Literature Review
How you sit and rise predicts longevity
06/24/25 at 03:10 AMHow you sit and rise predicts longevityMedscape, by Jake Remaly; 6/18/25You might want to sit down for this — then stand up as smoothly as you can. The ease with which a person can sit on the floor and rise to their feet, using as little support as possible, may help predict how long they will live. Adults who aced the so-called sitting-rising test were far less likely to die of natural or cardiovascular causes over about 12 years of follow-up than those who scored the lowest, according to a study published online on June 18 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Night staff hailed for quick action when bear breaks into nursing home
06/24/25 at 03:10 AMNight staff hailed for quick action when bear breaks into nursing homeMcKnight's Long-Term Care News; by James M. Berklan; 6/9/25While caregivers at St. Andrew’s Village are well-versed in typical protocols for tending to seniors, it’s their quick-thinking response to some alarming adolescent behavior that has earned them the admiration of peers and the outside world. Nurse aides and other staff on the overnight shift deftly blocked access to most patient rooms and helped steer a 118-pound black bear out of their unit late Tuesday night at their life plan community 50 miles east of Pittsburgh.
New data and insights from the National Alliance for Care at Home: Alarming delays and declining access to Medicare home health contribute to worse outcomes
06/24/25 at 03:10 AMNew data and insights from the National Alliance for Care at Home: Alarming delays and declining access to Medicare home health contribute to worse outcomesNational Alliance for Care at Home press release; 6/23/25Medicare beneficiaries are waiting longer — and too often going without — the home health care they were referred after a hospital stay. This growing gap in access harms vulnerable seniors, is associated with highermortality, leads to more preventable ER visits and hospital readmissions, and increases Medicare costs.Publisher's note: Access may require membership login.
NIH grant funding losses, by state
06/24/25 at 03:05 AMNIH grant funding losses, by stateBecker's Hospital Review; by Mackenzie Bean; 6/19/25National Institutes of Health grant terminations have hit some states dramatically harder than others, with just three accounting for more than two-thirds of all rescinded funding this year, according to a June 17 report from Grant Watch... Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina absorbed more than 68% of these cuts, driven by significant funding losses at prominent research institutions such as Boston-based Harvard Medical School and Columbia University Health Sciences in New York City... Below is a state-by-state breakdown of NIH grant funding losses, offering a snapshot of where grant terminations are being felt the most.
Hospices unveil new locations serving homeless, diverse patient populations
06/24/25 at 03:05 AMHospices unveil new locations serving homeless, diverse patient populationsHospice News; by Holly Vossel; 6/23/25[New hospice locations highlighted in the article include:]
Rewriting the narrative around death: My Death Plan’s mission to redefine legacy
06/24/25 at 03:05 AMRewriting the narrative around death: My Death Plan’s mission to redefine legacyUSA Today; by Connie Etemadi; 6/22/25Death is one of the few certainties in life, yet it remains one of the most uncomfortable topics to discuss. The mere mention of it can feel morbid, taboo, or prematurely grim, something to be ignored until it’s looming. Dawn Norman, a seasoned attorney and the founder of My Death Plan, believes death shouldn’t be something to avoid, fear, or delay thinking about. It must be thoughtfully embraced as a natural part of life that deserves just as much attention as any other form of life planning.
Today's Encouragement 6/24/25
06/24/25 at 03:00 AMThree great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed. ~Albert Einstein[Publisher's note: This reminds me of Aldous Huxley's finding in The Perennial Philosophy - that human behavior can be reduced to two motivations - love or fear...]
National Alliance for Care at Home responds to Kennedy and Dr. Oz announcement on health insurance reform pledge
06/24/25 at 03:00 AMNational Alliance for Care at Home responds to Kennedy and Dr. Oz announcement on health insurance reform pledge National Alliance for Care at Home press release; 6/23/25“The Alliance welcomes today’s announcement made by Secretary Kennedy and CMS Administrator Dr. Oz regarding commitments from major health insurers to streamline prior authorization practices, including implementing enhanced digital interoperability standards and reducing administrative barriers,” said Dr. Steve Landers, CEO for the Alliance. “If these promises are fully kept, this could be a meaningful step toward addressing longstanding barriers that have delayed access to critical care at home for patients who need it.”
