Literature Review



Executive Personnel Changes - 7/19/24

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

Executive Personnel Changes - 7/19/24

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Hospice gets huge response as it finds Tad a new home

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

Hospice gets huge response as it finds Tad a new home Beatrice Daily Sun; by Christina Lyons; 7/17/24 When the Cottonwood Hospice team wrote a Facebook post about a patient’s dog that needed to be rehomed, they were not expecting the overwhelming response they received. Owner Anni Paulmeyer said Katie Genrich, a hospice nurse, had come to her with concern for a patient who needed to rehome a dog because of declining health. ... Genrich said her patient had found the white Swiss shepherd when he was a year to 2 years of age. He named him Tad because he always said “the dog was a tad much when he was younger.” The patient cared for Tad for about nine years, but due to declining health and the need to move to a nursing facility, wanted to rehome Tad. Paulmeyer wrote a Facebook post and asked people to share the post. “A day or so later the post had been shared 2,800 times. ..."

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Why CommonSpirit Health is investing in the home

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

Why CommonSpirit Health is investing in the home Becker's Helath IT; by Giles Bruce; 7/18/24 Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health has grown into the country’s largest Catholic provider of care at home. ... Becker's recently sat down with Trisha Crissman, interim executive director of CommonSpirit Health at Home, to discuss the metamorphosis of at-home care. ... [In 2010] ... we established hospice as another service line for the organization. ... And that brings us to where we find ourselves today — as the largest Catholic care-at-home provider in the country, with 84 locations and soon to be about 15 states, serving about 15,000 patients daily, with skilled home healthcare, hospice, palliative care, home infusion. We have many solution models, including "hospital at home," SNF [skilled nursing facility] at home, and ED [emergency department] diversion solutions.

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Kindred and related entities agree to pay $19.428M to settle federal and state false claims act lawsuits alleging ineligible claims for hospice patients

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

Kindred and related entities agree to pay $19.428M to settle federal and state false claims act lawsuits alleging ineligible claims for hospice patients U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Public Affairs; Press Release; 7/17/24 Gentiva, successor to Kindred at Home, has agreed to pay $19.428 million to resolve allegations that Kindred at Home and related entities (Kindred) knowingly submitted false claims and knowingly retained overpayments for hospice services provided to patients who were ineligible to receive hospice benefits under various federal health care programs. Gentiva’s hospice operations, headquartered in Atlanta, include entities that previously operated Kindred at Home hospice locations under the names Avalon, Kindred, SouthernCare and SouthernCare New Beacon. [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

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Risky business: Home sweet home or nursing home?

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

Risky business: Home sweet home or nursing home? American Nurse - Perspectives; by Christopher Hirschler, PhD, MCHES; 7/18/24 In 2018, “Nursing homes: Good intentions, sad realities” chronicled Rita Hirschler’s experience in a nursing home after decades of being a private care nurse. In response to the ideas espoused in the article, namely that a person has a right to live and die in their home and risks are unavoidable whether one lives at home or in a nursing home, a commentator asked, “What is the solution?” ... According to the Center for Medicare Advocacy and Lu and Lu, ownership and sponsorship type have been shown to significantly impact the quality of care in nursing homes, with for-profits generally having lower staffing levels and poorer patient outcomes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Meyer, and KFF Health News say for-profit nursing homes now account for approximately 72% of the more than 15,000 U.S. nursing homes, and they provide varying levels of care to 1.3 million residents. 

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Senior living and care on track to set mergers and acquisitions record

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

Senior living and care on track to set mergers and acquisitions record McKnights Senior Living; by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 7/18/24 Mergers and acquisitions involving senior living communities and skilled nursing facilities set a new quarterly record of 183 publicly announced transactions in the second quarter, and when annualized, the sector is on track to set a new yearly record as well. That’s according to data released this week by LevinPro LTC. The number of mergers and transactions in the second quarter was 21% higher than the 151 transactions recorded in the first quarter and 49% higher than the 123 deals in the second quarter of 2023. 

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Fallen nurses are honored by ‘guards’ in white uniforms, capes and caps

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

Fallen nurses are honored by ‘guards’ in white uniforms, capes and caps Radio Iowa; by Radio Iowa Contributor; 7/17/24 A hospital in southwestern Iowa is joining a national volunteer organization that pays tribute to nurses who have died or who are in hospice care. Registered nurse Sara Beth Jones spearheaded the effort to launch a local chapter of the Nurses Honor Guard at Cass Health in Atlantic. Jones says part of their uniform is to wear a cape that’s black on one side and red on the other, much like those worn by nurses who tended to soldiers in the 1800s. ... The Nurses Honor Guard is a comprised of current and former nurses. In addition to the funerals of nurses, they attend parades, honor walks and living tributes. Besides the cape, Jones says Honor Guard participants don the traditional white uniform and cap. 

