Literature Review

3 Reasons Continuous Home Care utilization is fallingHospice News, by Jim Parker; 2/2/24Utilization continuous home care has dropped precipitously during the past decade, with labor pressures, regulatory scrutiny and billing challenges as contributing factors. Continuous home care (CHC) represented 0.9% of hospice care days during 2022, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). This is down from 1.8% in 2013.Notible mentions: Sarah Simmons and Patrick Harrison, NHPCO.

Spending in home care outpaces other healthcare sectorsMcKnights Senior Living, by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 2/2/24Spending in home healthcare outpaced other healthcare sectors in November, according to Altarum’s monthly Health Sector Economic Indicators brief, released Wednesday. “In November 2023, year-over-year spending on home healthcare grew the fastest among major spending categories, at 12.9%,” Altarum Fellow and Senior Researcher George Miller told the McKnight’s Business Daily. ... Spending on nursing home care grew 7.9%; prescription drug 12.2%; dental services 5.8%; hospital care 5.9%; Overall, personal spending on healthcare goods and services was 7.3% in November, year over year.

Strategies for positive change in opioid prescribingPharmacy Times; 2/1/24This is a video synopsis/summary of a Practice Pearls featuring Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, CPEL; Megan Mitchell, PharmD, MS; Stephanie Abel, PharmD, BCPS; and Jennifer Grate, CPhT. Haumschild discusses the importance of positive change in opioid stewardship. 

When a spouse goes to the nursing homeThe New York Times, by Paula Span; 2/5/24After moving his partner of 33 years to a memory care residence, Joseph Drolet, a retired lawyer in Atlanta, said his fear of what would happen to her if he died or became disabled has abated.

I was my grandmother's caretaker before moving to the US to follow my dreams. She died 6 months later and I still feel guiltyBusiness Insider, by Erma Kershaw; 2/4/24... Grieving while living in a different country has been incredibly difficult. The moment I learned she'd died will stay with me forever. ... While my grandmother's passing didn't come as a surprise, the time since then has still been the most challenging period of my life. Grief is already a hard process for several reasons, but living 3,000 miles away from your loved ones makes it even harder. 

The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise. – Maya Angelou

Colorado’s paid leave program just launched. Here’s why that’s good for the state.U.S. Department of Labor Blog, by Gayle Goldin; 2/5/24Today marks the 31st anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), landmark federal legislation that provides eligible workers unpaid, job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons. ... But the FMLA is not enough. The lack of a paid leave standard means that many people cannot afford to take time away from work, even when they need it. That’s why we’re celebrating Colorado’s new paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI), which began accepting applications on Jan. 1.

A journalist assisted a woman’s quest for suicide. Did he get too involved?The Washington Post, by Jeremy Barr; 2/3/24The Boston Globe acknowledged that writer Kevin Cullen crossed an ethical line by signing a legal form for Lynda Bluestein. But the woman’s husband is grateful for what he did. Kevin Cullen, a veteran columnist for the Boston Globe, spent months shadowing a terminally ill Connecticut woman as she campaigned for permission to have an assisted suicide and ultimately died that way several weeks ago. ... But Cullen did more than just chronicle [her] journey. He also got involved in her story by signing a legal form attesting that she was sound of mind when she requested to die in Vermont, which granted her the right to do so.

10% of people with dementia may actually have different disease, research suggestsBecker's Clinical Leadership, by Ashleigh Hollowell; 2/1/24Certain cases of dementia — potentially up to 10% — could instead be undiagnosed liver disease and related neurological issues, according to a study published Jan. 31 in JAMA. Additionally, researchers believe that the 10% of undiagnosed liver disease and brain dysfunction could possibly be resolved with treatment. For the study, researchers analyzed a decade of data — spanning 2009 to 2019 — from 177,422 veterans who had a diagnosis of dementia, and looked for a high Fibrosis-4 score, which is a sign of advanced liver fibrosis that can lead to cirrhosis.

Palmetto Hospice updates and review webinar: February 13, 2024Press release; 2/5/24Webinar 2/13/24 @ 1:00 PM ET. Please click here to register for this webinar session. This session is designed to provide insight for your Hospice agency staff. During this session, a representative will provide Hospice Billing Updates, Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model information, 2024 Final Rule Summary and other helpful information and tips.

Debate over psychedelic therapy returns to Missouri General AssemblyMissouri Independent, by Rebecca Rivas; 1/30/24Republican lawmakers are once again pushing legislation that would require Missouri to conduct a clinical study on using psilocybin, more commonly referred to  as “magic mushrooms,” to treat depression, substance use or as part end-of-life care. 

What happens to the pets of local hospice patients?InterReviewed, by Mercedez Hernandez; 2/1/24Nonprofit organizations dedicated to finding homes for animals say there is a great need for these services when a pet owner is experiencing their final moments in hospice care. Kerrvile Pets Alive recently rescued Gracie, a 9-year-old tabby cat whose owner was about to die in hospice. Karen Guerriero, president of the nonprofit’s board of directors, said the agency works directly with Peterson Health Hospice in Kerrville to accommodate pets when requested, as in Gracie’s case.

Lee County belt tightening means a reduction in hospice careWIUM Trstates Public Radio, by Will Buss; 2/1/24Lee County Supervisors are looking for ways to reduce spending. As a result, the health department is scaling back the level of hospice care it provides terminally ill residents. Administrator Michele Ross said the department has pushed to retain hospice service but will refer more residents to private providers.