Literature Review

Upskilling and retraining for talent innovation in the AI ​​era Tech Trends Post; 5/13/24 According to a report from the IBM Institute for Business Value, more than 60% of executives say generative AI will disrupt the way their organizations design customer and employee experiences. Employees must change to meet these demands. Many are turning to AI upskilling – the act of providing the workforce with the skills and training to use AI to do their jobs. ... A 2024 Gallup poll found that about 25% of workers worry that their jobs could become obsolete due to AI. ... [This article outlines the following:]

Medicaid 80/20 rule could drive surge in home care deals Modern Healthcare; by Diane Eastabrook; 4/10/24 Private equity firms and large home care companies could soon be going head to head to buy smaller personal care operators expected to exit the industry because of a new regulation. The potential for industry consolidation stems from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services rule that will require home care companies to spend 80% of Medicaid reimbursements on caregiver wages. Mergers and acquisitions advisers predict the so-called 80/20 rule, finalized April 22, could prompt many smaller operators to sell.

“Mental wellbeing is as important as physical wellbeing – both are interconnected” Marie Curie Hospice; by Anne Finucane, Marie Curie Senior Research Fellow, and David Gillanders, Senior Lecturer, Clinical Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 5/13/24 At least one in every four people living with a terminal diagnosis will experience depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder or low mood. Many more will experience distress because of deteriorating health and related uncertainty. Feelings of hopelessness, discouragement and even a desire for hastened death can occur. People have reported that psychological support helps them develop better coping strategies, helps them be more open to their situation and improves communication with their families and those involved in their care.Editor's Note: Executive leaders, what value do you give to your interdisciplinary team members and their contributions to patients' mental/emotional care? What advocacy, support and recognition do you have for your social workers, chaplains, counselors? What mental wellbeing measures do your employees experiences throughout your organization--and more directly--from your leadership with them? Perhaps it's time to "take the pulse" of your culture's mental wellbeing.

NAHC advocacy scores wins in CongressNAHC Newsroom; Press Release; 5/10/24Tireless advocacy by the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and our partners at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, has resulted in the approval of the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act (H.R. 8261) through the Ways & Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. While the committee advanced the legislation, it will still need to be passed by the full House of Representatives and the Senate as well. This first step was crucial to get the bill on the pathway to its ultimate enactment into law. This legislation provides:

Nurse practitioners improve skilled nursing's dementia care outcomes, but regulatory barriers remain: studyMcKnights Long-Term Care News; by Josh Henreckson; 5/13/24[Nurse pracitioners'] NPs’ involvement can significantly improve end-of-life care outcomes for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), according to the results of a new study in JAMA Health Forum. ... Those benefits, however, were shrunk by state regulations on the scope of care NPs are allowed to provide. ...  Elizabeth White, PhD, assistant professor of health services, policy and practice at Brown University [describes,] “For example, when a state restricts NPs from signing Do Not Resuscitate orders, that can serve as a barrier to advance care planning and could contribute to unnecessary hospitalizations at the end of life.” Editor's Note: We posted this JAMA Health Forum article on : Nurse Practitioner care, scope of practice, and end-of-life outcomes for nursing home residents with dementia. 

Maryland becomes sixth state to require salary, wage disclosures in job listings McKnights Senior Living; by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 5/10/24 Maryland soon will join five other states and the Washington, DC, in requiring employers to disclose salary or wage ranges upfront in job listings. Maryland’s requirement goes into effect Oct. 1. The states of California, Colorado, Hawaii, New York and Washington have similar laws in place, with the requirement expected to go into effect in the nation’s capital, on June 30. ... After a first violation, the employer will receive a warning. Fines for noncompliance range then will range from $300 for the second violation to $600 for subsequent violations. 

Beyond medicine: 'Being Mortal' challenges healthcare's approach to death and dying SwiftTelecast; by Shawn Butlere; 5/11/24 This video from the “Frontline” series, titled “Being Mortal,” follows Dr. Atul Gawande as he explores the complex relationships between doctors, patients, and end-of-life decisions. Based on his best-selling book “Being Mortal,” Gawande discusses how medical training often falls short in preparing doctors for the realities of death and dying. The documentary highlights personal stories, including Gawande’s own experiences with his father’s illness and death, to illustrate the challenges in balancing hope with realistic outcomes and the importance of quality life in the face of terminal illness. 

A Philadelphia pharmacy’s closure after 26 years highlights the industry’s growing challenges Times Daily; by Lizzy McClellan Ravitch, The Philadelphia Inquirerer; 5/11/24Last Monday, Friendly Pharmacy filled 318 prescriptions. For about 100 of them, insurance companies paid the pharmacy less than $3. In 22 instances that day, the reimbursement was less than the cost of the medication. ... [Managing pharmacist Brad] Tabaac plans to close his doors on May 31 after 26 years in business. ... Independent pharmacies like Friendly, as well as some chains, have been pinched by pricing and fees set by pharmacy benefit managers — the companies that handle prescription drug plans for health insurance. The three biggest pharmacy benefit managers are CVS Health, Optum Rx and Express Scripts. They control nearly 90% of the market, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), and some of their parent companies also own pharmacies.

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. - Chinese proverb

NHPCO and HAN secure significant policy victories in Congress NHPCO; Press Release; 5/10/24This week marked a series of triumphs for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and its advocacy arm, the Hospice Action Network (HAN), in collaboration with the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC). Notably, the trade associations spearheaded discussions with the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee, resulting in crucial advancements in telehealth flexibility for hospice care. The passage of the “Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act” through committee signifies a pivotal moment for the future of hospice care. ...HAN’s meticulous engagement with the Ways & Means Committee staff also successfully thwarted potential cuts, safeguarding the capacity of hospices to provide essential care to vulnerable populations. “With an aging population and escalating demand for end-of-life care, particularly in underserved regions, protecting hospice funding is imperative to guarantee compassionate and dignified care for all individuals in their final days,” said NHPCO COO and Interim CEO, Ben Marcantonio.Notable Mentions: Logan Hoover, NHPCO VP of Policy and Government Relations; Dr. Joseph Shega, Vitas' Chief Medical Officer

Two documentaries could bring attention, not all of it wantedMcKnights Senior Living - Editors' Columns; by Lois A. Bowers; 5/13/24 The past couple of weeks have brought news of two upcoming documentaries that promise to shine a spotlight on senior living, warts and all. One, “Caregiving,” will focus on professional and family caregivers “as the United States’ long-term care system threatens to tip into crisis,” according to public media station WETA. The two-hour film will debut on PBS in spring 2025. No doubt the project will draw attention because one of the executive producers is Bradley Cooper, who was a caregiver to his late father when he had lung cancer. "That was a wake-up call for me, ..." he said ... Another project premieres sooner — [today 5/14], in fact — on Paramount+. Whereas “Caregiving” includes someone famous, “Pillowcase Murders” centers on someone infamous, at least to the readers of McKnight’s Senior Living. The three-part docuseries is about the actions of convicted killer Billy Chemirmir, who was sentenced for two murders and suspected in the deaths of more than two dozen older adults in Texas, most of whom were women residents of senior living communities.

African Palliative Care Association: Annual Report 2022-2023African Palliative Care Association; 5/10/24 View and download the APCA Atlas of Palliative Care in Africa. It includes the following 5 "Impact Areas":

Obie the therapy dog promoted to chief morale officer at North Devon Hospice DevonLive; by Lewis Clarke; 5/10/24 A therapy dog has received his first official promotion after bringing comfort and smiles to patients, families, and staff at North Devon Hospice. Last month, pet therapy dog Obie was awarded the title of chief morale officer in recognition of his work helping patients and loved ones staying on the hospice’s bedded unit to enjoy cuddles and companionship. As well as being popular with those receiving care, Obie is also a welcome visitor for staff at the hospice.