Literature Review
Family caregiver communication and perceptions of involvement in hospice care
02/03/24 at 03:25 AMFamily caregiver communication and perceptions of involvement in hospice careJournal of Palliative Medicine, by Archana Bharadwaj, Debra Parker Oliver, Karla T. Washington, Jacquelyn Benson, Kyle Pitzer, Patrick White, George Demiris; 1/24/24The burden of caregiving for family members is significant and becomes particularly challenging at end of life, with negative effects on mental health, including anxiety and depression. Research has shown caregivers need better communication with their health care team. Caregiver-centered communication was positively associated with perceptions of involvement in care.
Specialist palliative care use and end-of-life care in patients with metastatic cancer
02/03/24 at 03:20 AMSpecialist palliative care use and end-of-life care in patients with metastatic cancerJournal of Pain and Symptom Management, by May Hua MD, MS; Ling Guo MS; Caleb Ing MD, MS; Deven Lackraj MPH; Shuang Wang PhD; R. Sean Morrison MD; 1/24/24For patients with advanced cancer, high intensity treatment at the end of life is measured as a reflection of the quality of care. Use of specialist palliative care has been promoted to improve care quality, but whether its use is associated with decreased treatment intensity on a population-level is unknown. On a population-level, use of specialist palliative care was associated with improved metrics for quality end-of-life care for patients dying with metastatic cancer, underscoring the importance of its integration into cancer care.
Cost and utilization implications of a health plan's home-based palliative care program
02/03/24 at 03:15 AMCost and utilization implications of a health plan's home-based palliative care programJournal of Palliative Medicine, by Kimberly A. Bower, Jenelle Hallock, Xiaoli Li, Tyler Kent, Liane Wardlow; 1/25/24A California-based health plan offered home-based palliative care (HBPC) to members who needed support at home but did not yet qualify for hospice. Although individuals in both groups were living with serious illnesses for which worsening health and increased acute care utilization are expected over time, both groups had reduced acute care utilization and costs during the study period compared with the prestudy period. Reduced utilization and costs were equivalent for both groups.
Healthcare contact days among older adults living with dementia
02/03/24 at 03:10 AMHealthcare contact days among older adults living with dementiaJournal of the American Geriatrics Society, by Emma D. Chant PhD; Christine S. Ritchie MD, MSPH; E. John Orav PhD; Ishani Ganguli MD, MPH; 1/23/24For older adults with dementia and their care partners, accessing health care outside the home involves substantial time, direct and indirect costs, and other burdens. While prior studies have estimated days spent by these individuals in or out of hospitals and nursing homes, ambulatory care burdens are likely substantial yet poorly understand. Therefore, we characterized “health care contact days”—days spent receiving ambulatory or institutional care—in this population. Older adults with dementia spent 31 days a year accessing care which was mostly ambulatory.Publisher's note: Also see Health care contact days among older adults in Traditional Medicare.
Health care contact days among older adults in Traditional Medicare
02/03/24 at 03:05 AMHealth care contact days among older adults in Traditional MedicareAnnals of Internal Medicine, by Ishani Ganguli, MD, MPH; Emma D. Chant, PhD; E. John Orav, PhD; Ateev Mehrotra, MD, MPH; Christine S. Ritchie, MD, MSPH; 1/23/24Days spent obtaining health care outside the home can represent not only access to needed care but also substantial time, effort, and cost, especially for older adults and their care partners. Yet, these “health care contact days” have not been characterized. On average, older adults spent 3 weeks in the year getting care outside the home. These contact days were mostly ambulatory and varied widely not only by number of chronic conditions but also by sociodemographic factors, geography, and care-seeking behaviors.Publisher's note: Also see Healthcare contact days among older adults living with dementia.
Saturday Newsletters
02/03/24 at 03:00 AMSaturday NewslettersResearch literature is the focus of Saturday newsletters - enjoy!
