Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Post-Acute Care News | Home Health News.”
HCS Home Care/Hospice Salary & Benefits studies underway
06/18/25 at 02:00 AMHCS Home Care/Hospice Salary & Benefits studies underway American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL); by Lisa Hohenemser; 6/17/25 Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) has announced the 2025 Home Care and Hospice Salary & Benefits studies are now underway. The Reports are recognized as the authoritative source for comprehensive marketplace data for home health + hospice agencies. Last year’s Home Care Report contained data from 1,079 home health agencies. The Hospice Report had data from 797 hospice agencies. Both studies include questions on staffing issues, nursing turnover/vacancy rates, and sign-on bonuses used by agencies to attract new employees. The results cover salaries/bonuses and hourly/per visit rates for 60 positions, with job data reported by auspice type, revenue size, region, state, and CBSA. Also included are 19 fringe benefits, planned salary increases, productivity/caseload, and data on visit and shift differentials. Directions to Participate in the HCS Home Care or Hospice Salary & Benefits Study: ... There is no cost to participate.
Families demand end to Medicare waiting period for early-onset Alzheimer’s patients
06/17/25 at 03:20 AMFamilies demand end to Medicare waiting period for early-onset Alzheimer’s patients Washington Examiner; by Elaine Mallon; 6/15/25 Jason Raubach was diagnosed at 50 years old with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease — a diagnosis that affects nearly 200,000 Americans. He received the diagnosis in 2018, completely upending life for his family. His youngest child was just a freshman in high school. ... Shortly before receiving an official diagnosis, Jason Raubach lost his job, having to move his family onto a consolidated omnibus budget reconciliation act health plan, or COBRA plan, which allows a person to keep their health insurance even after losing their job. “It wasn’t cheap,” Elizabeth Raubach said.However, once diagnosed, Jason Raubach had to wait two and a half years before he could receive coverage under Medicare, health insurance for those 65 years and older or those with qualifying disabilities. But Elizabeth Raubach, along with dozens of other caretakers for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, called on Congress in a letter to eliminate the 29-month waiting period required for those under the age of 65 to receive coverage under Medicare. ...
Medicare Home Health Care is the ideal platform for home-based palliative care at the end of life
06/16/25 at 03:00 AMMedicare Home Health Care is the ideal platform for home-based palliative care at the end of lifeJournal of Palliative Medicine; by Tessa Jones and Sean Morrison, with Guest Editor note by Ira Byock, MD; 6/10/25Recognizing the central role of HH as a de facto means of providing home-based palliative care—and strategizing how to integrate palliative care principles and education into it—holds the potential to expand access to palliative care services and improve the quality of end of life for older Americans. The authors identify four main barriers to successfully integrating HH into the suite of palliative care delivery models. First, the HH workforce lacks training in fundamental palliative care. Second, the current lack of ongoing physician involvement in the HH setting. Third, reimbursement. Palliative care services are often excluded from traditional payment models, particularly in the HH setting. Lastly, financialization of the HH sector. They say that integration of palliative care within for-profit HH agencies may require a strategic emphasis on financial incentives.Guest Editor Note, Ira Byock, MD: This academic oped extends the drumbeat toward alternatives to hospice care. Overcoming barriers to home-based palliative care requires steps that are strikingly similar to those needed to make hospice programs successful. The authors repeatedly refer to HH interdisciplinary teams. In fact, home health is a multidisciplinary model of service delivery that lacks the clinical synergy of high-functioning interdisciplinary hospice teams.
Dementia severity associated with unmet caregiving needs during skilled home health care
06/14/25 at 03:20 AMDementia severity associated with unmet caregiving needs during skilled home health careJournal of Applied Gerontology; Julia G. Burgdorf, Jennifer L. Wolff, Yolanda Barrón, Halima Amjad; 5/25One-third of home health care (HHC) patients have dementia. We examined 426,608 older (65+) HHC patients with dementia in 2018. Unmet caregiving needs were determined from HHC clinician reports indicating that (1) no caregiver was present (lack of availability) or (2) the caregiver needed training (lack of capacity). Most (83%) HHC patients with dementia experienced an unmet need for caregiving. Medicaid enrollment and depression were associated with lack of caregiver availability; greater clinical severity and being post-acute were associated with lack of caregiver capacity. Patients with high (compared to low) cognitive symptom severity had higher odds of unmet needs due to lack of caregiver capacity ... Findings illustrate the gap between dementia caregiving needs and capacity, highlighting the importance of supportive resources such as training.
Trends in home health care among traditional Medicare beneficiaries with or without dementia
06/14/25 at 03:15 AMTrends in home health care among traditional Medicare beneficiaries with or without dementiaJAMA Network Open; