Literature Review



Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties receives $10,000 donation from Elan Charitable Giving Program

02/04/25 at 03:00 AM

Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties receives $10,000 donation from Elan Charitable Giving Program Mid-Hudson News; 1/31/25 Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties has received a $10,000 donation from the Elan Charitable Giving Program. This contribution is part of Elan Credit Card’s nationwide philanthropic initiative, which has awarded $250,000 to 25 community organizations across the country. 

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Oncologists overtreat patients at end of life: “There’s a real deficit in our training”

02/04/25 at 03:00 AM

Oncologists overtreat patients at end of life: “There’s a real deficit in our training”Oncology News Central; by Nathan I. Cherny, Robert A. Figlin; 1/29/25When it comes to end-of-life care for patients with cancer, “I think that there is a real deficit in our training,” says Nathan I. Cherny, MD, director of the Cancer Pain and Palliative Medicine Unit at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel. Dr. Cherney and colleagues recently examined factors contributing to oncologists overtreating patients at the end of life. He discusses key findings and ways to address this continued problem with Robert A. Figlin, MD, the Steven Spielberg Family Chair in Hematology-Oncology at the Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center in Los Angeles. “When one reads practice guidelines, they never include a section of when further treatment is more likely to be harmful than helpful,” Dr. Cherny notes. “Unless it appears in every illness guideline, the message does not necessarily get through that this is something that is really important.”

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Carolina Caring receives a $975,000 grant from The Duke Endowment

02/04/25 at 03:00 AM

Carolina Caring receives a $975,000 grant from The Duke Endowment Carolina Caring; Press Release; 1/29/25 We are excited to announce that Carolina Caring, through the work of Carolina Caring Foundation, has received a $975,000 grant from The Duke Endowment to fund a palliative care pilot program developed in partnership with CaroNova, a nonprofit health transformation catalyst serving North and South Carolina. Combining strategy and solutions to accelerate the future of an affordable, equitable, and effective system of health for all Carolinians, CaroNova works with partners across the Carolinas to drive reforms. The Endowment grant is one of the highest grant amounts Carolina Caring has received in organizational history. The grant will be distributed over two years:  $375,000 in 2025 and $600,000 in 2026. 

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Health workforce issues and challenges in the post-pandemic era

02/04/25 at 03:00 AM

Health workforce issues and challenges in the post-pandemic eraHealth Affairs Scholar; by David Armstrong; 1/25The health workforce is an essential component of our health care delivery system. A well-trained, sufficiently sized, and diverse workforce is critical to meet the health care needs of the population. However, in this postpandemic era, many challenges persist. The following introduction describes a special collection of papers that address several key issues confronting the health workforce. It provides an overview of each article in the collection, highlighting their relevance to current workforce challenges. Each article in this series was developed by 1 of the 9 federally funded Health Workforce Research Centers.

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Tracing value from social determinant solutions

02/04/25 at 03:00 AM

Tracing value from social determinant solutionsHealth Affairs Scholar; by Len M Nichols, Timothy A Waidman, Lisa Clemans-Cope, Bowen Garrett, Kima Taylor; 1/25We develop and illustrate a framework to trace value from social determinants of health (SDOH) interventions across 4 dimensions: health, cost and quality, engagement, and equity... Prior research frequently overlooks non-healthcare savings, concluding that interventions “don’t pay for themselves.” In contrast, our findings show that when all beneficiaries are considered, many SDOH interventions yield a net positive value. Recognizing the public good nature of SDOH interventions is essential for reaching accurate policy conclusions.

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Home health operator sentenced to 12 years in prison for $100M fraud scheme

02/04/25 at 03:00 AM

Home health operator sentenced to 12 years in prison for $100M fraud schemeHome Health Care News; by Audrie Martin; 1/27/25A Westford, Massachusetts woman was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of a $100 million home health care fraud. Faith Newton, former operator of Chelmsford, Massachusetts-based Arbor Homecare Services LLC, was sentenced in federal court to 12 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a fine of $250,000 and restitution of more than $99.7 million. In July 2024, Newton was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, one count of health care fraud and three counts of money laundering. The jury found the defendant not guilty on one count of money laundering conspiracy. Newton was arrested and charged along with co-defendant Winnie Waruru in February 2021.

