we delved into how we can define cachexia and anorexia, why they occur in conditions like cancer, how to assess for them, and explored the interventions that are helpful and those that are not in the treatment of these conditions.
Man living with ALS for the last 24 years knocks off an item on his bucket list: Skydiving
06/20/24 at 03:00 AMMan living with ALS for the last 24 years knocks off an item on his bucket list: Skydiving CBS KCTV 5, Waldron, Missouri; by Joe Hennessy; 6/14/24 One of the longest-living people with ALS, 66-year-old Mark Johnson, achieved his dream of skydiving ... His passion for the skies started at a young age with his dad being an airline pilot. ... “I used to fly airplanes when I was a kid, I always wanted to jump out of one,” he said. “Being up there, being able to see everything. All of God’s creation out there.” Johnson is one of the longest survivors of ALS, living with the disease now for almost 25 years, getting assistance from the team at Shirkey Hospice in Richmond, Missouri. He’s traveled to Washington D.C. to raise awareness and pass bills to help those impacted too. ... How did we get here ...? He was asked by the hospice care workers a while back what is one thing he wants to do and he said skydiving so they managed to find a place that would allow for that dream to come true.
Today's Encouragement: Iced coffee ...
06/20/24 at 03:00 AMIced coffee on a hot day can perform miracles. - Anonymous
HHS to end Medicare pay program after Change Healthcare breach
06/20/24 at 03:00 AMHHS to end Medicare pay program after Change Healthcare breach Bloomberg Law; by Tony Pugh; 6/17/24The Biden administration announced plans Monday to terminate a program that provided more than $3.2 billion in accelerated and advance Medicare payments to hospitals, physicians, and others suffering cash flow disruptions following the Change Healthcare cyberattack in February. Medicare payments under the Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program for the Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) will end on July 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced.
It’s your funeral! How to plan ahead for the best party you’ll never attend
06/20/24 at 03:00 AMIt’s your funeral! How to plan ahead for the best party you’ll never attend The Guardian; by Doosie Morris; 6/14/24 Years before the indomitable Joan Rivers died in 2014 she immortalised hopes for her own farewell in her memoir. ... The rise in so-called “death positivity”, along with the mortal reality check wreaked on us by the pandemic, has helped to reframe death as a part of life for many of us. Taboos around discussing death are breaking down and planning your own funeral is increasingly considered as responsible as writing a will. ... While the latest Australian Funeral Industry report found less than one in five Australians have actually planned their own funeral, a definite vibe shift is occurring and 90% of people say they want to. ... “When people say ‘I don’t want a funeral’ I remind them it’s not actually for them,” Griffith says. “You might think you’re doing your loved ones a favour, but you are actually denying everyone who needs somewhere to put their grief.” ...
When your parents die: Becoming an adult orphan
06/20/24 at 03:00 AMWhen your parents die: Becoming an adult orphan The Montecito Journal; by Deann Zampelli; 6/18/24 Shortly after I got married, my 64-year-old mother lost her battle with breast cancer. Seven years later my father joined her. The loss isn’t any less painful just because you are a grown-up. ... Many don’t realize that grief isn’t linear. We don’t go through a neat little phase, checking off each stage as we complete it. The famous (and somewhat debunked) five stages of grief introduced by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in the 1960s (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance) were from a study she did on the emotional states of patients who were dying. It was their stages she was referencing, not ours. ... I came to a frightening realization. ... It suddenly dawned on me that my siblings and I were next in line to kick it. [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]Editor's Note: While serving in your hospice leadership roles, you experience the ongoing aging, changes and likely even deaths of your own family members, friends, and mentors. Do you, your hospice communications, and/or your grief services rely on the outdated "Stages of Grief" model? These "stages" opened the door in the 1960's for talking about death and dying, but became overpopularizd for surviving and healing after the loss. These have been replaced with extensive bereavement/loss/grief research, clinical best practices, and more. For expert information, resources, and bereavement professionals, examine www.adec.org, the Association for Death Education and Counseling.
