Literature Review
How the Hospice CARE Act could change respite services
08/05/24 at 03:15 AMHow the Hospice CARE Act could change respite services Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/1/24 The Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (Hospice CARE) Act, if enacted, would make changes to the ways hospices provide respite care. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) is in the process of drafting the bill that would represent the most significant reforms to date for hospice payment and oversight. The legislation is currently in a discussion draft phase, which has been circulated among the nation’s major industry trade associations and their members for feedback. ... “There’s evidence that people who take advantage of hospice care delivered properly, actually have a higher quality of life. Oftentimes, they live longer,” Blumenauer said at Elevate. “This is an opportunity to do something in this Congress that is concrete, specific, that will save money and improve the quality of care for some of our most vulnerable people.”
Want more effective hospice nurses? Overhaul your onboarding
08/05/24 at 03:10 AMWant more effective hospice nurses? Overhaul your onboardingMcKnight's Home Care; by Raianne Melton; 7/18/24The benefits of a comprehensive onboarding program are undeniable. Companies that prioritize onboarding see a median revenue increase of 49% per employee compared to those that don’t. Employees who undergo a successful onboarding process are 69% more likely to remain with a company for three years or more.
10 tips for working with the media
08/05/24 at 03:05 AM10 tips for working with the mediaMcKnight's Senior Living; by Lois A. Bowers; 7/15/24Publisher's Note: Mark Cohen, Publisher of Hospice News Today, has also discussed several of these points. Please see full article for additional detail.
LMHPCO Standards of Excellence winners
08/05/24 at 03:05 AMLMHPCO Standards of Excellence WinnersLouisiana ~ Mississippi Hospice & Palliative Care Organization Conference; 7/25/24Congratulations to the following hospices earning the LMHPCO Standards of Excellence certification in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging:
PharMerica reaches $100 million settlement over alleged SNF pharmacy kickbacks
08/05/24 at 03:05 AMPharMerica reaches $100 million settlement over alleged SNF pharmacy kickbacksMcKnight's Long-Term Care News; by Josh Henreckson; 7/18/24One of the nation’s leading pharmacy companies has agreed to pay $100 million to resolve allegations of false claims and kickbacks in its dealings with long-term care providers. The legal claims against PharMerica have been ongoing in the District Court of New Jersey since 2011, when whistleblower Marc Silver accused the company of undercharging skilled nursing facilities for their Medicare Part A patients in order to secure more lucrative Medicare Part D and Medicaid contracts.
NAHC & NHPCO leaders say united organization already at work
08/05/24 at 03:00 AMNAHC & NHPCO leaders say united organization already at work HomeCare; 8/1/24 The new group formed by the recent merger of the National Association for Homecare and Hospice (NAHC) and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) has already gotten to work advocating in the industry—even though it doesn’t yet have a name or CEO. That’s what leaders said in a town hall meeting to discuss the progress of the alliance, which, for now, is being called “the alliance” as a sort of shorthand. “The work of the organizations doesn’t stop because of the merger,” said Ken Albert, chair of the group’s transition board, told more than 230 attendees for the online town hall on Thursday, July 31. “We’re continuing to serve members in all ways.” The two groups officially merged July 1 and hoped to have a name ready for the launch but encountered hurdles regarding trademark, said.
Hospice Coalition Questions and Answers: June 20, 2024
08/05/24 at 03:00 AMHospice Coalition Questions and Answers: June 20, 2024Palmetto GBA; 7/15/2024Meeting Q&A and these attachments: Attachment A: Hospice Appeals Report 2024; Attachment B: Hospice CAP Updates.
National plan on aging ‘essential’ to addressing key issues: AARP
08/05/24 at 03:00 AMNational plan on aging ‘essential’ to addressing key issues: AARPMcKnight's Senior Living; by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 7/18/24Aging, itself, isn’t a challenge - but being unprepared for aging is, according to AARP, which on Wednesday released a white paper that lays out a blueprint for developing a national plan on aging. The paper marks the launch of the organization’s Aging Well in America Initiative, for which the AARP took best practices from federal, state and local initiatives to create a blueprint for the development of a “robust” national plan to foster the well-being, quality of life and dignity of older Americans.
