Literature Review
Seeking human empathy, health insurers turn to AI
04/09/25 at 03:00 AMSeeking human empathy, health insurers turn to AI Modern Healthcare; by Nona Tepper; 3/27/25 When Florida Blue wanted its call center employees to demonstrate greater emotional intelligence when dealing with customers, the nonprofit health insurance company enlisted a tutor incapable of emotion. A generative artificial intelligence, or genAI, chatbot instructs 30 Florida Blue customer service representatives on how to behave like human beings when interacting with other human beings. The chatbot guides workers on human behaviors, such as when to slow their speech, when to hasten a call to its conclusion and what to recommend to policyholders. The company plans to expand this pilot program to its entire 1,600-person call center team this year. [Continue reading ... access may be limited]Editor's note: Is this backwards? What happened to human kindness? Courtesy and core respect? I am a lifelong lover of new technologies. Still, I am surprised at this seemingly-backwards twist. For whatever works, may we learn and grow in "[behaving] like human beings when interacting with other human beings."
Helios Care gets major grant for palliative care program
04/09/25 at 03:00 AMHelios Care gets major grant for palliative care program ALLOTSEGO, Oneonta, NY; Press Release; 4/3/25 Helios Care has received a grant of $195,000.00 from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to support its Choices Program, officials announced on Friday, February 14. According to a media release, the Choices Program, which supports patients in Delaware, Otsego, and Schoharie counties, was created to bring in-home palliative care services to older adults who are facing a serious illness. ... “Choices has evolved thanks to the longstanding relationship between Helios Care and the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation,” said Kelly McGraw, who played a key role in launching and developing this program at Helios Care. “With this grant, Choices brings in-home person-centered care to patients, addressing their emotional, social, and physical needs.” [Continue reading ...]
2 nursing staff practices tied to safety risks: Study
04/09/25 at 03:00 AM2 nursing staff practices tied to safety risks: Study Becker's Clinical Leadership, Washington, DC; by Mariah Taylor; 4/3/25 Washington, D.C.-based George Washington University and Premier researchers found overreliance on agency nurses and nurse overtime was associated with lower patient safety. The study, published April 2 in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data on quality measures for pressure ulcers and nurse staff overtime and agency use from 70 U.S. hospitals from January 2019 through December 2022. Researchers found that nearly half of the hospitals in the study utilized more nurse overtime and agency hours than was safe. The average hours exceeding safe thresholds for agency staff reached 140% and 63.6% for nurse overtime. Overuse of agency nurses and overtime hours was associated with increased rates of pressure ulcers. [Continue reading ...]
Leaders on leadership: 10 valuable lessons that will make you think
04/09/25 at 03:00 AMLeaders on leadership: 10 valuable lessons that will make you think Forbes; by Esther K. Choy; 3/6/25 In the last eight years as a Forbes columnist, I have interviewed leaders who have shared a great deal of insights on successful leadership. Here are 10 quotes on leadership that illuminate the concrete actions that successful leaders "do," not just "think" or "believe." These quotations are from leaders with a variety of backgrounds and business sectors — tech, finance, design, education, and research — but one thing that rings true through all their perspectives — successful leadership is about connection. [Quotes address these themes:]
Housing instability complicates end-of-life care for aging unhoused populations
04/09/25 at 03:00 AMHousing instability complicates end-of-life care for aging unhoused populations The Conversation; by Pilar Ingle, University of Denver; 4/7/25 Research estimates that one-third or more of the unhoused population in the U.S. is age 50 or older. Unhoused people of all ages face high rates of chronic and serious illness. They also die at younger ages compared with people who are not unhoused. Yet, there are few options for palliative and end-of-life care for unhoused people. ... In 2024, Colorado saw a 30% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness from the year before. Nationally, 771,480 people — the highest number ever recorded — experienced homelessness last year. As the number of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. grows, so too does the need for palliative and end-of-life care for these individuals. ... [Continue reading ...]
Leaders’ past experiences bring fresh perspectives to home-based care
04/09/25 at 03:00 AMLeaders’ past experiences bring fresh perspectives to home-based care Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 4/2/25 ... Home Instead isn’t the only home-based care company that has an eye for recruiting and leveraging outside talent. Multiple home-based care C-suite executives began their careers outside of health care and are now leveraging these past experiences to bring fresh ideas and strategies to their operations. Finance, journalism and fast food corporations are just a few examples of the industries that line the resumes of home-based care’s top executives. Home Health Care News heard from four home-based care executives and leaders who detailed their experiences working outside of health care, and the lessons they brought with them to benefit the industry. ...