When the caregiver is gone: The hidden crisis in aging services
06/24/25 at 03:00 AMWhen the caregiver is gone: The hidden crisis in aging servicesMcKnight's Senior Living; by Derek Dunham; 6/23/25Families need to think beyond a single caregiver. A network of support — whether made up of family, friends, professional caregivers or senior living communities — is essential. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
AGG Talks: Home Health & Hospice Podcast Series
06/24/25 at 03:00 AMAGG Talks: Home Health & Hospice Podcast SeriesArnall Golden Gregory LLP; Jason Bring and multiple guests; 6/25Our podcast series features AGG attorneys and guests discussing business opportunities and legal issues for our friends in the home health and hospice industries. [Topics include:]
Addressing financial toxicity for patients and families facing serious illness
06/24/25 at 03:00 AMAddressing financial toxicity for patients and families facing serious illnessCAPC position statement; 6/23/25The U.S. is reaching a point of crisis in health care affordability. People living with serious illness in the U.S. are not only navigating complex medical conditions—they’re also facing overwhelming financial hardship. A new position statement from CAPC highlights that the prevalence of financial distress for patients and caregivers can climb as high as 53%, depending on diagnosis. The consequences of financial toxicity are staggering, manifesting in medical debt, low credit scores, and bankruptcy. Financial toxicity can also lead to delayed treatment, skipped medications, or other cost-related coping mechanisms that worsen health outcomes and increasing costs for hospitals and payers alike. CAPC’s new position statement outlines eight recommendations that can ease hardship for patients and caregivers, while improving financial stability for hospitals.Guest Editor's Note, Ira Byock: The importance of CAPC’s new position statement cannot be overstated. This report highlights one of the most difficult problems seriously ill patients and families encounter and goes further to provide tangible ways to diminish the impacts of financial toxicity to patients and the healthcare system. Key actions include routine financial screening and availability of trained financial navigators. The value of this statement extends well beyond palliative care; it should be considered must reading for leaders of hospitals, cancer centers, heart failure programs, and dementia treatment centers.
[Premier's tonight!] NPHI proud to announce its partnership on the upcoming documentary for PBS, Caregiving, from Executive Producer Bradley Cooper
06/24/25 at 03:00 AM[Premier's tonight!] NPHI proud to announce its partnership on the upcoming documentary for PBS, Caregiving, from Executive Producer Bradley Cooper National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; 5/19/25 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) is proud to announce its partnership on the upcoming PBS documentary Caregiving, a powerful new film executive produced by Academy Award-nominated actor, director, and producer Bradley Cooper. Created in collaboration with Cooper’s production company, Lea Pictures, as well as WETA Washington, D.C., and Ark Media, Caregiving will shine a national spotlight on the often unseen yet essential work of caregivers across the country. NPHI is honored to serve as a national partner on this important project. Narrated by Uzo Aduba (The Residence, Orange Is the New Black) and directed by Chris Durrance, Caregiving intertwines deeply personal stories of caregivers with the untold history of the American care system. The documentary examines how caregivers—often family members, friends, and frontline professionals—navigate the immense challenges and unseen achievements of their roles.
New! Pediatric e-Journal Issue #79
06/24/25 at 03:00 AMNew! Pediatric e-Journal Issue #79National Alliance for Care at Home press release; 6/23/25The 79th issue of the Alliance's Pediatric e-Journal - Community Bridge of Support - is available now! This issue focuses on ways in which individuals, programs, and communities can work together in support of pediatric hospice and palliative care. The e-Journal is available to all through the Alliance website.
Why one state banned corporate ownership of doctors’ offices
06/23/25 at 03:30 AMWhy one state banned corporate ownership of doctors’ officesModern Healthcare; by Michael McAuliff; 6/13/25As private equity investors and large companies such as Amazon and UnitedHealth Group acquire doctors’ offices at a rapid pace, states are considering tougher measures to stem what one senior legislator described as “relentless” consolidation in the healthcare sector. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) enacted a statute on Monday to strengthen the Beaver State’s longstanding “corporate practice of medicine” law. The new law effectively bars private equity firms and other companies from controlling physician offices and mandates that doctors own at least 51% of their practices.
Texas governor signs bill to significantly expand state’s medical marijuana program
06/23/25 at 03:25 AMTexas governor signs bill to significantly expand state’s medical marijuana programMarijuana Moment; by Kyle Jaeger; 6/21/25The governor of Texas has approved a bill to significantly expand the state’s medical marijuana program... The new law will expand the state’s list of medical cannabis qualifying conditions to include chronic pain, traumatic brain injury (TBI), Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases, while also allowing end-of-life patients in palliative or hospice care to use marijuana.
More hospitals turning to nurse practitioners. Here’s why
06/23/25 at 03:20 AMMore hospitals turning to nurse practitioners. Here’s whyMedscape; by Roni Robbins; 6/13/25The classic definition of a hospitalist as a primary care physician is rapidly evolving and the vast majority of hospital medicine groups today use advanced practice providers ... for adult care, according to the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM)’s latest industry reports... Physicians and NPs sharing hospitalist responsibilities are learning how to divide their duties, improve their professional relations, and maintain job satisfaction. Medscape Medical News consulted a handful of hospitalists about the pros and cons of the new staffing models.Publisher's note: An interesting article exploring NP roles that similarly applies to hospices.
