Literature Review

Report—Death rates in older adults dropped overall prior to pandemicMcKnight’s Long Term Care NewsDecember 20, 2023Death rates for adults 65 and older fell from 2000 through 2019, according to a new report that analyzed death rates among older adults prior to the pandemic. The National Vital Statistics Report was published on Dec. 15. Data in the report came from the National Center for Health Statistics between 2000 and 2019. 

Washington Post Investigation on Elopements Puts Memory Care in the SpotlightSenior Housing NewsDecember 20, 2023A series of investigations from the Washington Post on resident elopement and staffing has shone a new light on memory care operators and the challenges they face keeping residents safe. One of the Post stories, published over the weekend, centered on residents who wandered away from memory care communities since 2018, almost 100 of which died. Most of the incidents involved residents of memory care communities, and among the struggles highlighted were staffing shortages and improper training. The story represents a new source of scrutiny for an industry that has intermittently struggled with bad press since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"We get so frustrated and weary chasing the perfect holiday season that we never take time to enjoy the one right in front of us." Joshua Becker

What to know about home healthcare and home careModern HealthcareDecember 19, 2023Efforts to move more care into the home got a boost last week when the Biden administration announced $37 billion in funding to support home- and community-based services through the American Rescue Plan Act. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is encouraging states to use the money to create registries for consumers of direct care workers who can provide home-based care to Medicaid beneficiaries, as well as those who do not receive Medicaid benefits. ... Here is what you need to know about the services and their growth. ...

Caregivers more financially burdened, less prepared for large emergency expensesMcKnight’s Senior LivingDecember 19, 2023Caregivers are more likely to be burdened by finances and less likely to be prepared than noncaregivers for large emergency expenses, according to data from the Employee Benefit Research Institute. ... The report noted that caregivers are predominantly women and minorities. They tend to be older, single workers as well, compared to the workforce at large. ... Still, according to the data, caregivers are more likely to find themselves in a pickle when emergency expenses arise, such as a costly prescription or a medical expense exceeding $5,000.

Joliet nurses likely to reject Ascension’s ‘last, best and final’ contract offerShaw Local News NetworkDecember 18, 2023Joliet, IL—The Illinois Nurses’ Association at Ascension St. Joseph—Joliet is voting on the hospital’s “last best and final offer” for a new contract and is expected to reject the contract proposal.

Health Care: To Advance Effective AI Strategy, Lay Policy Groundwork Wall Street Journal, 12/19/23Integrating an understanding of public policy into AI strategy and design can help health care organizations stay directionally aligned with policy trends while advancing their tech strategy. ... Many health care leaders may be keen to roll out AI within their organizations to promote efficiency and drive value, but moving too fast may have the opposite effect.

Jefferson, Lehigh Valley Health to merge in 2024Modern HealthcareDecember 19, 2023Jefferson and Lehigh Valley Health Network plan to merge next year, creating a system of 30 hospitals and more than 700 care sites in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The two health systems said Tuesday they have signed a non-binding letter of intent to merge and plan to sign a definitive agreement and close the transaction sometime in 2024, pending regulatory approval. 

A Lukewarm Home Health, Hospice Dealmaking Year Comes To A CloseHome Health Care NewsDecember 19, 2023Following consecutive record years for health care transactions, 2023 was a comparatively lukewarm time for home health and hospice dealmaking activity. That’s according to a recent report from PwC. Specifically, there were 95 home health and hospice deals in the 12 months examined by PwC, which ended on Nov. 15., compared to 114 during the same period last year. The deals were worth $4.7 billion. ... PwC experts believe that M&A will likely be a key growth and profit driver next year.

Rome Community Foundation awards nearly $184K in fourth-quarter grantsCentral New York Business JournalDecember 19, 2023Rome, NY—The Rome Community Foundation announced it has awarded $183,616 in grants—ranging from $500 to $25,000 each—to 21 Rome-area charitable organizations. The recipients include: Hospice and Palliative Care, $15,000; ...

The Hospice Action Network Presents 2023 Angel Awards HonoreesNews ReleaseDecember 19, 2023Alexandria, VA—The Hospice Action Network (HAN), the advocacy affiliate group of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), is pleased to announce its 2023 Hospice Action Network Angel Award Honorees. ... New this year is the addition of the first-ever “Courageous Conversations Award” to be presented, when merited, to a standout individual who has inspired and educated the public on the value of hospice. At 99, former President Jimmy Carter is the longest living U.S. President and the first known President to utilize the Medicare Hospice Benefit. This year’s HAN award recipients are as follows:

Hudson Valley Hospice Opens its First ResidenceHudson Valley Press (Newburgh, NY)December 19, 2023Poughkeepsie, NY—Michael Kaminski, President and CEO of Hudson Valley Hospice, announced that the Hudson Valley Hospice House is now open to patients. ... Suites can also be converted for pediatric patient care to meet the extraordinary needs of our youngest patients and their loved ones.

There are more Florida nursing students but fewer qualified applicants, a report showsHealth News FloridaDecember 19, 2023The number of students enrolling in nursing programs in Florida is increasing. But colleges and universities are reporting a drop in qualified applicants. That’s one of the findings in a new report from the Florida Center for Nursing. It surveyed more than 500 programs over the past year—most of them in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. ... Rayna Letourneau, the center’s executive director, says Florida needs to start recruiting while students are young. ... The report also finds a decrease in nursing faculty.