A dying wish: Man with terminal cancer travels to volunteer in all 50 states
04/09/25 at 03:00 AMA dying wish: Man with terminal cancer travels to volunteer in all 50 states ABC-7 News, Bay Area, CA; by 4/6/25 When Doug Ruch was told he had just 12 to 18 months to live, he didn't choose to stay home. Instead, he hit the road - on a mission to help as many people as possible while he still can. "I thought to myself, I have two choices. I can sit at home and wait to die, or I can go out and live," he told ABC7 News. [Continue reading ...] Editor's note: For more, visit Doug's website, www.dyingtoserve.com.
10 healthiest, unhealthiest cities in 2025
04/09/25 at 02:00 AM10 healthiest, unhealthiest cities in 2025 Becker's Hospital Review; by Mariah Taylor; 3/31/25 San Francisco is the healthiest city in the U.S. while Brownsville, Texas, is the unhealthiest city, WalletHub found. WalletHub compared 182 cities, including the 150 most populated cities in the U.S. plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state, across four dimensions: healthcare, food, fitness and green space. ...
Nurse honor guard hoping to grow in South Dakota
04/08/25 at 03:15 AMNurse honor guard hoping to grow in South Dakota Sisseton Courier, Sisston, SD; by Brenner Cariveau; 4/4/25Nurse Honor Guard is a national organization which aims to honor the life of a nurse in funeral services. Traveling home, health and hospice nurse Laura Frankenhoff said the ceremonies help highlight the career of the nurses and is a way to ensure they are recognized for the work they have done as a nurse. Nurse Honor Guard has been performing ceremonies to honor the lives of nurses nationwide since their inception in the 1980s, Frankenhoff said. Regarding the honor guard, the base is made up of volunteers, according to Frankenhoff. "It's a volunteer chapter. You can make a chapter anywhere." Editor's note: Especially for pioneer hospice organizations--typically non-profits but definitely not all--do you honor those who laid the foundations for the work you're able to do now? If not, how can you? While nurses are absolutely core, how might you also honor your aides, social workers, chaplains, grief counselors, executives, office staff, and others who invested their talents and years in hospice care? May we remember. May we humbly thank and honor them.
Opportunities and barriers to artificial intelligence adoption in palliative/hospice care for underrepresented groups: A technology acceptance model-based review
04/08/25 at 03:00 AMOpportunities and barriers to artificial intelligence adoption in palliative/hospice care for underrepresented groups: A technology acceptance model-based review Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing; by Tuzhen Xu and Gloria M Rose; 4/2/25 Underrepresented groups (URGs) in the United States, including African Americans, Latino/Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans, face significant barriers to accessing hospice and palliative care. ... Findings suggest that AI has the potential to improve decision-making, enhance timely palliative care referrals, and bridge language and cultural gaps. Artificial intelligence tools were found to improve predictive accuracy, support serious illness communication, and assist in addressing language barriers, thus promoting equitable care for URGs. However, barriers such as limited generalizability, biases in data, and challenges in infrastructure were noted, hindering the full adoption of AI in hospice settings. Artificial intelligence has transformative potential to improve hospice care for URGs by enhancing cultural sensitivity, improving communication, and enabling more timely interventions. However, to fully realize its potential, AI solutions must address data biases, infrastructure limitations, and cultural nuances. Future research should prioritize developing culturally competent AI tools that are transparent, explainable, and scalable to ensure equitable access to hospice and palliative care services for all populations. [Continue reading ...]
Home hacks for geriatric dogs and cats
04/08/25 at 03:00 AMHome hacks for geriatric dogs and cats dvm360; by Tyler Carmack, DVM, CVA, CVFT, CHPV, CTPEP, CVPP; 4/4/25 As pets grow older, they encounter mobility, comfort, and overall well-being challenges that can significantly affect their quality of life. Anticipating and addressing these issues early can profoundly impact their later years. As a house call veterinarian dedicated to hospice and palliative care, the first thing I take note of when entering a new home is all the challenges that the patient faces to simply navigate their daily routine. Often, families are aware of some of these difficulties, but others often go overlooked or unnoticed. ... Here are some valuable "home hacks" to share with clients, ensuring their aging dogs and cats enjoy improved day-to-day comfort. ...
2 key trends shaping the hospice workforce in 2025
04/08/25 at 03:00 AM2 key trends shaping the hospice workforce in 2025 Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 4/4/25 Hospice providers have unveiled two key themes that are impacting the ability to sustain and grow their workforce. Staffing shortages have long topped the concerns of hospice executives nationwide. Rising demand for hospice care has been outpacing the supply of clinical resources for several years running. Labor strains have also mounted among nonclinical and back-office administrative, billing and IT roles. ...