Local hospice volunteer shares story of helping families through grief
06/23/25 at 03:15 AMLocal hospice volunteer shares story of helping families through grief edglentoday.com, Edwardsville / Glen Carbon, IL; by Sydney Sinks; 6/18/25A local BJC volunteer works with people in hospice care so they have a friend in their final days. Kathy Barrow [describes her time with a hospice patient], “To help someone else, that’s what it’s all about, really.” ... “I try to spend an hour [with the patient]. That’s not much out of a week for someone who’s on their way out of this world.” ... Over the past few months, she has helped him write cards for his family members, read to him, watched TV and played games. Her most recent visit was quieter; he didn’t feel up to talking ... . ... When she isn’t volunteering, Barrow spends a lot of time sewing teddy bears and quilts for grieving families. She will use a loved one’s t-shirt as fabric to create the teddy bears for their families. She shared that her mother always spoke about wanting a hug from a lost loved one, and she thinks about her mom as she creates these bears.
New online dementia care resources available for assisted living communities
06/23/25 at 03:10 AMNew online dementia care resources available for assisted living communitiesMcKnight's Senior Living; by Kimberly Bonvissuto;6/20/25Kimberly BonvissutoA growing number of people are living with dementia and receiving services in assisted living communities as well as in homes in the greater community. Although some states have requirements, some assisted living communities and home care settings may lack the formal dementia care standards required to be followed by nursing homes, so a nonprofit group has released a new toolkit of online resources to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. “It always bothered me that we were not paying attention to the growing number of people living with dementia outside of nursing homes,” Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition, said Tuesday during a webinar introducing the organization’s new Dementia Care in the Community toolkit. “Although the nursing home standards do not apply in assisted living and home care, every individual deserves the quality of care and services they need to live comfortably and with dignity.”
Meet winners of the Jennifer D. Hale Memorial Scholarship!
06/23/25 at 03:05 AMMeet winners of the Jennifer D. Hale Memorial Scholarship!Personal communication; 6/21/25Congratulations Dionne Carter, Old Dominion University!
How to prevent delirium by improving sleep for patients with serious illness
06/23/25 at 03:05 AMHow to prevent delirium by improving sleep for patients with serious illnessCAPC blog; by Jeremy M. Hirst; 6/11/25A palliative care psychiatrist shares eight behavioral interventions to improve sleep—and offers guidance on prescribing pharmacological treatments. Sleep is essential for rest and repair, but for many patients with serious illness, getting quality sleep is a struggle. Poor sleep can compromise functional status and contribute to or exacerbate the risk of delirium—a concern that's both commonly reported by patients and supported by research. As clinicians, we must address sleep to help prevent delirium, as it directly impacts mental clarity, healing, and quality of life. In this blog, I share behavioral interventions I've used to help patients improve sleep and discuss when pharmacological treatments may be appropriate.
BrightSpring’s president of hospice services resigns
06/23/25 at 03:00 AMBrightSpring’s president of hospice services resignsHospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/20/25Michael McMaude has resigned as the president of hospice services of BrightSpring Health Services, effective Friday. He will continue to provide services to the company as a non-employee consultant, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing by BrightSpring... BrightSpring is a home- and community-based health care services platform that serves more than 400,000 patients daily across all 50 states. The Louisville, Kentucky-based company provides hospice, home health, primary care, rehabilitation, pharmaceuticals, behavioral and home health. BrightSpring went public last year with a $1 billion initial public offering (IPO).
MedPAC releases June 2025 report on Medicare and the health care delivery system
06/23/25 at 03:00 AMMedPAC releases June 2025 report on Medicare and the health care delivery systemMedPAC press release; 6/12/25The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) today releases its June 2025 Report to the Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System. Each June, as part of its mandate from the Congress, MedPAC reports on issues affecting the Medicare program as well as broader changes in health care delivery and the market for health care services.
Do you know how to prepare for your digital life after death? CU Boulder’s student-run clinic has some advice
06/23/25 at 03:00 AMDo you know how to prepare for your digital life after death? CU Boulder’s student-run clinic has some adviceThe Conversation; by Dylan Thomas Doyle, Jed R. Brubaker; 6/10/25From family photos in the cloud to email archives and social media accounts, the digital lives of Americans are extensive and growing. According to recent studies by the password management companies NordPass and Dashlane, the average internet user maintains more than 150 online accounts. Individuals produce hundreds of gigabytes of data each year. But few people have plans for what happens to that digital legacy after they die. Unlike physical possessions, online assets often don’t pass smoothly from one generation to the next. Loved ones struggle to access important accounts or recover treasured photos. Many families face these challenges while already overwhelmed with grief.
In the passenger seat - The vital role of Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) in hospice care
06/23/25 at 03:00 AMIn the passenger seat - The vital role of Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) in hospice careIllinois Hospice and Palliative Care Organization podcast; 6/20/25We’re pleased to share the latest episode of In the Passenger Seat, where we explore the vital role of Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) in hospice care. In this thoughtful conversation, our guest speakers Rachael Miller and Allison Bush, of Lightways Hospice, share how Child Life professionals help children and families navigate the challenges of serious illness, dying, and grief.[Note: Link downloads this podcast.]
Today's Encouragement 6/23/25
06/23/25 at 03:00 AMTime is like a river. You cannot touch the same water twice because the flow that has passed will nver pass again. Enjoy every moment of life. ~Unknown