Literature Review

Healthcare 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.

Saturday NewslettersResearch literature is the focus of Saturday newsletters - enjoy!

Alternative 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.

Timely 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.

Nurses' 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.

New 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.

The 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.

Poynter’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.

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Other Business Headlines of Interest, updated 2/1/24 per nasdaq.com

VR 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.

Patty and Jay Baker reinforce palliative care at Mount Sinai: A significant stride towards enhanced patient care and medical trainingMedriva, by Zara Nwosu; 1/31/24The partnership between Patty and Jay Baker and Mount Sinai is much more than a financial investment. It represents a significant step forward in the advancement of palliative care. By focusing on both patient care and medical training, this initiative addresses the needs of the healthcare system from multiple angles. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of care, from diagnosis to treatment, are improved.

Four Seasons Home Care named 6th in nationFour Seasons press release; 2/1/24The Top 100 Leader in Experience Award is the highest recognition awarded by Home Care Pulse (HCP) and is only awarded to 100 home care businesses in North America. Recipients must consistently rank among the very highest in 10 or more quality metrics. As a Top 100 Leader in Experience Award recipient, Four Seasons Home Care is recognized among the very best home care providers participating in the nationwide HCP Experience Management Program.