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Is your organization truly clinically integrated?

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

Is your organization truly clinically integrated? TCNtalks podcast; host Chris Comeaux; 7/17/24 In this conversation, Chris Comeaux and Dr. Will Faber discuss the importance of clinically integrated networks (CINs) in the Hospice and Palliative Care industry.  They explore the challenges and benefits of creating a CIN, including reducing costs, improving quality of care, and competing with larger organizations. Dr. Faber explains that CINs are legal entities that allow independent providers to come together for group effectiveness, enabling them to negotiate with payers and improve quality while reducing healthcare costs.  They also touch on the concept of the triple aim and the evolving concept of the quintuple aim in healthcare. CINs are attractive to hospice and palliative care organizations because they provide a way to stay independent while being part of something larger. 

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NAHC-NHPCO Alliance announces Town Hall

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

NAHC-NHPCO Alliance announces Town Hall HomeCare; 7/17/24 The NAHC-NHPCO Alliance (the Alliance) is continuing the process of integrating the two organizations into a single, cohesive champion for the care-at-home community. The Alliance said the member voice is critical to the success of this endeavor. As such, all members of legacy NAHC and legacy NHPCO are invited to a virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 to learn more about new leadership, progress on integration, how members can stay involved in the Alliance and more. Any questions are welcome and will be answered by Alliance leadership. The Town Hall will take place on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 4-5:30 p.m. ET. [Click on the title's link for additional information.] ... The Alliance has created information pages on each of the respective websites, which are accessible to all regardless of membership status.

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Hospice patient takes 'one last ride' as hospice wish

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

Hospice patient takes 'one last ride' as hospice wish NBC WREX TV-13, Rockford, IL; by Derek Bayne; 7/16/24 Michael Rickert is ready to ride. "Let's hit the pavement," he said. As Rickert gets in the sidecar of Tom Dean's motorcycle, supporters can't help but get emotional. As the engine revs, Rickert, who is in hospice care, remembers why he started riding motorcycles 25 years ago. "It's like my adrenaline is so up," Rickert said. He asked for one last ride, with the Northern Illinois Hospice Foundation setting up this special moment. ... And getting his wish granted means a lot, especially going out to ride on a beautiful day. "If I wouldn't have made it two more days or a day, at least I could say one thing," Rickert said. "I got my wish." 

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Can palliative care consults in hospitals improve end-of-life care?

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

Can palliative care consults in hospitals improve end-of-life care? National Institute on Aging; 7/18/24 Having clinicians automatically order palliative care increased consultation rates and expedited consultations for seriously ill hospitalized people but did not decrease length of stay, according to an NIA-funded study. The findings, published in JAMA, suggest that while ordering by default rather than by choice improves certain end-of-life care processes, the impact on hospital stay length is limited. ... Overall, while default orders for palliative care consultations did not reduce hospital stays, they did improve the frequency and timing of consultations as well as some end-of-life care processes, aligning with clinical guidelines for high quality palliative care.

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Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility makes donations to regional hospice and animal shelter

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility makes donations to regional hospice and animal shelter Fort Madison Daily Democrat; by Brad Vidmar; 7/18/24 Staff at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility (MPCF) presented two big checks to two worthy causes on Monday. During a presentation at the prison, a check for $5,000 was presented to All God’s Creatures and a check for $10,000 was presented to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. ... The $10,000 provided by MPCF for their donation to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice came from a car washing and detailing program that incarcerated individuals at the prison perform for MPCF staff. Stroud explained that the prison still has a hospice room but said its lack of use in recent years persuaded staff to look consider donating money elsewhere.

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How to advocate for an older loved one in the ER or hospital

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

How to advocate for an older loved one in the ER or hospital US News & World Report - Health; by Christine Comizio; 7/17/24 Picture your 80-year-old father in the intensive care unit needing dialysis or your 76-year-old mother with severe dementia facing emergency surgery. These scenarios are becoming increasingly common as 1 in 6 adults in the U.S. are now over 65, a number steadily rising with the aging baby boomer generation. And as our population ages, the likelihood of an older family member becoming hospitalized grows. Many of us will inevitably confront the challenges of hospitalization – oftentimes due to a medical emergency when we least expect it. The critical question is: Are you prepared? ... Editor's Note: For hospice and palliative care professionals who have not yet experienced the serious illness needs of an "older loved one in the ER or hospital," know that personally dealing with needs requires different roles, skill sets, presence, actions, and advocacy than those in your professional role. Be true to your relationship and role with the person needing care. This practical article can be a great resource for your organization's employees, volunteers, and community education. 

