Literature Review

Being seen as a unique person is essential in palliative care at home and nursing homes: A qualitative study with patients and relativesAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Katrin Kochems, MSc, Everlien de Graaf, RN, PhD, Ginette M. Hesselmann, RN, MSc, and Saskia C. C. M. Teunissen, RN, PhD; 4/6/24Conclusion: In both primary care and nursing home care, patients and relatives expressed the same essential elements of palliative care. They emphasized the importance of being recognized as a unique person beyond their patient status, receiving honest and clear information aligned with their preferences, and having care organized to ensure continuity. Adequate competence and skills are needed, together with a care organization that enables continuity to provide safe and person-centered care.

Rate growth slows for SNFs, home care McKnights Senior Living, by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 4/17/24 Rates for both nursing home care and home healthcare grew more slowly in March than in February, according to Altarum’s monthly Health Sector Economic Indicators brief, released Tuesday. Nursing home rates increased by 4%, year over year, compared with 4.4% in February, while rates for home healthcare grew by 3.1%, down from 3.4% in February, George Miller, Altarum fellow and senior researcher, told the McKnight’s Business Daily on Tuesday. 

Remote SNF monitoring partnership promises 25 percent rehospitalization reduction McKnights Senior Living, by Josh Henreckson; 4/15/24 A new partnership between technology company Circadia Health and 81 skilled nursing facilities operated by Ciena Healthcare aims to significantly improve preventive care and reduce preventable rehospitalizations. Circadia’s C100 remote monitoring devices ... will be installed in residents’ rooms. They are capable of continuously monitoring key vital signs like residents’ breathing rate, heart rate and unusual motions and compare them with personalized profiles. 

Pilot program leads to 42 percent reduction in resident falls McKnights Senior Living, by John O'Connor; 4/15/24 A tech-based pilot program has helped Allegro Senior Living reduce resident falls by 42%, the company announced Thursday. As a result, the Grayslake, IL-based firm plans to expand the program to more of its 16 communities. For the pilot, Allegro partnered with SafelyYou. The tech-based firm uses a blend of AI video technology and around-the-clock remote clinical support. The combination helps  detect falls and identify underlying causes.

Half a century and 4 million meals haven’t slowed down this long-term care culinary king McKnights Long-Term Care News, by Josh Henreckson; 4/10/24For almost as long as there has been a Buena Vista Care Center in Santa Barbara, CA, Miguel Pulido has been there — making sure the residents of the nursing home are fed and happy. Pulido is fast approaching his 50th anniversary on the job, and the residents and staff at Buena Vista couldn’t help but celebrate. ... Buena Vista is a 150-bed facility with twice-daily mealtimes for residents. Its leaders estimate that Pulido has served around 4 million meals during his career.

Healthcare on the brink: navigating the challenges of an aging society in the United States  npj Aging, by Charles H. Jones and Mikael Dolsten; 4/6/24 The US healthcare system is at a crossroads. With an aging population requiring more care and a strained system facing workforce shortages, capacity issues, and fragmentation, innovative solutions and policy reforms are needed. ... Through a comprehensive analysis of the impact of an aging society, this work highlights the urgency of addressing this issue and the importance of restructuring the healthcare system to be more efficient, equitable, and responsive. 

Living to 100: Making Maryland a ‘Blue Zone’ The Baltimore Sun, commentary by Raya Elfadel Kheirbek; 4/5/24 In a bold stride toward redefining the approach to aging, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order in January aimed at expanding access to critical care and services for older Marylanders. ... At the heart of this initiative, dubbed Longevity Ready Maryland, is a comprehensive plan that transcends traditional state efforts focused solely on eldercare. Instead, it adopts a holistic, multisector approach that promises a transformative impact and enrichment in every dimension — health, financial security, social connectivity and purposeful living, irrespective of a Marylander’s socioeconomic status.

PACS Group could raise $400 million in IPOMcKnights Long-Term Care News, by Kimberly Marselas;   4/3/24PACS Group, one of the nation’s largest nursing home operators, could raise about $400 million in an initial public offering, according to a fresh round of documents filed this week. Utah-based PACS plans to offer 19.05 million shares of common stock when it goes public, with an estimated price of $20 to $22 per share. At the top of that range, the move to the New York Stock Exchange could net the company $429 million in value.

[Maine] Senate backs safe staffing bill with aim to increase patient safety, decrease nurse burnout Main Morning Star, by Lauren McCauley; 3/27/24 If passed, Maine would be the second state in the country to institute nurse-to-patient ratios. ... Sen. Stacy Brenner (D-Cumberland), who sponsored the bill, shared with the chamber her experience as a nurse and how the stress of being understaffed can contribute to burnout and what she described as “moral distress.” ... Brenner said the bill accomplishes two goals: increasing patient safety and increasing nurse retention. 

LTC planning’s power lies in relationships, not revenue Insurance NewsNet, by John McWilliams; 4/1/24 Long-term care planning is having a moment right now. There was a time when conversations with clients about their long-term care needs were like pulling teeth. No one wants to confront the point in their lives at which they will no longer be able to do the things they associate with independent life as an adult. Long-term care was a talk to have with people in their 60s. Now, I have those talks with folks in their 40s and 50s. What happened? 

Fall prevention for the elderly: 13 strategies to keep them safe U.S. News & World Report, by Claire Wolters, ed. by Christine Comizion, MPH; 3/26/24Falls are the leading cause of injury in adults 65 and older – with reports showing about 14 million adults fall each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ... According to the CDC, falls are also the leading cause of injury-related death in the 65-and-older population – and the fall death rate is growing.Here's what to know about what increases risk for falls in older adults, and get familiar with fall prevention tips and safety measures that can help reduce the risk.Editor's Note: This U.S. News article primes the pump. Preventing falls matters especially for vulnerable hospice patients as their disease progresses, and as they and/or family want the person to be as mobile as possible. What do your Incident Reports tell you about falls? What falls-specific education do you provide for your interdisciplinary teams? On-call staff? Family caregivers? Volunteers? What QAPI programs have addressed falls? 

Group homes: Pros and cons for senior care US News & World Report - Health, by Lisa Esposito; 3/25/24 You won’t walk lengthy corridors with identical rooms, or see a calendar chock-full of structured activities – but you may smell a home-cooked meal. For some older adults who need long-term care, group homes are providing a more family-style alternative to nursing homes or assisted living facilities. As with other long-term care options, group homes are licensed in their state and must meet certain standards.

Last Dance: Holland Home throws prom for retirees, end-of-life patients Fox 17 West Michigan, by Sam Landstra; 3/23/24 The timeless nature of the suit and tie was again proven on Saturday by senior promgoers at Holland Home as they danced with their longtime dates at the Grand Rapids retirement home and hospice care facility. ... Donning formal wear donated by Belding Beauties & Bro's, residents walked and wheeled down a fourth floor hallway in Holland Home, gathering in a room decorated with streamers and disco balls.