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Organic growth top of mind for hospice providers in 2025

02/04/25 at 02:30 AM

Organic growth top of mind for hospice providers in 2025Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 1/31/25 Hospices in 2025 are laser-focused on organic growth rather than other tactics like acquisitions. Among 112 hospice professionals who responded to the 2024 Outlook Survey by Hospice News and Homecare Homebase, 60% said that expanding current locations would be the growth tactic they plan to use the most during 2025. About 64% of the respondents were c-suite leaders, VPs and directors. “Organic growth remains a top priority for providers, with 60% of respondents focusing on expanding within their existing locations,” the survey report indicated. “Referrals from senior living and assisted living facilities, hospital systems and palliative care programs are also expected to significantly drive growth.”

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New report details hospice industry outlook for 2025

02/04/25 at 02:00 AM

New report details hospice industry outlook for 2025 PR Newswire, Cleveland, OH; by WTWH Media; 1/30/25 Hospice News, a WTWH Media publication, is pleased to announce the results of its annual outlook survey on the state of the hospice and palliative care markets. Conducted in collaboration with home-based care EHR leader Homecare Homebase, the survey compiles the views of more than 100 industry professionals to uncover the key factors defining the hospice landscape in 2025. Responses come from a range of provider representatives, including owners, operators, C-suite executives, managers and staff. In summary, respondents indicated:

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Father keeping a promise to son to 'never miss a baseball game' despite entering hospice

02/03/25 at 03:30 AM

Father keeping a promise to son to 'never miss a baseball game' despite entering hospice Fox 13 - Tampa Bay, FL; by Briona Arradondo; 1/30/25 A father diagnosed with cancer left hospice Thursday to spend the evening making final memories with his family on a baseball diamond in Tampa. Family and friends surrounded Steve Uhal and his wife Amy with love and support as he arrived to see his 9-year-old son Charlie play one last game.  ... 

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Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic School gives back to community

02/03/25 at 03:05 AM

Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic School gives back to community ABC WJCL 22 - Savannah, GA; by Dave Williams; 1/30/25 A Wilmington Island Catholic school continued its tradition of giving back to the community. ... It’s part of the school’s annual SOCCKS Day, or Serving Our Community Catholic Kids Style. “It makes you want to help out others more because you like the feeling of makes you feel good when you can help other people," said Parker Ditommaso, a Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic School eighth grader. ... Each grade level at the school chose a certain charity to help. Among those charities, Ronald McDonald House, the Humane Society and Hospice of Savannah.

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Arizona couple pleads guilty to $1.2B health care fraud

02/03/25 at 03:00 AM

Arizona couple pleads guilty to $1.2B health care fraud Office of Public Affairs - U.S. Department of Justice; Press Release; 1/31/25 An Arizona couple pleaded guilty for causing over $1.2 billion of false and fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicare and other health insurance programs for expensive, medically unnecessary wound grafts that were applied to elderly and terminally ill patients. According to court documents, Alexandra Gehrke, 39, and her husband, Jeffrey King, 46, both of Phoenix, conspired with others to orchestrate the massive scheme. Gehrke ran two companies, Apex Medical LLC and Viking Medical Consultants LLC, that contracted with medically untrained “sales representatives” to locate elderly patients, including hospice patients, who had wounds at any stage and order amniotic wound grafts from a specific graft distributor. 

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High reliability in action — a closer look at Unit-Based Quality Rounds

02/03/25 at 03:00 AM

High reliability in action — a closer look at Unit-Based Quality Rounds Mass General Brigham; 1/7/25 ... “We’re creating a new process and I’m so proud of all of you because what you have accomplished so far has been amazing,” Nursing Director Vivian Donahue, RN, said at the opening of the huddle with just over 20 physicians, nurses, advance practice providers (APPs), unit staff and hospital and system senior leaders in attendance, including Thor Sundt, MD, chief of Cardiac Surgery for Mass General Brigham. ... At the unit’s first huddle in October, a conversation about the availability of hospice care generated a new referral process that connects patients receiving end-of-life care and their families to hospice services and ongoing emotional support for those coping with the passing of a loved one. At the Dec. 11 huddle, Donahue reported that the unit had provided this welcome, deeply appreciated additional support to five patients and their families.

