Literature Review
CMS memo hints at what hospices can expect under Special Focus Program
10/10/24 at 03:00 AMCMS memo hints at what hospices can expect under Special Focus ProgramMcKnight's Home Care; by Adam Healy; 10/8/24Hospices subjected to Special Focus Program (SFP) scrutiny will undergo frequent surveys, and noncompliant providers may face termination from the Medicare program, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Under the SFP, hospices will receive surveys no less than every six months, and follow-ups may be needed, CMS said in a memo to state hospice survey agencies. Hospices that are found to have condition-level deficiencies will be required to complete appropriate enforcement remedies, which include suspension of payment, civil money penalties, directed plans of correction, directed in-service training or termination, according to CMS’ state operations manual. Hospices that have completed two SFP surveys within 18 months, have zero uncorrected condition-level deficiencies and zero pending immediate jeopardy or condition-level complaints may graduate from the SFP, CMS said. However, any hospice that does not comply with all of CMS’ requirements within the necessary timeframes may be considered for termination.
Letter to health care leaders and stakeholders on impacts of Hurricane Helene from Secretary Becerra
10/10/24 at 03:00 AMLetter to health care leaders and stakeholders on impacts of Hurricane Helene from Secretary BecerraHHS press release; 10/9/24[Contents include]
Is end-of-life care consistent with wishes of patients with dementia?
10/10/24 at 03:00 AMIs end-of-life care consistent with wishes of patients with dementia? Oklahoma University News, Oklahoma City, OK; by April Wilkerson; 10/8/24 Soon after a dementia diagnosis, many people document their preferences for medical care near the end of their lives, often stipulating that they want to avoid hospitalizations and aggressive interventions. A new University of Oklahoma study aims to discover whether the actual care they receive aligns with their preferences. Lee Jennings, M.D., a geriatrician and associate professor in the OU College of Medicine, recently received a $2.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to analyze the end-of-life experiences of about 550 people with dementia, as well as their caregivers. The findings will advance medical knowledge of how best to care for people with an incurable disease that often robs them of their cognition, causes swallowing disorders, and leads to immobility and falls. An estimated 5 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, a number that is expected to increase to 10.5 million over the next 25 years.
Community making strides to reopen Owatonna's Hospice House
10/10/24 at 03:00 AMCommunity making strides to reopen Owatonna's Hospice House Owatonna People's Press, Faribault, MN; by Annie Harman; 10/8/24 ... Allan and Randee Radel smiled as they remembered the days they relied on the Homestead Hospice House to care for Randee’s mother, Kaye Mahlman, during the final days of her life. “It was wonderful. It was good for her, and it was good for the family,” Randee said, looking at the house as visitors strolled inside. ... It has been more than a year since the Hospice House has cared for a patient, but there is movement being made to open the doors once again as a full-service residential hospice care facility. And thanks to the Radels, that dreaming has taken a significant step toward reality. The couple handed over a check this week to the HHH Board to put toward the $850,000 fundraising goal to reopen the house. While the couple has decided they’d rather just call it a “very generous donation,” in lieu of sharing the actual number, those involved in the fundraising efforts are not shy to say with confidence that, thanks to the Radels and others like them, they are making “significant progress” in reaching that goal. ...
Concurrent/simultaneous services from Hospice and a Home and Community Based Services waiver
10/10/24 at 03:00 AMConcurrent/simultaneous services from Hospice and a Home and Community Based Services waiver Media.Alabama.gov; State of Alabama Press Release - Medicaid; 10/8/24 The Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid) updated the policy to allow concurrent services from hospice and a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver. However, it is vital that the hospice and HCBS waiver case manager coordinate to avoid duplication of services. The HCBS waiver person-centered care plan (PCCP) and hospice plan of care (POC) of the recipient should be coordinated between the hospice, HCBS waiver case manager, and the recipient and his/her caregiver. A conference that includes these parties must be held before concurrent services can start. The PCCP/POC conference shall be documented in both the recipient’s hospice and waiver record. The PCCP/POC should specify all concurrent services, the frequency of services, and which entity will provide the service. Each HCBS Waiver service included in the PCCP/POC should have an explanation as to why the service is not covered under hospice. [Click on the title's link for more information.]