Compliance landmines in the hospice regulatory landscape
06/20/24 at 03:00 AMCompliance landmines in the hospice regulatory landscape Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 6/14/24 Hospice providers are navigating a minefield in today’s regulatory environment to avoid getting caught up in the mix of fraudulent activity in the space. The current state of hospice regulations has providers walking compliance tightropes, according to Patrick Harrison, senior director of regulatory and compliance at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). Fraud, waste and abuse exist in several different industries and health care is no exception. But the majority of hospices are striving to provide quality end-of-life experiences to terminally ill patients and their families, Harrison said at the Hospice News Elevate conference in Washington D.C.
‘I tried to get into their shoes and their culture’. Care worker experiences in cultural end-of-life care: Interpretative phenomenological analysis
06/20/24 at 03:00 AM‘I tried to get into their shoes and their culture’. Care worker experiences in cultural end-of-life care: Interpretative phenomenological analysis Journal of Clinical Nursing / Early View; by Elizabeth Lambert RN, BN (Hons), Jo Gibson RN, BN, PhD, MAdvNsgPrac, Kasia Bail RN, BN(Hons), GCHE, PhD Aim: What are care workers' lived experiences caring for people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds during end-of-life care?What does this paper contribute to the wider global community? This study highlights the importance of understanding care workers’ experiences in providing culturally appropriate end-of-life care.
Mt. Hood Hospice honors women veterans with event
06/20/24 at 03:00 AMMt. Hood Hospice honors women veterans with event NewsBreak; by Brit Allen; 6/15/24 On Wednesday, June 12, Jolie Phanton, community outreach director for the organization took Mt. Hood’s veterans services a step further with a National Women Veterans Recognition Day celebration at Clackamas County Bank. The event featured a presentation on the history of women’s involvement in American-involved conflicts, as far back as the Revolutionary War up to current day. She spoke about how women have for a long time served as nurses, supply distributers, informants, and before they were allowed to fight alongside men, some disguised themselves as men and risked their lives on the battlefield. Women have also played many other roles in the military over the past 200 years. [Click on the title's link to read more.]Editor's Note: While we have highlighted various hospice veterans' stories, this brings fresh insights, information, and ideas. Thank you, Mt. Hood Hospice!
CMS - Roadmap to Better Care: Tribal Version
06/20/24 at 03:00 AMCMS - Roadmap to Better Care: Tribal Version CMS; 6/17/24This version of the Roadmap has been updated to help members of the American Indian and Alaskan Native community connect to their health care, including benefits provided through the Indian Health Service (IHS), Medicare, Medicaid, Marketplaces, or private insurance. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid, the IHS is not an insurance program or an established benefits package. IHS cannot guarantee funds are available each year, and as a result sometimes needs to prioritize patients of greatest need. The preservation of legacy, heritage, and traditions is vital. This roadmap is designed to help sustain cultural richness and strengthen the well-being of present and future American Indian and Alaska Natives for generations. To learn more about enrollment in Marketplace, Medicare, or Medicaid see pages 4 and 5 or visit ihs.gov/forpatients.
Bluegrass Care Navigators and Hosparus Health announce landmark affiliation agreement
06/20/24 at 03:00 AMBluegrass Care Navigators and Hosparus Health announce landmark affiliation agreement Hosparus Health Press Release; 6/17/24 Today marks a significant milestone as Bluegrass Care Navigators and Hosparus Health announced that their respective boards of directors have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to begin working toward a formal affiliation between the two organizations. The affiliation is rooted in the organizations’ shared mission of providing compassionate, high-quality care to those facing serious illness and end-of-life. It aims to enhance service delivery, improve operational efficiencies, and bolster long-term sustainability — all while preserving the unique identities and local operations of both organizations. David Cook, Hosparus Health President and CEO, said, “This formal affiliation is designed to strengthen and improve resiliency for our organizations. Rest assured, we will continue to honor and maintain the distinct identities and local presence that our communities have come to cherish. This affiliation is a testament to our shared commitment to working together and enhancing care for our communities.” “Both Bluegrass Care Navigators and Hosparus Health share a joint mission: to provide exceptional, compassionate, high-quality care to those facing frailty, serious illness and end-of-life,” added Liz Fowler, President and CEO of Bluegrass Care Navigators. “Our long histories of service, innovation, and excellence make this affiliation a natural and exciting next step.” [Click on the title's link to read more.]