Literature Review

Bonners Ferry Class of 1991 celebrates classmate in hospice care Coeur d'Alene/Post Falls Press, Coeur d'Alene, ID; by Staff Report; 8/26/24 No amount of time or distance can weaken the bonds of true friendship. The Bonners Ferry High School Class of 1991 proved that recently when they gathered at Hospice of North Idaho’s Schneidmiller House for a surprise reunion. Teresa Skeen, 52, is battling terminal cancer, ... buoyed by the support of family and friends who have visited day and night since she was admitted to hospice care at Schneidmiller House. She often spoke fondly of her high school years, reminiscing about the close-knit Bonners Ferry community and the cherished friendships she forged at school. “When we heard about her diagnosis, we knew we had to do something special for her, something that would remind her of how much she means to us,” said Laura, a friend and classmate. ... Unbeknownst to Skeen, her classmates worked with Schneidmiller House staff to plan a special celebration. ...

Austin architects unveil plans for rare pediatric respite and hospice facility CultureMap Austin, TX; by Brianna Caleri; 8/26/24 Few people want to think about the end of a child's life, but pediatric care is a need nonetheless — and it's an underserved one. According to Children's Respite Homes in America, as of 2023, there were only six of such homes in the United States, which makes the plans unveiled at the August 24 Abbey Lights Up COTA Gala incredibly unique. ... The first of its kind in Central Texas, Abbey House will serve as a pediatric respite and hospice facility, meaning that it will provide full-time care to children at various stages of their illness, giving family members a chance to catch up on life outside of medical settings. ... “What we have found is that the design has to find balance between two potentially conflicting concepts – respite and hospice,” said Dr. Patrick M. Jones of Dell Children's Medical Center in a press release. He's the section chief of pediatric palliative care.

A place for peace; After a year closed, Homestead Hospice House is working to reopen[Southern MN] People's Press; by Annie Harman; 8/23/24The news came to a shock to the community when it was announced last summer the Homestead Hospice House atop the hill behind the Owatonna Hospital would be closing. But, as with most things, there is a silver lining, and the Hospice House Board asserted the closure of the facility would lead to a new opportunity. “When we got the news it was shocking, but we always hoped it would lead us to a better situation,” said Kasey Kamholz, president of the HHH Board, on the decision by Allina Health to discontinue services at the facility in 2023. “Now we have an opportunity with Seasons Hospice that feels like a perfect marriage. They will bring their experience a little further out, and in the end it will benefit everyone.” Seasons Hospice, a nonprofit hospice care organization based out of Rochester, moved into Steele County to provide services in Owatonna and Blooming Prairie in April. With home-based services being their current program provided locally, including at a private residence or a senior living facility, Executive Director Kristina Wright-Peterson said they identified early on an interest to partner with the HHH Board, also a nonprofit, to reopen the Owatonna facility. Seasons Hospice has a 24-hour care facility in Rochester, Seasons Hospice House.

NPHI congratulates Dr. Steven Landers on his appointment as CEO of the NAHC-NHPCO AllianceNational Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI); by Rom Koutsoumpas and Carole Fisher; 8/26/24 Senior leaders of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation, the national voice for nonprofit advanced illness care, shared the following statement regarding the appointment of Dr. Steven Landers as the inaugural CEO of the newly merged NAHC-NHPCO Alliance:

Dr. Joe Rotella, AAHPM: The importance of being human – Reflections of an aspiring medical humanist American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; Event Details; retrieved from the internet 8/23/24The Importance of Being Human - Reflections of an Aspiring HumanistDate: September 17, 2024Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm CTGrand Rounds free; Non-Members $49.00 USD

Hospice of the Ozarks introduces Care Coaching, a free non-medical support program KTLO.com; by KTLO staff; 8/22/24 Hospice of the Ozarks is offering a free Care Coaching service to provide an extra layer of support to patients with serious illness. The program aims to assist and encourage participants until recovery or end of life. Primarily designed as a call service, coaches will also visit with clients in person during the initial assessment period. Carol Jackson, care coach at Hospice of the Ozarks, says the service uses a three pronged approach. Jackson says the care provided is individualized for each client in order to serve them best. The Care Coaching service can also help patients with a wide variety of needs, such as medicine, insurance, transportation, food, in-home care, paperwork and follow-ups on doctor’s visits. Jackson gives examples of what she can do for her clients.