Florida health-care workers exhausted as Hurricane Milton approaches
10/10/24 at 02:00 AMFlorida health-care workers exhausted as Hurricane Milton approaches The Washington Post; by David Ovalle and Sabrina Malhi; 10/8/24The storm shutters are up at Stephen Johnson’s house near the water in North Fort Myers, Fla. ... But Jones won’t be home when Hurricane Milton is expected to thunder ashore this week along the Gulf Coast. Instead, the paramedic — like thousands of health-care workers across Florida — intends to ride out the storm at work, then jump into action when the winds die down, the waters recede and people seek medical assistance. ... “It gets stressful. You don’t know if you’re going to come back to a home,” Johnson, 28, of Brewster Ambulance Service, said during a brief break Tuesday after two straight days of organizing evacuations of patients from hospitals and assisted-living facilities across Lee County in southwest Florida while surviving on granola bars and energy drinks. ... By Tuesday afternoon, Florida health officials had deployed nearly 600 ambulances, buses and other transport vehicles to ferry patients out of harm’s way. More than 200 health-care facilities — including 115 assisted-living facilities, 10 hospitals and five hospice providers — have reported evacuations, according to the state’s health department.
USA Power Outage Map: Updated every 15 minutes
10/10/24 at 01:30 AMUnited States Power Outage Tracker: Updates automatically every 15 minutes Retrieved from the internet 10/9/24 As severe weather or blizzards threaten, this database aggregates power outage information from more than 1,000 companies nationwide. It will automatically update every 15 minutes.Companion article: Florida power outage map: Track where power is out as Hurricane Milton approaches landfall. USA Today; by Julia Gomez and C.A. Bridges; 10/9/24 Utility providers were preparing for over a million power outages when Hurricane Milton hits Florida, which comes as the state is still recovering from Hurricane Helene. More than 25,000 outages had already been reported in Florida by 1:15 p.m. ET Wednesday, according to the USA TODAY power outage tracker, with many more expected as Milton approaches landfall late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. [You can follow the latest outage numbers by clicking here.]Editor's note: For all affected by Hurricane Milton--evacuees, first responders, long distance family members and friends, colleagues, businesses, more. Stay informed about power outages in areas impacted by both Milton and Helene. The companion article provides important safety information about downed power lines, reporting outages, and more. (However, access to this text-heavy information assumes the person has power.)
The best bets for palliative care reimbursement post-VBID
10/09/24 at 03:00 AMThe best bets for palliative care reimbursement post-VBID Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/8/24 The hospice component of the value-based insurance design model (VBID) will sunset at the end of this year, but opportunities for payment through Medicare Advantage and other models remain. The hospice component is part of the larger VBID program, which will continue through 2030. The component was designed to test coverage of hospice through Medicare Advantage. It also contained elements intended to expand access to palliative care, for which reimbursement in general is scarce. Hospice News spoke with Dr. Bob Parker, chief clinical officer and chief compliance officer for the Texas-based hospice provider Kindful Health, about the opportunities in place for palliative care providers. [Click on the title's link for this interview.]
[Podcast] Health by law: What should clinicians and students know about the legal landscape of advance care planning?
10/09/24 at 03:00 AM[Podcast] Health by law: What should clinicians and students know about the legal landscape of advance care planning?AMA Journal of Ethics; by Thaddeus M. Pope; 10/7/24Dr Thaddeus M. Pope joins Health By Law to discuss updates to the Uniform Law Commission’s Health-Care Decisions Act.