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Today's Encouragement: If you don't like the road you're walking ...

07/19/24 at 03:00 AM

If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one. ~ Dolly Parton

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Alpharetta City Council considering fee for lifting assistance calls

07/18/24 at 03:15 AM

Alpharetta City Council considering fee for lifting assistance calls Appen Media, Alpharetta & Roswell, GA; by Jon Wilcox; 7/16/24 The Alpharetta City Council is considering a fee for residents and assisted living homes who make multiple calls a month for emergency responders to help people who have fallen. Director of Public Safety John Robison told the council July 15 that calls for lifting assistance come at significant cost and tie up responders who may be needed for other emergencies. Last year, Robison said, 328 calls for lift assistance cost the city $78,844, almost double the cost from the previous year, which saw 190 calls at a cost of $32,275.30. ... A proposed ordinance suggests a schedule of fees for calls asking responders to assess people who have fallen and may be injured. ... Hospice patients would be exempt from the fees. 

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County Commissioners question providing nonprofits with funding

07/18/24 at 03:00 AM

County Commissioners question providing nonprofits with funding Times Union Online, Kosciusko County, IN; by David L. Slone; 7/16/24 The future of Kosciusko County government providing funding to local nonprofit organizations is uncertain. Tuesday, after some discussion on the appropriateness of the county giving taxpayer dollars to nonprofits, the Kosciusko County Commissioners approved recommending to the County Council that seven nonprofits receive the same amount of funds in 2025 as they did in 2024. [Among the organizations listed is] Stillwater Hospice, $50,000. ... [Commissioner Cary] Groninger said the county council would have the final say on the nonprofit funding. ... [Commissioner Brad] Jackson said the decision was a tough one and they didn’t just want to stop providing funding without giving the nonprofits notice. 

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Cedar Rapids nursing home worker needlessly exposed to infectious disease, judge rules [Keep reading: the employee did not want to serve hospice patients]

07/18/24 at 03:00 AM

Cedar Rapids nursing home worker needlessly exposed to infectious disease, judge rules The Gazette; by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch; 7/16/24 A social worker for an Iowa nursing home was justified in quitting after the facility failed to inform her and others of residents who had serious, contagious diseases, according to a judge’s ruling. State records indicate Mary Lovejoy Castaneda was employed by the nursing home chain Care Initiatives as a full-time social worker at Cedar Rapids’ Heritage Specialty Care from March through May of this year. She resigned after citing “stress and anxiety” related to the job, which entailed working with hospice patients. ... [Additionally,] when Care Initiatives hired Castaneda the company assured her it would refrain from assigning her hospice patients, only to later begin doing so. Editor's Note: Yes, lack of information about patients with "serious, contagious diseases" with the need to wear PPE is a significant offense. However, the social worker employee requesting [refusing?] to serve hospice patitents within a nursing home facility raises significant ethical concerns about care for patients and their families. The staff/patient ratio for social workers in a nursing facilities requires extensive, broad coverage. Click on the title's link to continue reading.

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Bereaved families face ‘devastating’ impacts of hospice fraud

07/18/24 at 03:00 AM

Bereaved families face ‘devastating’ impacts of hospice fraud Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 7/16/24 Fraudulent activity in the hospice space may be leaving some families without sufficient bereavement support. Fraudulent hospice schemes can take a tremendous toll on families that have lost loved ones who received poor or negligent end-of-life care, according to Cheryl Kraus, director of government affairs and policy at the Hospice & Palliative Care Association of New York State (HPCANYS). ... “It’s tragic if you’re already grieving the loss of a loved one to have your suspicions confirmed that they did not receive the level of care that they were entitled to because of bad actors in the hospice space,” Kraus said. “It just shocks the conscience what these fraudulent hospices are doing to people. It’s going to take a long time to restore not just the individuals’ trust who have experienced this firsthand, but also the public’s.” 

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Palliative provider Thyme Care secures $95M in funding round

07/18/24 at 03:00 AM

Palliative provider Thyme Care secures $95M in funding round Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 7/17/24 The oncology-focused value-based enabler Thyme Care has completed a $95 million funding round that includes $55 million in equity funding. The company offers palliative care in addition to other services. In May, Thyme Care launched a new palliative care telehealth offering, branded as Enhanced Supportive Care. Thyme Care will use the new infusion of investment dollars to expand to new geographies, build new partnerships with oncologists, primary care practices and health plans, according to a press release.