Global cancer burden growing, amidst mounting need for services
02/02/24 at 04:04 AMGlobal cancer burden growing, amidst mounting need for services World Health Organization; 2/1/24Ahead of World Cancer Day, the World Health Organization (WHO)’s cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), released the latest estimates of the global burden of cancer. ... Three major cancer types in 2022: lung, breast and colorectal cancers
Alternative therapies for pain management in senior care
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMAlternative therapies for pain management in senior careMedCity News, by Bent Philipson; by 1/30/24Chronic pain, an enduring concern for many older adults, is no longer confined to the traditional realm of pharmaceuticals. While traditional pain management methods like medication were once the go-to approach, alternative therapies are emerging as a viable and holistic approach to addressing this issue.
Hospices struggle to balance costs, patient needs in medication deprescribing
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMHospices struggle to balance costs, patient needs in medication deprescribingHospice News, by Jim Parker; 1/30/24When deprescribing medications for hospice patients, providers have to navigate a complex web of factors. But according to some clinicians, the prospect of cost savings often takes precedence over clinical outcomes. Medication costs are among hospices’ biggest expenses, and deprescribing some medications deemed “curative” or “unrelated” to the patient’s terminal diagnosis is a standard practice. However, even in the context of providing comfort care at the end of life, many patients do not receive medications that could benefit them, including those for pain management.
Timely dementia diagnosis, specialized long-term care limited for members of minority groups: study
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMTimely dementia diagnosis, specialized long-term care limited for members of minority groups: studyMcKnights Senior Living, by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 2/1/24Researchers from University of California-Davis Health and Oregon Health & Science University said that members of minority groups fall victim to systemic oppression that leads to a higher risk of hospitalization and more aggressive life-sustaining treatment in end-of-life care. Their research, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, analyzed 71 studies between 2000 and 2022 that examined healthcare access and quality for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Today's Encouragement: from Shirley Chisolm
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMIf they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. – Shirley Chisholm
Nurses' encounters with patients having end-of-life dreams and visions in an acute care setting - A cross-sectional survey study
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMNurses' encounters with patients having end-of-life dreams and visions in an acute care setting - A cross-sectional survey studyJ Adv Nurse, by Alison Hession, Tim Luckett, David Currow, Michael Barbato; 1/31/24Results: Fifty-seven nurses participated from a workforce of 169 (34% response rate), of whom 35 (61%) reported they had encountered end-of-life dreams and visions. The nature of end-of-life dreams and visions encountered was similar to those reported in previous studies by patients and clinicians. Nurses generally held positive attitudes towards end-of-life dreams and visions but identified an unmet need for education and training on this aspect of end-of-life care.Editor's Note: This research was in Australia, yet has global applications. For U.S. leaders, call on your chaplains, many of whom are trained pastoral counselors to sensitively support and explore patient's "dreams and visions," in non-manipulative ways.
Hospitals serving Black & Hispanic populations lack cancer resources
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMHospitals serving Black & Hispanic populations lack cancer resourcesOncology Times, by Sarah DiGiulio; 2/1/24Hospitals across the U.S. that treat the highest number of Black and Hispanic patients have significantly lower odds of offering key cancer services, such as PET/CT scanning, robotic surgery, and palliative care, than other hospitals. That was the top finding from recent research published in JAMA Oncology.
New Braunfels Hope Hospice veteran and wife reunited with son, who lives in Japan
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMNew Braunfels Hope Hospice veteran and wife reunited with son, who lives in JapanThe Herald-Zeitung, by Erica Wilson; 1/31/24Hope Hospice’s recent partnership with the nonprofit Luke’s Wings made this long-awaited reunion possible. Hope Hospice covers a 50-mile radius from New Braunfels, providing hospice care and community grief services. Luke’s Wings is based in Washington, D.C. and provides emergency travel planning services and airplane tickets for families of wounded or ill service members, veterans and fallen officers.Editor's Note: Click here for Luke's Wings website.