What happens when someone passes at home? It depends
04/08/25 at 03:00 AMWhat happens when someone passes at home? It depends Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Bozeman, MT; Chris Remely "discussions with a funeral director"; 4/5/25 One of the most common questions we get asked as funeral directors is, “What happens if I pass away at home?” The answer is ... it depends. Home death is fairly common in the context of someone being on hospice care. For many individuals who have been given a difficult medical diagnosis that is terminal, they often prefer to be at home surrounded by loved ones for as long as possible. ... In this scenario, hospice will pronounce the death and work with the funeral home to transfer the individual into their care. ... However, when someone passes away at home and they are not on hospice, this is considered an “unattended death” — meaning a medical professional is not involved. In this case, the coroner’s office is required to investigate the death to determine the cause and manner of death — as well as pronounce the death. ... When someone from the coroner’s office arrives, they will do several things. They will visit with the next of kin and ask them questions about their loved one’s medical history and investigate the scene where the death occurred. Editor's note: Too often, hospices gloss over this all-important information for caregivers and families. Death is traumatic enough. Families are left in a lurch. Conflicts can erupt at the family's most vulnerable moments. Yes, timing and delivery for such sensitive information is important. Our sponsor Composing Life Out of Loss provides empathic, sensitive videos for hospice teams to use with caregivers and families, with interdisciplinary team guides for tending individuals' different readiness for education and preparation.
Trump administration continues to defend nursing home staffing mandate in court
04/08/25 at 03:00 AMTrump administration continues to defend nursing home staffing mandate in court McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Kimberly Marselas; 4/7/25 The federal government continues to defend a national nursing home staffing mandate in court, despite several members of the new presidential administration having expressed major concerns about the rule finalized in 2024. Department of Justice attorneys on Thursday again outlined their justification for the rule, telling the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services did not exceed its legal authority in dictating 24-hour registered nurse coverage and 3.48 hours a day of direct patient care from every US skilled nursing facility.
Build sustainable schedules to support physician well-being
04/08/25 at 03:00 AMBuild sustainable schedules to support physician well-beingAmerican Medical Association (AMA) - Physician Health; by Sara Berg, MS; 4/1/25Physician schedules often fail to block off the time required to complete nonpatient-facing tasks such as clinical documentation, patient messages and chart review. If this hidden time were accounted for, doctors could show that they have vastly reduced patient availability, given the amount of time that is required to complete these nonclinical tasks. ”Rather than reduce patients’ access to a doctor by blocking their schedules, it makes much more sense to delegate various tasks,” said R. John Sawyer, PhD, a neuropsychologist at Ochsner Health. [Continue reading ...]
[Spain] SECPAL and AETSyS will promote the recognition of social workers as health professionals.
04/08/25 at 03:00 AM[Spain] SECPAL and AETSyS will promote the recognition of social workers as health professionals The Spanish Association of Social Work and Health (AETSyS) and the Spanish Society of Palliative Care (SECPAL); Press Release; 4/4/25The Spanish Association of Social Work and Health (AETSyS) and the Spanish Society of Palliative Care (SECPAL) have announced the signing of a collaboration agreement to promote the recognition of social workers as healthcare professionals in the National Health System (SNS), highlighting their "essential role" in the field of palliative care and in all dimensions of healthcare. ... "We social workers have been working in healthcare for a long time. We are part of the World Health Organization's (WHO) definition of 'health', which integrates the biological, psychological and social. We complete this definition within the teams, addressing the social dimension of health," explained the president of AETSyS, Miguela Arévalo García-Gasco. ... [The] vice-president of Social Work at SECPAL, Alejandro González Peña, ... has stressed that the figure of the social worker in palliative care teams is "indispensable" for providing comprehensive, quality care, ... Editor's note: Further access to this Spanish press release is limited. The title's link goes to a February post, for which you may be able to translate to English via your computer or mobile device.
How unexpected empathy for the incarcerated inspired the Bonnie Raitt ballad she found difficult to sing
04/08/25 at 03:00 AMHow unexpected empathy for the incarcerated inspired the Bonnie Raitt ballad she found difficult to singAmerican Songwriter; by Tina Benitez-Eves; 4/3/25 Bonnie Raitt was moved to tears by a story she read in The New York Times Magazine in May of 2018. The article spotlighted a prison hospice program in Vacaville, California, where inmates work as caregivers for fellow terminal convicts. Raitt was surprised by her reaction to the intimate photographs and stories of volunteers devoting their time to those incarcerated at the end of their lives and began writing a story about some of the people who weren’t forgotten at the end of their lives, despite their crimes. [From] “Down the Hall” ...: I asked if they let family in / She said not really at the end / Truth is a lot don’t have someone, no friends or next of kin / The thought of those guys going out alone, it hit me somewhere deep / I asked could go sit with them, for some comfort and relief. [Continue reading ...]