Transforming hospice care: The evolving role of medical directorsCHAPcast podcast; by Jennifer Kennedy, Daniel Maison; 8/21/24How have federal regulatory changes reshaped the role of hospice medical directors from mere formalities to key players in patient care and organizational leadership? Join Jennifer Kennedy and our esteemed guest, Dr. Daniel Maison, as we unpack the historical "three S's" and explore the significant transformations driven by CMS regulations. You'll gain valuable insights into the evolving responsibilities of hospice medical directors, highlighting their integral contributions to both operational and clinical aspects within hospice organizations.

Bridgeway Hospice’s new nonprofit ensures access to care Hays Free Press, Buda, TX; by Megan Navarro; 8/21/24 To ensure that members of the community have ease of access to the care that they need, a new nonprofit has been established out of a local hospice service in Buda: Bridgeway To Care Foundation. “We’ve had the hospice for three years — Bridgeway Hospice — and then we have our home health, which is Be Healthy At Home; we established that in 2008. We just saw a certain number of clients that are going without care or kind of falling in between either Medicare age or not being able to utilize their hospice benefit, whether because they’re [younger] than 65 or they’re continuing to seek treatment, such as chemotherapy,” said Brandis Wilmore, president of Bridgeway Hospice. 

Credit Unions of Maui raise $38,000 at annual golf tournament to benefit hospice Maui The Maui News; 8/21/24  The Credit Unions of Maui hosted their 9th Annual Charity Golf Tournamenton Aug. 10, 2024, at The Dunes at Maui Lani. This year’s annual event brought together 144 golfers and community supporters, resulting in a remarkable $38,000 raised to benefit Hospice Maui, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing compassionate end-of-life care for Maui residents. The tournament exceeded expectations, with participants enjoying a day of friendly competition, prizes, and philanthropy. The funds raised will directly support Hospice Maui’s mission to offer comprehensive hospice and palliative care, including medical services, emotional support, and grief counseling, to individuals and families in need.

Bristol Hospice opens 4 de novos in 7 days Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/19/24 Bristol Hospice has opened four new locations within a single week in three different states. Two of the de novos have launched in Texas in the Rio Grande Valley and Austin communities. The remaining two are in Bangor, Maine and Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Bristol Hospice, which is backed by the private equity firm Webster Equity Partners, employs more than 3,000 staff in close to 80 locations across 18 states. The company has been a prolific buyer in the M&A market, but more recently has leaned harder into its de novo strategy.

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union awards Home Health & Hospice Care $2,024 for National Nonprofit Day CUInsight, Lowell, MA; by Robin Lorenzen; 8/20/24 Home Health & Hospice Care was selected as the winner of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union’s National Nonprofit Day campaign. The organization received a $2,024 donation as the winning prize. National Nonprofit Day was celebrated on Saturday, August 17. The campaign, which is part of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union’s Small Acts That Give Back initiative, ran from July 15 through August 2. Community members nominated their favorite local 501(c) (3) nonprofits for the chance to win a $2,024 donation. ... “We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this generous donation from our friends at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union; this support is crucial in supporting our Access To Care Programs,” remarked Paula J. Telage, Director of Corporate Giving at Home Health & Hospice Care.

Nationwide home healthcare and hospice provider to pay $3.85M to resolve False Claims Act allegations U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs; Press Release; 8/20/24 Intrepid U.S.A. Inc., headquartered in Dallas, and various wholly-owned subsidiaries (Intrepid) have agreed to pay $3,850,000 to resolve allegations that Intrepid violated the False Claims Act in connection with two lines of its business: first, that Intrepid knowingly submitted claims to Medicare for home healthcare services for patients who did not qualify for the Medicare home healthcare benefit or where services otherwise did not qualify for Medicare reimbursement; and second, that Intrepid knowingly submitted claims to Medicare for patients who did not qualify for the hospice benefit. The settlement is based on Intrepid’s ability to pay.