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Awards and Recognitions: January 2025

02/03/25 at 03:00 AM

Awards and Recognitions - January 2025

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Paula's Donuts is trying out new flavors for a good cause

02/03/25 at 03:00 AM

Paula's Donuts is trying out new flavors for a good cause NBC WGRZ 2, Buffalo, NY; by Tommy Gallagher; 1/29/25 People in Cheektowaga had the chance to try out Paula's Donuts' newest flavors for a good cause. Paula's teamed up with Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo to find this year's hospice spring bouquet sale doughnut. For one week in March, customers will be able to purchase the officially crowned hospice spring bouquet sale doughnut, as well as flower bouquets, to raise money for individuals suffering from serious illness as well as their families and caregivers.

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N.J. actor from ‘Lassie’ and ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ dies at 91

02/03/25 at 03:00 AM

N.J. actor from ‘Lassie’ and ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ dies at 91 NJ.com; by Amy Kuperinsky; 1/24/25 Jack De Mave, a New Jersey native who enjoyed an acting career of more than 40 years, has died. On TV, De Mave, 91, was known for his roles in shows like “Lassie” during the 1960s and ’70s, as well as for portraying The Lone Ranger in commercials for Frito-Lay. The actor, who was in hospice care in Macon, Georgia, died Jan. 16 after he had a heart attack on Thanksgiving, per The Hollywood Reporter.

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Baptist Health announces joint venture to enhance home health services

02/03/25 at 03:00 AM

Baptist Health announces joint venture to enhance home health services Lane Report, Louisville, KY; 1/31/25 To further expand the delivery of high-quality care to a growing population, Baptist Health announced a joint venture with national home health leader Alternate Solutions Health Network (ASHN) to enhance services across Kentucky, southern Indiana and southern Illinois. Effective March 3, the joint venture will be owned by Baptist Health and ASHN and will continue operating as Baptist Health Home Care. 

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Palliative care slashes ED visits, hospitalizations in people living at home with dementia: study

02/03/25 at 03:00 AM

Palliative care slashes ED visits, hospitalizations in people living at home with dementia: study McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Kristen Fischer; 1/30/25 A program that provides palliative care to people with dementia and their caregivers lowered the number of emergency department visits and hospitalizations by approximately half in about a year, a new study shows. Those who benefitted the most from the Indiana Palliative Excellence in Alzheimer Care Efforts (IN-PEACE) initiative were Black people and those with lower incomes. A report detailing the findings was published in JAMA ... The 50% decrease in emergency department visits and hospitalizations among people who received the intervention shows that the program can keep some people with dementia out of the hospital, where they can develop complications and functional declines.

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Today's Encouragement: There were times when ...

02/03/25 at 03:00 AM

There were times when it would have been easy to fall apart or to go in the opposite direction, but somehow I felt that if I took one more step, someone would come along to join me. ~ Rosa Parks Honoring Black History Month 2025

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Sons of the American Legion donates $14K to hospice house

02/03/25 at 03:00 AM

Sons of the American Legion donates $14K to Hospice HouseOwatonna People's Press, Owatonna, MN; 1/29/25 On Saturday, Jan. 18, the Owatonna Sons of the American Legion presented their donation of $14,063 to members of the Homestead Hospice House Board. This generous donation was made possible by raising the proceeds from their 2024 raffle ticket sales and a match in proceeds from the Owatonna Legion Post members. Kasy Kamholz stated that the Homestead Hospice House is nearly ready to open as they have met their fundraising goals. He stated that they are currently negotiating the final details on a contract with Seasons Hospice out of Rochester. 

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Hospice volunteers lend a hand at Yesterday’s Treasures, raising over $19,000 for Hunterdon Hospice

02/03/25 at 02:30 AM

Hospice volunteers lend a aand at Yesterday’s Treasures, raising over $19,000 for Hunterdon Hospice TAP into Phillipsburg, New Providence, NJ; by Hunterdon Health; 2/1/25 This past holiday season, hospice volunteers generously gave their time to assist in Yesterday’s Treasures, Hunterdon Health Foundation’s upscale re-sale shop. ... To thank them for their dedication, the Hunterdon Health Foundation donated the proceeds from their time—over $19,000—back to hospice programs. These funds will help ensure that patients and their families continue to receive the compassionate care they rely on. 