Providers, patients would benefit from hospice telehealth extension, doc offers
08/05/24 at 03:00 AMProviders, patients would benefit from hospice telehealth extension, doc offers McKnights Senior Living; by Rachael Zimlich; 7/31/24 The COVID-19 pandemic triggered many changes in healthcare, and not all were bad. In the years since the coronavirus forced worldwide lockdowns and limited access to care, the healthcare industry increasingly has embraced measures such as remote care and telehealth. One surprising area that has benefitted from those changes is hospice care. Hospice care by telehealth provides an obvious convenience for patients, but [Sean Oser, MD, MPH] shared his surprise at how much the increased frequency and ease of visits — plus better insight into the patient’s home environment —could improve his own experience as the provider. ... The latest extension of rules to allow hospice provided via telehealth to be paid through Medicare will end in December. ... Representatives called out the need to extend the hospital-at-home waiver, which is set to expire at the end of 2024.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) Resource Toolkit
08/05/24 at 03:00 AMWorld Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) Resource ToolkitWorldwide Hospice and Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA); 8/1/24WHPCA celebrates 10 years since the World Health Assembly (WHO’s Governing Body) passed the only stand-alone resolution on palliative care, calling for all countries to “strengthen palliative care as a component of comprehensive care throughout the life course...” [They have made a free Resource Toolkit available.]
Teleios’ Clinically Integrated Network sets benchmark for healthcare excellence
08/05/24 at 03:00 AMTeleios’ Clinically Integrated Network Sets Benchmark for Healthcare ExcellenceTeleios press release; 7/31/24Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN) recently announced that its Clinically Integrated Network (CIN) is setting the benchmark for healthcare excellence in the serious illness space. The data from the most recent reporting period again demonstrates that the members of the CIN are delivering exceptional patient care. One hundred percent of the CIN members achieved a 4- or 5-star rating on the CAHPS Hospice Survey Star Ratings by CMS. In addition, all the members identified and documented a healthcare surrogate for hospice within the first 5 days after admission at least 90% of the time with the network average being 97% and upon the time of admission for Palliative Care patients with the average being 99.8% of the time. This was the result of the members reviewing and revising their processes to ensure that a healthcare surrogate was identified and documented.
Today's Encouragement
08/05/24 at 03:00 AMPickleball is a lot like life. The one who serves the most usually wins...
Prognosis superspecial: A podcast with Kara Bischoff, James Deardorff, and Elizabeth Lilley
08/05/24 at 03:00 AMPrognosis Superspecial: A Podcast with Kara Bischoff, James Deardorff, and Elizabeth LilleyGeriPal Podcast; by Alex Smith, Eric Widera, Kara Bischoff, James Deardorff, Elizabeth Lilley; 7/25/24We are dusting off our crystal balls today with three amazing guests who have all recently published an article on prognosis over the last couple months: Kara Bischoff, James Deardorff, and Elizabeth Lilley. To start us off we talk with Kara Bischoff about the article she just published in JAMA Network on a re-validation of the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) in a modern day palliative care setting... Next, we talk with James Deardorff about whether we can accurately predict nursing home level of care in community-dwelling older adults with dementia... Lastly, we invite Liz Lilley to talk about her paper in Annals of Surgery about prognostic alignment, including why as palliative care and geriatrics teams we need to take time to ensure that all disciplines and specialties are prognostically aligned before a family meeting.
Home care workforce drops by 3,500 in June, BLS reports
08/05/24 at 03:00 AMHome care workforce drops by 3,500 in June, BLS reportsMcKnight's Home Care; by Adam Healy; 7/8/24The exit of several thousand from the home care workforce last month partially contributed to slower-than-average job growth across all healthcare-related segments in June, according to the latest employment report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment in home healthcare services, which includes home health and personal care aides, dropped by roughly 3,500 in June, the report, released Friday, found. The BLS estimated there to be roughly 1,751,500 home healthcare services workers as of June 2024, which is roughly 0.2% fewer than there were in May 2024, and almost 8% more than there were in June 2023. This decline in home care workers contrasts with recent workforce gains. The sector added nearly 20,000 jobs from April to May, BLS reported last month.