Ellen McGirt on supporting caregivers at work
10/09/24 at 03:00 AMEllen McGirt on supporting caregivers at work Great Place to Work; by Roula Amire with Ellen McGirt; 10/8/24 This episode of Better features journalist, speaker, and podcast host Ellen McGirt. In this deeply personal conversation, we dive into the challenges of caregiving while balancing a career. ...On how managers can better support caregivers at work: Flexible time off, no questions asked. A flexible schedule can change everything for people. ...On the impact a senior leader can have by talking about caregiving and grief: If a very senior person triggers this conversation in the workplace with a disclosure or concern, you're going to see new training, new conversations, new talking points, and new volunteers, and maybe even new staff positions around this. ...On how colleagues can support coworkers who are caretakers, or members of the sandwich generation: Kindness and compassion go a long way. ...
Couple who volunteers together, shares the same joy
10/09/24 at 03:00 AMCouple who volunteers together, shares the same joy Envision - Greater Fond du Lac, WI; contact Betty Wallerser; 10/7/24 For the past nine years, Matthew Davis, a Green Lake resident, has been spending a good amount of his days volunteering with SSM Health at Home Hospice – Green Lake. “A friend of mine mentioned volunteering for hospice telling me that it was the most rewarding thing he had ever done, so I thought I’d give it a try,” according to Matthew. A handful of stories and memories later, Matthew is still volunteering for SSM Health at Home Hospice – Green Lake. ... In 2023, Matthew’s wife, Becky, also started volunteering for SSM Hospice at Home Hospice in Green Lake. “I always wanted to be a hospice volunteer,” Becky shares. “I worked in physical therapy for 25 years and had a comfort level with patients I knew some people didn’t have. When a close friend of mine passed away on hospice, I knew it was my time to sign up.” Matthew and Becky are one of several couples who volunteer in hospice and are a great asset to the Volunteer Services team, as they both visit with several hospice patients a week.
Hospice of the Chesapeake Golf Tournament raises nearly $225,000
10/09/24 at 03:00 AMHospice of the Chesapeake Golf Tournament raises nearly $225,000 Southern Maryland News Net; 10/7/24 With a long list of sponsors, volunteers and more than 250 golfers to thank for it, Hospice of the Chesapeake’s annual Golf Tournament was a fantastic success. It raised nearly $225,000 for the not-for-profit that serves Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and Prince George’s counties. No doubt the venue and joyful attitude accompanied by food, drinks and giveaways helped to make it another successful year. Held Sept. 26 at Queenstown Harbor Golf Course, the tournament offered hospitality that began with an omelet bar in the morning, shrimp, oysters and bourbon along with grilled lunch at the turn and a gourmet awards banquet to cap off the day.
Today's Encouragement: The greatness of a community ...
10/09/24 at 03:00 AMThe greatness of a community is most accurately measure by the compassionate actions of its members. ~ Coretta Scott King
SBL Hospice Binga raises record amount for endowment
10/09/24 at 03:00 AMSBL Hospice Binga raises record amount for endowment Cromwell Media; by SBL Hospice; 10/8/24 Sarah Bush Lincoln’s Hospice Binga event raised a record amount on September 3, netting more than $33,000 to support the Willow Breeze Hospice House Endowment. Since opening in January, Willow Breeze offers a beautiful home-like atmosphere where skilled care is provided to people in East Central and Southern Illinois to stay during their final days while also offering amenities for their families who visit. Earnings from the endowment help those with limited resources pay for their stay.
Sixty-four Fla.-based healthcare facilities report evacuations
10/09/24 at 03:00 AMSixty-four Fla.-based healthcare facilities report evacuations Healthcare Purchasing News - Regulatory; by Janette Wider; 10/8/24 Ahead of Hurricane Milton the Agency for Health Care Administration initiated an event in the Health Facility Reporting System. ... Health care providers have been requested to provide information on census, available beds, evacuation status, accepting evacuees and generator needs from counties declared under EO-24-114. This information allows AHCA to assist health care providers in transferring patients if needed and ensure that health care providers in impacted areas have the necessary resources and adequate power. 64 health care facilities have reported evacuations. This includes:
Hospices leverage school-based partnerships to strengthen bereavement care
10/09/24 at 03:00 AMHospices leverage school-based partnerships to strengthen bereavement care Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 10/7/24 Some hospices have increasingly recognized the value of collaborating with local educators when it comes to improving community grief support for bereaved children and their families. Establishing collaborative relationships with educational institutions can help hospices ensure that they’re developing age-appropriate grief services, according to Cole Warner, director of support services at North Carolina-based Hospice of Davidson County. The nonprofit provides hospice services across 10 counties in its service area and also offers bereavement and veteran programs. The ability to identify and communicate grief-related emotions ranges across different age groups, and bereavement care teams need to be well-versed on youths’ cognitive capacity, Warner said. This involves having educators weigh in the common challenges that kids experience along their grief journeys. ...