What the mental health crisis may be missing: Spirituality as a tool
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMWhat the mental health crisis may be missing: Spirituality as a tool Forbes, by Nicole F. Roberts; 1/31/24 It is estimated that approximately one in four people globally will experience mental illness during their lives, with about one billion individuals facing mental health disorders at any given time ... [such as] anxiety, depression, loneliness or some other diagnosable illness. ... Despite most people believing in both science and a form of spirituality there are fundamental differences in how and why people seek the care they do, and how and why they adhere to recommended treatment plans as they do. And much of those decisions is based on beliefs.
The power of the patient’s voice: Enhancing end-of-life care
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMThe power of the patient’s voice: Enhancing end-of-life careMedriva, by Ayanna Amadi; 1/31/24End-of-life care is a delicate and complex area of healthcare, requiring a balanced blend of clinical expertise, emotional sensitivity, and communication skills. The End-of-Life Essentials team at Flinders University has created a stirring video titled ‘The Patient’s Perspective,’ focusing on the importance of patient input in improving end-of-life care. The video presents a moving narrative from the vantage point of a patient dealing with serious illness, highlighting the profound impact of healthcare staff interactions.
Tips for caring for loved ones at the end of their life
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMTips for caring for loved ones at the end of their life CBC Life, by Caitlin Stall-Paquet; 1/30/24Palliative care experts on how to comfort a dying person and prepare yourself for the supportive role. ...
Poynter’s Tom Jones renders a nuanced verdict on Kevin Cullen’s ethical lapse
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMPoynter’s Tom Jones renders a nuanced verdict on Kevin Cullen’s ethical lapseMedia Nation, by Dan Kennedy; 1/31/24Poynter media columnist Tom Jones has weighed in with a lengthy commentary about Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen’s decision to sign a legally required form that a terminally ill woman needed in order to proceed with her physician-assisted suicide — a story that he was reporting on, and that was published by the Globe last Friday.
Hospital staff fulfills hospice patient's final wish to attend son's wedding
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMHospital staff fulfills hospice patient's final wish to attend son's weddingNBC 10 News; 1/31/24A hospice patient in Fall River was able to attend his son's wedding, thanks to the help of some healthcare workers. The wedding was held inside of Charlton Memorial Hospital's chapel on Wednesday. Staff said it was patient John's last wish to see his son get married.
Hospice dog in Leonberg: Golden retriever Jamie provides comfort to the dying
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMHospice dog in Leonberg: Golden retriever Jamie provides comfort to the dying Lofta; 1/30/24A quick smile – Golden Retriever Jamie gives dying people a valuable moment of lightness through his mere presence. He is a visiting dog at the Leonberg hospice. ...
Other Business Headlines of Interest, updated 2/1/24 per nasdaq.com
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMOther Business Headlines of Interest, updated 2/1/24 per nasdaq.com
St Christopher's Hospice opens new charity shops in Dulwich amid community support
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMSt Christopher's Hospice opens new charity shops in Dulwich amid community supportBNN, by Momen Zellmi; 2/1/24St Christopher’s Hospice has celebrated the grand opening of three charity shops in Dulwich, leading to a record-breaking fundraising year. ... The new Croxted Road store alone brought in over £20,000 within its first six weeks.Editor's Note: St Christopher's Hospice was founded by Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of our contempory hospice movement: “You matter because you are you and you matter until the last moment of your life.”
VR relaxation therapy could be important tool for palliative care, study shows
02/02/24 at 03:55 AMVR relaxation therapy could be important tool for palliative care, study showsMcKnights Senior Living, by Aaron Dorman; 2/1/24Virtual reality has been gaining traction as an option for filling care and therapy gaps within senior living. But could VR even be a superior option for therapy, compared to “real-life” approaches? One new study makes this bold claim, and offers both normative and analytical evidence for why this may be the case.
The case for palliative care in the ICU
02/02/24 at 03:55 AMThe case for palliative care in the ICU Hospice News, by Rachel Edwards; 1/31/24An intensive care unit (ICU) stay often challenges everyone involved. Integrating palliative care could alleviate some of the suffering through symptom management, improved communication about goals and treatment, and better training and resources for staff. As ICU admissions in the final year of life become increasingly common, the need for better holistic critical care is growing.