Hospices build community partnerships to better serve patients, employees
08/04/24 at 03:55 AMHospices build community partnerships to better serve patients, employees Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 7/29/24 Hospice care does not occur in a vacuum, and many operators find themselves building partnerships with other community organizations to better serve patients and support their staff. Providers work with other institutions to provide general inpatient and respite care, address social determinants of health and improve health equity, among other initiatives. Some also partner with medical and nursing schools to ensure students in health care fields gain exposure to hospice and palliative care principles. Notable Mentions: Skelly Wingard, CEO of By the Bay Health; Mary Shankster, Chief Development Officer at Stillwater Hospice; Altonia Garrett, COO of Blue Ridge Hospice
The bereavement care crisis in hospice facilities
08/04/24 at 03:50 AMThe bereavement care crisis in hospice facilities MedCity News; by Cara McCarty Abbott; 7/28/24 Bereavement care is an essential part of the hospice experience, designed to support those coping with loss. Bereavement care is not just a compassionate gesture; it is a critical component of the hospice care continuum. So why is it so underserved in the U.S.? ... Instead of pushing harder on hospice providers to find more ways to deliver comprehensive bereavement care with less, it's key to address the systemic forces hampering their ability to deliver quality care at the scale required and address these challenges. Editor's Note: Additionally, does your hospice still rely on the misnamed, overused "5 Stages of Grief"? These were determined from 1960's persons who were dying, not from bereaved persons who lived on--surviving--the deaths. Extensive fresh, contemporary, hospice-designed grief resources to support bereavement counselors and the persons they serve are provided by Composing Life Out of Loss, a sponsor for our newsletter.
Acupuncture as a support in palliative care at Sun City Center HAW
08/04/24 at 03:45 AMAcupuncture as a support in palliative care at Sun City Center HAW The Tidewater News, Ruskin, FL; 7/22/24 Sun City Center Health and Wellness (HAW) is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for patients managing serious illnesses, championing the use of acupuncture as a key supportive treatment in palliative care. This practice, grounded in traditional Chinese medicine, offers relief from common symptoms and enhances overall well-being. ... The role of acupuncture in palliative care is gaining recognition for its potential to improve the quality of life for patients dealing with serious illnesses.
Why home health providers should expect to see a ‘less draconian’ final payment rule
08/04/24 at 03:40 AMWhy home health providers should expect to see a ‘less draconian’ final payment rule Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 7/22/24 As home health providers continue to digest the proposed payment rule for 2025, National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) President William A. Dombi believes that the industry will ultimately see a comparatively toned down final rule. “We believe we will not end up with this proposed rule as a final rule,” he said during the opening presentation at NAHC’s Financial Management Conference in Las Vegas on Sunday. “We will end up with something less draconian. The cuts will be reduced because, No. 1, that’s what they’ve done for the last several years, and, No. 2, it’s an election year.” Even with a prediction of a “less draconian” final payment rule, NAHC is still gearing up to fight against home health cuts and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) payment-setting methodologies.
Hospices strategize sustainable growth for Veteran Programs
08/04/24 at 03:35 AMHospices strategize sustainable growth for Veteran Programs Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 7/26/24 Hospices combat both operational and financial challenges as they seek to grow and evolve their veteran programs around the diverse and complex needs of patients and their families. Some of the largest expenses associated with offering veteran services include staffing and training costs ... In addition to staff training, this includes having ways to honor veterans for their service, assess the social determinant of health resources they may need and identify gaps of caregiver support. ... Forming community collaborations with organizations such as We Honor Veterans [NHPCO], Wounded Warriors or the Veteran Affairs’ (VA) Pet Partners therapy program can be beneficial to having a more inclusive care delivery approach.Editor's Note: Notable mentions include Carlos Graveran, executive director at Maryland-based Frederick Health Hospice; Sherri Bickley, vice president of patient support services at Oklahoma-based Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care; and Carla Creegan, PACE director of clinical services and director of adult day swervices at Empath Health.
Sasha McAllum Pilkington on grace and storytelling at the end of life
08/04/24 at 03:30 AMSasha McAllum Pilkington on grace and storytelling at the end of life Psychotherapy.net; by Lawrence Rubin; 7/22/24 Narrative Clinician, Sasha McAllum Pilkington [of New Zealand], shares poignant stories she co-created with hospice clients which honor and celebrate their lives. [This interview includes: ...