Hospital-at-home care’s future still hangs in the balance
10/09/24 at 03:00 AMHospital-at-home care’s future still hangs in the balance Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 10/7/24 Even with a proven track record for clinical effectiveness and cost savings, the hospital-at-home model’s future hangs in the balance. “The data suggests that, for the populations that have been studied in multiple different places, it’s a very safe service to be done and with high-quality care, low readmission rates, low escalation rates, low infection rates,” Dr. Adam Groff, co-founder Maribel Health, told Home Health Care News. “The bottom line is people love it, patients love it and it’s a high-quality care experience.” ... In 2020, the hospital-at-home model had its breakthrough. Though the model was common internationally, it was considered niche in the U.S. This changed with the introduction of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Acute Hospital Care At Home program. A recent report from CMS found that the program has been largely successful. ... Despite the momentum the model has seen in recent years, challenges still exist when it comes to operations and scalability. Specifically, less than 9% of waiver-approved hospitals accounted for more than 70% of all U.S. admissions, according to data from MedPAC’s June 2024 report to Congress. ...
Still going at 90: Pioneering Jacksonville triathlete Dottie Dorion's life is now a film [Co-found of Community Hospice & Palliative Care in Jacksonville, FL]
10/09/24 at 03:00 AMStill going at 90: Pioneering Jacksonville triathlete Dottie Dorion's life is now a film [Co-found of Community Hospice & Palliative Care in Jacksonville, FL]Jacksonville Florida Times-Union; by Matt Soergel; 10/8/24 ... Dorion's remarkable athletic life is told in a documentary called "Beyond Triathlon," which features her and fellow athlete Celeste Callahan of Denver, each of them pioneering competitors who in midlife decided they would devote themselves to grueling endurance races. ... [Her husband of 63 years,] George Dorion was in hospice care, a cause Dottie has long championed as an advocate for and a co-founder of Community Hospice & Palliative Care — at a time when hospice was a foreign concept to most people in America. She has been involved in numerous causes beyond hospice. She is co-founder of Volunteers in Medicine, a clinic that provides free health care to uninsured working adults and their families. And she's supported sports programs at the University of North Florida, particularly for women athletes; she's set up endowed scholarships there, and there's a fitness center on campus named after her.
How to prepare yourself for death when given a terminal diagnosis
10/09/24 at 02:15 AMHow to prepare yourself for death when given a terminal diagnosis Yahoo!Life; by Kate Ng; 10/8/24 Receiving a terminal diagnosis can be a devastating blow, for the individual and their loved ones. There is no right or wrong way to react to such news, and people respond with all sorts of emotions - from anger and denial, to acceptance and peace. Having a terminal illness can also give a person new perspective. ...
It’s official: How to be a Servant Leader comes down to 6 behaviors, says research
10/09/24 at 02:15 AMIt’s official: How to be a Servant Leader comes down to 6 behaviors, Says Research The best leadership philosophy in the world, simplified to its most basic tenets. Inc.com; by Marcel Schwantes; 10/4/24 Workplace culture became a critical business topic a decade ago, with more executives and HR leaders recognizing that shared values and behaviors drive engagement, innovation, and performance. Building a strong culture, however, requires visionary leadership. One framework I’ve been using to develop leaders in my coaching and training practice is based on the seminal research of organizational leadership scholar Dr. Jim Laub. Laub identified six key leadership behaviors essential to fostering a thriving culture. These behaviors are rooted in the principles of Servant Leadership, a people-centric approach where leaders prioritize serving others, creating environments of trust, engagement, and productivity. ...