Strong social connections improve older adults’ well-being regardless of setting, study finds
04/08/25 at 03:00 AMStrong social connections improve older adults’ well-being regardless of setting, study finds McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Donna Shryer; 4/7/25 Social connections, trust in others in their community and community cohesion significantly improve elderly well-being whether seniors live at home or in nursing facilities, according to a new comparative study published in BMC Public Health. However, researchers found that nursing home residents generally reported lower subjective well-being compared to their community-dwelling counterparts, even after accounting for health status and demographic factors. ... According to the authors, these findings “indicate the necessity for tailored interventions that address the unique needs of each care environment to promote healthier aging experiences. [Continue reading ...]
How hospices can avoid pitfalls in AI implementation
04/08/25 at 03:00 AMHow hospices can avoid pitfalls in AI implementation Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/4/25 Hospice providers, along with the rest of health care, are increasingly relying on technology for clinical and business operations, with artificial intelligence among the most common investments. However, careful implementation is necessary to effectively use these systems. ... One of hospices’ key goals with AI is to increase efficiency. This lean toward efficiency reflects larger trends in the industry as the labor pool dwindles. Without more boots to put on the ground, providers are seeking ways to get more productivity from the ones they already have in place. [Continue reading ...]
Today's Encouragement: The scars you share become ...
04/08/25 at 03:00 AMThe scars you share become lighthouses for other people who are headed for the same rocks you hit. ~ Jon Acuff
National Volunteer Week - April 20-26, 2025
04/08/25 at 03:00 AMNational Volunteer Week - April 20-26, 2025 National Volunteer Week is celebrated annually during the third week of April and this year it will be observed from April 20 to 26. This week-long celebration is about placing a spotlight on inspiring figures whose invaluable seeds of kindness through volunteering are bettering the community and our world in general. This significant celebration which was established in 1974 provides the perfect opportunity to say thank you. It also challenges us to do better and look for ways to be active participants, joining hands to impact our local communities and calling for more support. [Continue reading ...]
America's Health Rankings: 2024 Annual Report, State Summaries
04/08/25 at 03:00 AMAmerica's Health Rankings: 2024 Annual Report, State Summaries HHS.gov - 2024 State Summaries; data from the U.S. Government Human Health Services; retrieved from the internet 4/4/25[Examine current data for each U.S. state, and apply relevant information to the services you provide:]
The evolution of work: How Gen Z is reshaping leadership and workplace culture
04/08/25 at 02:00 AMThe evolution of work: How Gen Z is reshaping leadership and workplace culture Forbes; by First Place For Youth - Jayme Catalano; 4/2/25 As Generation Z enters the workforce in growing numbers, they are bringing fresh perspectives and expectations that are reshaping the traditional workplace. This digital-native generation, born between 1997 and 2012, is driving significant changes in management styles, work environments, and organizational values. Their influence is prompting companies to adapt, evolve and innovate, creating a new paradigm for the future of work.
What to do if a loved one is evacuated from a nursing home or assisted living
04/07/25 at 03:10 AMWhat to do if a loved one is evacuated from a nursing home or assisted living AARP; by Emily Paulin; 1/10/25, updated 1/23/25 Running from a wildfire is a terrifying ordeal for anyone. But there’s added fear for those who have limited mobility, rely on medical equipment or suffer from dementia and struggle to comprehend what is happening. ... Evacuating these vulnerable, high-needs residents is a complex and precarious operation. Family members may be unsure of how to find their loved one or what to do to support them in a disaster situation. We’ve gathered advice from disaster response and long-term care experts on five topics to help family caregivers navigate these situations.
Higher sedentary time linked to more chronic conditions, study shows
04/07/25 at 03:00 AMHigher sedentary time linked to more chronic conditions, study shows McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Kristen Fischer; 4/2/25 A new study showed a progressive increase in multimorbidity, or multiple chronic conditions, in people who spent more time sedentary (or not moving). When people limited their time being sedentary to under four hours a day, it was linked with a lower chance of multimorbidity. Findings were published Tuesday in Archives of Public Health. ... On average, 46.1% of participants were sedentary for one to three hours a day, while 9.4% of people were still for more than seven hours each day. When scientists put the data together, they noticed a clear trend: The longer time people spent sedentary, the more likely they were to have more health ailments. ... Systemic arterial hypertension, chronic spine problems and high cholesterol were the most common chronic conditions among participants. [Continue reading ...] Editor's note: What health/wellness support do you provide for your employees who spend hours upon hours at a computer? Do you provide innovative breaks? Walking groups? A roomwith exercise machines? Employee discounts for local gyms? Email me with your supportive solutions.