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7 hospitals closing departments or ending services

07/18/24 at 03:00 AM

7 hospitals closing departments or ending services Becker's Healthcare; by Andrew Cass; 7/12/24 A number of healthcare organizations have recently closed medical departments or ended services at facilities to shore up finances, focus on more in-demand services or address staffing shortages. Here are seven department closures or services that are ending or have been announced, advanced or finalized that Becker's reported since June 1: 

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A personal approach: Patient Care Coordination Inc. celebrates a decade of inclusive healthcare

07/18/24 at 03:00 AM

A personal approach: Patient Care Coordination Inc. celebrates a decade of inclusive healthcare Classic 96.7 FM BWZ, Philadelphia, PA; 7/17/24Philadelphia-based Patient Care Coordination Inc. (PCC), led by Founder and Executive Director Paul S. Rimar, proudly commemorates its 10th anniversary. With a steadfast commitment to inclusivity, particularly within the LGBTQ community, PCC has grown to serve over 6,500 participants across 21 counties in Pennsylvania, delivering high-quality, value-based healthcare services. ... A cornerstone of PCC’s mission is its dedication to the LGBTQ community. Rimar’s personal experiences with LGBTQ-specific challenges have profoundly influenced PCC’s inclusive policies and practices. ... [Rimar's] comprehensive background, including roles in long-term care, hospice, managed care, and transplantation, has been instrumental in PCC’s evolution and success.

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Private nursing services market hits USD 1179 billion by 2032

07/18/24 at 03:00 AM

Private nursing services market hits USD 1179 billion by 2032 Market.US; by Trishita Deb; 7/17/24 The Global Private Nursing Services Market, valued at USD 609.7 billion in 2022, is poised for substantial growth. It is projected to reach USD 1179 billion by 2032, expanding at a consistent annual growth rate of 7%. This growth is primarily driven by several critical factors. Firstly, the increasing aging population worldwide necessitates more personalized and attentive healthcare services, which private nursing can provide. Secondly, the rise in chronic diseases, which require long-term care, significantly contributes to the demand for private nursing services. Technological advancements and increased healthcare expenditures also play vital roles in enhancing the service quality and accessibility in this sector​.

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When you know you might forget everything: Living with the Alzheimer’s gene

07/18/24 at 03:00 AM

When you know you might forget everything: Living with the Alzheimer’s gene Intelligencer; by Amelia Schonbek; 7/16/24 In 2017, 23andMe began offering tests for the genetic risk of developing certain health conditions like celiac disease, Parkinson’s, and late-onset Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s test will tell you if you have the gene variant APOE4, which means you have an increased likelihood of developing the disease. One in four people carry a single copy of the gene, but 2 to 3 percent of the population have two copies — one from each parent — and have a much higher probability. As with all of 23andMe’s upcharged “Health Predisposition Reports,” the sell on it was self-empowerment: Once you know, you can plan, allowing you to take charge of your well-being. 

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Pennant acquires Signature Healthcare at Home assets for $80M

07/18/24 at 03:00 AM

Pennant acquires Signature Healthcare at Home assets for $80M McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 7/11/24The Pennant Group, a provider of home health, personal care, hospice and senior living services, disclosed ... that it agreed to purchase assets of certain Signature Healthcare at Home affiliates for $80 million. Signature provides home health and hospice services in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, and its 650 staff members serve more than 12,000 patients annually, according to an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pennant’s acquisition of Signature’s Washington and Idaho assets is expected to close on Aug. 1, while its acquisition of Signature’s Oregon assets is expected to close January 1, 2025.

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Woman radiates joy as she wears a wedding gown for the first time after 77 years of marriage

07/18/24 at 03:00 AM

Woman radiates joy as she wears a wedding gown for the first time after 77 years of marriage Scoop; by Rima Biswas; 7/16/24When this 97-year-old got married, she didn't have a proper wedding gown. She got to live this dream after 77 years of marriage thanks to a hospice facility. ... On King and her husband's 77th wedding anniversary, her dream of wearing a wedding dress finally came true. The staff of St. Croix Hospice in Iowa helped the then-97-year-old King to get dressed in all white and a veil to walk down the grassy lawn to celebrate her wedding anniversary. The hospice facility made a small but special arrangement to help the veteran couple reenact their wedding memories, getting everyone emotional in the process.

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