Newsweek: America's Best Nursing Homes 2025
10/09/24 at 02:00 AMNewsweek: America's Best Nursing Homes 2025 Newsweek; introduction by Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief; 10/8/24 ... This year's list recognizes 1,050 nursing homes across the 25 states with the highest number of facilities, according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data. The top nursing homes in each state were assessed and ranked based on four pillars: performance data, recommendations of medical professionals, accreditations and resident satisfaction.Editor's note: To access lists, click on the title's link and scroll down to select "... 50-99 beds," "... 100-149 beds," "... 150+ beds." Results are ranked and organized by state.
'Trying not to cry:' Helene's wrath sets new normal in battered western North Carolina town
10/09/24 at 02:00 AM'Trying not to cry:' Helene's wrath sets new normal in battered western North Carolina townCBS WBTW-13, Florence, SC; by Adrianna Lawrence; 10/8/24 Kyle Katona has lived through his share of hurricanes. But nothing could ready him for the wrath Helene unleashed across the idyllic valleys of western North Carolina. "I've never seen the amount of devastation that Hurricane Helene caused in the mountains," the Four Seasons hospice store driver said. He wasn't alone. "I don't think anybody was prepared for the level of catastrophe that was going to occur," said Rikki Hooper, Four Seasons' clinical operations officer. Traumatized residents awoke to the sound of water coursing into their homes before the sun came up -- taking everything and, in some heartbreaking instances, everyone, with it. "Nobody should have to go through this," said Polk County residents Pixie and Deena Moore said. Discolored tree lines 10 to 20 feet high in some places peppered the landscape amid rows of utility vehi cles and overturned cars caked in debris were stark reminders of Helene's total destruction. At Lake Lure -- a beloved vacation spot minutes from Chimney Rock -- mud stands in for where water once flowed. Instead, officials and first responders were providing medical treatment. Military helicopters flicked across the sky and bulldozers cleared out areas. If it sounds like a warzone, that's because it was as close as it could be to one, Pixie Moore said. Editor's note: Click here to donate directly to Four Seasons' hurricance relief needs; or Amazon Wish List. Click here for our 10/2 interview with TCN leaders with Four Seasons about Helene's devastation and hospice needs.
World Hospice & Palliative Care Day - Saturday October 12, 2024
10/08/24 at 03:00 AMWorld Hospice & Palliative Care Day - Saturday October 12, 2024 WHPCA - Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance; webpage retrieved 10/7/24 World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is an annual unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world. WHPCD has been marked every year for the last 20 years. Join us on Saturday 12 October to advocate for better hospice and palliative care services around the world. The WHPCD theme for 2024:Ten Years Since the Resolution: How are we doing? The year 2024 marks 10 years since the World Health Assembly (WHO’s Governing Body) passed the only stand-alone resolution on palliative care, calling for all countries to “strengthen palliative care as a component of comprehensive care throughout the life course.” This is what inspired the theme for 2024. [Click on the title's link for this article and to download a wealth of resources.]
Today's Encouragement: October is ...
10/08/24 at 03:00 AMOctober is a symphony of permanence and change. ~ Bonaro W. Overstreet
Gallery brings creativity to hospice care
10/08/24 at 03:00 AMGallery brings creativity to hospice care BBC News, United Kingdom; Joshua Askew; 10/6/24 A Kent gallery has partnered with a local hospice to bring creative activities and the enjoyment of art to hospice patients. The Turner Contemporary, in Margate, is holding the "Look Club" where those living with life-limiting illnesses can explore ideas and questions around exhibitions with its team. Brian Hodgson, 77, from Broadstairs, who was referred to the hospice by his neurologist, described it as "a special and emotional experience to be there with an artist, listening to them talk about their work". Pilgrims Hospices also hosts "Living Well" sessions, offering patients and their families social, creative, and educational activities. By working together, Turner Contemporary said the pair were showing the "transformative power of art in healthcare settings." It said giving patients opportunities for creative expression, social interaction and personal growth could help break the stigma around hospices being solely places for end-of-life care.