Literature Review

UVM Home Health & Hospice raises over $128,000 myChamplainValley.com, Colchester, VT; by Charlotte Ferguson; 7/1/24 UVM Home Health & Hospice raised over $128,000 in its annual 5K fundraiser last month. This was the most the fundraiser has ever brought in for the McClure Miller Respite House. Every dollar raised goes directly to the McClure Miller Respite House, ensuring that each patient receives high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care despite their financial circumstances.

Senior care experts detail how to build a coveted ‘destination workplace’ McKnights Home Care; by Josh Henreckson; 6/27/24 Faced with today’s complex array of financial, staffing and regulatory challenges, senior care operators need to rely on a broad range of workplace solutions, a panel of experts said. ... Providers should be actively listening to their employees’ needs and trying to meet the evolving desires of the labor market, they emphasized at McKnight’s “Meeting of the Minds” thought-leader discussion. This must take place whether they’re pursuing recruiting strategies, trying to improve staff retention, integrating new technological advances or investing in new benefits and professional development. “The one area that’s going to undergird everything for your success is paying attention to the most important capital, which is human capital,” said Navin Gupta, CEO at software provider Viventium. “Pay attention to the caregiver experience from recruitment … to retention to recognition and development — the entire journey."

Why Nurses QuitMedscape; by Jodi Helmer; 6/27/24Over 262,000 registered nurses (RNs) graduate yearly; 33 percent quit within the first 2 years. "Retention is a huge issue in nursing," says Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, president of the American Nurses Association (ANA). "COVID highlighted the issue, but these problems existed well before [the pandemic], and what we're seeing is a failure to truly do something about it." ... Diagnosing the Problem: burnout, work environment, inadequate staffing. Finding a Cure: legislation, residencies and mentorship, improved work conditions, resources for self-care.

Executive Personnel Changes - 7/5/24

States with the most rural hospital closures in the past 20 years Becker's CFO Report; by Mariah Taylor; 6/28/24 Since January 2005, 192 rural hospitals have closed or converted, according to data compiled by the University of North Carolina's Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research. Of those hospitals, 105 have completely closed, and 87 have converted, meaning the facilities no longer provide inpatient services, but continue to provide some services, such as primary care, skilled nursing care or long-term care. Since 2020, 36 hospitals have closed or converted. 

Pasadena Hindu Temple offers health planning series for seniors: Interactive session to cover advance care, palliative care, and hospice services Pasadena Now; 7/2/24 The Pasadena Hindu Temple is hosting a health and wellbeing series for seniors, focusing on future healthcare planning. ... Doctors Alka and Pradeep Kapoor, both board-certified in internal medicine, hospice, and palliative medicine, will present on topics including advance care planning, palliative care, and hospice care. The doctors, who have over 45 years of medical experience, are also certified in Post Acute and Long-term care medicine. ... Established in 2002, the Pasadena Hindu Temple has evolved into a hub for Indian heritage and Hindu worship in Southern California. Now operating as the Hindu Temple and Heritage Foundation (HTHF), the nonprofit organization offers various community services. Editor's Note: What cultures and faith communities are in your service areas? Do you reach out to all? Does your staffing reflect your community? Click here for U.S. Census information and search for your geographical areas. 

The hidden advantages of having an older workforce in home health care Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 7/2/24In home health and hospice, the amount of nurses who are at retirement age are set to surpass new RNs, according to data from the American Medical Group Association. St. John has noticed that working with more experienced nurses has meant less turnover. "Our highest turnover is in first-year nurses," she said. Another benefit of having a workforce full of mostly seasoned nurses is that they are better equipped to handle burnout, according to Barnett.

Four July 4th tips for families caring for loved ones with dementia Alzheimer's Association; 6/27/24 Fireworks and gatherings are staples of the 4th of July holiday, but these can create unique challenges for someone living with dementia. ... “Celebrating Independence Day can still be a fun, enjoyable experience for families impacted by dementia-related illnesses by making the proper adaptations such as being cautious about watching fireworks due to loud noises. It requires thoughtful planning to ensure their safety, comfort, and enjoyment.” said Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, SIFI, AFA’s Director of Educational and Social Services. “Being proactive, prepared, and adaptable, and creating a safe space, are the best ways caregivers can create a dementia-friendly 4th of July for their loved ones.” AFA encourages family caregivers to follow these four tips for the 4th of July:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — The Declaration of Independence, 1776

Hospice of the Western Reserve celebrates a record-breaking Walk to Remember [- over $380k] Cleveland.com; by Kelsy Adam, guest columnist, communications manager for Hospice of the Western Reserve; 6/30/24 Hospice of the Western Reserve’s 13th annual Walk to Remember on June 9 was one for the record books. Held on a beautiful Sunday morning at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Hospice of the Western Reserve’s signature annual fundraiser surpassed the event’s previous attendance records, with over 2,600 participants united to support the organization’s mission and to honor loved ones who have passed away. This year’s Walk to Remember also set a new fundraising record, with donations and sponsorships exceeding $380,000. ... The atmosphere at the event was one of camaraderie, remembrance and hope. As participants arrived, the sense of community was palpable. Families and friends gathered at the morning event, many wearing personalized shirts and carrying photos or mementos of their loved ones.

Muncie hospice nurse accused of obtaining narcotics 'by fraud or deceit' The Star Press, Muncie, IN; by Douglas Walker; 7/2/24 A Muncie hospice nurse is accused of ordering prescription pain medication in the names of nursing home residents who then never received the narcotics. Meredith Griffin Briles, 45, is charged in Delaware Circuit Court 5 with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or deceit, possession of a narcotic drug and failure to make, keep or furnish a record. All three charges are Level 6 felonies carrying up to 30 months in prison.

Report: Healthcare needs to diversify workforce to get rid of racial inequalities MedPage Today - Public Health & Policy - Equity in Medicine; by Associated Press; 6/26/24 "Inequities are baked into our healthcare system," says one expert. Racial and ethnic inequities in healthcare are found in every state in the U.S. despite the passage of legislation intended to improve health outcomes for minorities and increased awareness of healthcare disparities over the past two decades, according to a new national report released Wednesday. The 300-plus-page document from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine detailed how structural racism and people's surroundings have contributed to worse health outcomes for minorities. It also offers recommendations and solutions to healthcare organizations and the federal government, like a more diverse workforce and adjusting payment systems to make healthcare more affordable.

Lawmakers say CMS should ban Medicare Advantage’s use of AI to deny care McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Josh Henreckson; 6/26/24 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should consider banning artificial intelligence from being used to deny Medicare Advantage coverage pending a “systematic review,” a group of 49 congressional leaders is urging. ...  Skilled nursing providers have been sounding the alarm for years on Medicare Advantage coverage access, especially when informed by AI and other algorithms. Sector leaders have frequently noted that these methods can deny or prematurely end coverage for patients who need it to afford necessary long-term care. Providers and consumer advocates both spoke out in favor of the lawmakers’ letter this week. “LeadingAge’s nonprofit and mission driven members … have firsthand experience of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans’ inappropriate use of prior authorization to deny, shorten and limit MA enrollees’ access to medically necessary Medicare benefits,” wrote Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge. ... “Implementation by [the] Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which we fully support, would ensure MA plans fulfill their obligation to provide enrollees equitable access to Medicare services.”