Senators introduce bipartisan bill to expand access to senior care program [PACE]
08/04/24 at 03:25 AMSenators introduce bipartisan bill to expand access to senior care program [PACE] FCFreePress.com; by News Desk - Health News; 7/25/24 [Thursday, 7/25/24,] U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mike Braun (R-IN), leaders of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, introduced the bipartisan PACE Anytime Act. This legislative move seeks to broaden the accessibility of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) which serves thousands of lower-income seniors and individuals with disabilities by offering comprehensive, integrated care. ... Under current regulations, eligible individuals can only enroll in PACE programs at the beginning of each month. The PACE Anytime Act proposes to remove this restriction, allowing for enrollment at any time during the month, thereby making the program more accessible.
Caregivers of end-of-life patients reveal the last words they hear most often and the most common regrets from patients
08/04/24 at 03:20 AMCaregivers of end-of-life patients reveal the last words they hear most often and the most common regrets from patients WhatsNew2Day; by Alexander; 7/27/24... While each person’s final moments are different, chaplains and palliative care nurses have said most people approach their death with “radical acceptance.” People who are actively dying also often have a new sense of clarity about the universe and may even have a temporary burst of energy or sudden moments of clarity if they have dementia. The last words patients usually say to their families are to tell them they love them... [Often, people] who are in the midst of dying want to be surrounded by their loved ones and pets. Their final words are often words of love and pleas for forgiveness, as well as expressions of regret, ... [Another described that people show] "a desire for connection" with loved ones and faith. Editor's Note: This article provides a balanced scope of descriptions from several professionals, notably Catherine Duncan, Annemarie Switchulis, Neal Shah, and Zackary Price. In this day of social media, some hospice professionals (past or present) tout definitive, authoritative descriptions of what all dying persons experience, with too many assumptions and generalizations. Beware what you read and distribute, especially if the tone and language (of other articles) are sensationalized in a way to garner social media "expertise," followers and Shares--at the expense of more balanced, sensitive, diverse, personalized experiences.
Empath Health, Trustbridge leaders are setting home health sights high after integration
08/04/24 at 03:15 AMEmpath Health, Trustbridge leaders are setting home health sights high after integration Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 7/26/24 Empath Health is a company in transition. In the spring, it completed an affiliation process with Trustbridge, which formed the largest nonprofit post-acute provider organization in the state of Florida. ... Since completion of the affiliation process, the company has focused on integration, synergistic opportunities and determining how best to deliver care to the communities it serves. One of the people at the helm of this transition is Tarrah Lowry, Empath Health’s chief operating officer and Trustbridge’s interim president. [Click on the title's link to read the recent interview by Home Health Care News' with Tarrah Lowry.]
Awards and Recognitions: July 2024
08/04/24 at 03:10 AMAwards and Recognitions: July 2024We congratulate these honorees and celebrate their contributions to our collective hospice and palliative care mission, vision, and compassionate care throughout our world. Do you know any of these leaders? We encourage you to forward this to them or to find another way to celebrate their success. (We are piloting this as a monthly feature in Hospice & Palliative Care Today.)
‘Green burials’ grow in popularity as alternatives to traditional funerals
08/04/24 at 03:05 AM‘Green burials’ grow in popularity as alternatives to traditional funerals Planet Detroit; by Erica Hobbs; 7/24/24|... [Modern] funeral practices are wreaking havoc on the environment. Bodies are embalmed with toxic chemicals and buried in caskets placed in non-biodegradable vaults that take up increasingly limited space in cemeteries. According to a Cornell University study, an estimated 4.3 million gallons of embalming fluid, 20 million feet of hardwood, 1.6 million tons of concrete and 64,500 tons of steel are used in American burials yearly. Even cremation — often thought of as a green alternative to burial — requires up to 500 gallons of fuel and releases up to 250 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, according to a recent study from the Green Burial Council (GBC). However, for those looking to reduce their carbon footprints even in death, green options, though still relatively rare, are available in Michigan. ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading these descriptions of "green burials."]