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Follow-up: Helene and hospice care in the western North Carolina mountains

02/03/25 at 02:15 AM

Followup: Helene and hospice care in the western North Carolina mountains Hospice & Palliative Care Today; summary from a meeting between Vern Grindstaff (CEO, Compassionate Care Western North Carolina), Chris Comeaux and Tina Gentry (Teleios Collaborative Network), Cordt Kassner and Joy Berger (this newsletter); 1/28/25 Hospice recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina's mountains have been massive, with extensive longterm needs ahead. Vern Grindstaff, CEO of Compassionate Care Western North Carolina described the "new normal" they are experiencing.  Photos of this hospice and its service vividly demonstrated the state before, soon after flood waters receded, and current recovery status. Key topics included unthinkable patient care challenges with practical, creative solutions, financial implications amounting to a $350,000 deficit for repairs, and the trauma experienced by staff—both professionally and personally. Discussions highlighted the importance of long-term recovery strategies, including the involvement of larger trusts for sustained funding, while also recognizing community support efforts by organizations like Cajun Navy and Samaritan's Purse. Additionally, Chris Comeaux is presenting to hospice organizations about Emergency Disaster Management, equipping leaders to learn from this tragedy. Editor's note: Click here (or the title's link) for a map of Compassionate Care Western North Carolina's service area (CCWNC). Click here to donate to their ongoing recovery. We thank our readers for your previous support to this other hospices affected by emergency disasters. Additional resources: CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule; Wisconsin's CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule Toolkit: Hospices; "Community Crisis and Grief" public service education, designed for hospice organizations. Disclosure: CCWNC is member of Teleios Collaborative Network and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation, both sponsors for our newsletter. "Community Crisis and Grief" is from our sponsor Composing Life Out of Loss.

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Special Series: Betty Ferrell

02/03/25 at 02:00 AM

Special Series: Betty Ferrell Journal of Pain and Symptom Management; 1/25, reposted in our newsletter from our Saturday Research Issue, 2/1/25 [A wonderful collection of articles honoring Betty Ferrell, including:]

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Leading nursing facility cuts turnover by 50% with DailyPay Benefit for employees

02/03/25 at 02:00 AM

Leading nursing facility cuts turnover by 50% with DailyPay Benefit for employees HealthCareDive, New York; Press Release from DailyPay; 1/30/25 The Springs Arkansas, the leading skilled nursing provider across Arkansas, is celebrating three years of partnership with DailyPay – a worktech platform and leading provider of earned wage access. Throughout this partnership, The Springs Arkansas is empowering employees with the ability to access their earned pay on their own timeline. ... Since implementing DailyPay into their benefits offerings, they have seen a 74% participation rate, and in 2024 reduced turnover by 50%. Headquartered in Little Rock, AR, The Springs Arkansas operates over 20 skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, offering a wide range of care services, including skilled rehab, long-term care, memory care, and hospice care. ... The Springs Arkansas introduced DailyPay in January 2022 to better support its dedicated workforce. 

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Best small footprint design of 2024: PACE Center with homelike charm

02/02/25 at 03:55 AM

Best small footprint design of 2024: PACE Center with homelike charm Senior Housing News; by Andrew Christman; 1/27/25 Healthcare and social connections blend seamlessly in a new Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) location in Winchester, Virginia. The organization behind the project, Blue Ridge, was inspired by the “community village” concept in its new concept, which is a PACE center that conjures a more homelike than clinical atmosphere. The program resides within a compact footprint of 15,540 square feet, according to SueAnn Myers, executive director and project lead for Blue Ridge Independence at Home. Prioritizing accessibility and ease of movement, the location features wide hallways, ramps and “thoughtfully placed” handrails. Recessed carpets reduce issues for visitors with wheelchairs and the building features a warm contemporary aesthetic that draws inspiration from the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Blue Ridge Independence at Home’s PACE center design in a small package snagged it the top spot in the small footprint category of the 2024 Senior Housing News Architecture and Design Awards.

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Caring for a dying spouse at the end of life

02/02/25 at 03:50 AM

Caring for a dying spouse at the end of life Inspiyr; 1/25/25 ... In this article, we will explore the various aspects of caring for a dying spouse, including trends, common concerns, and expert insights. Trends in Caring for a Dying Spouse:

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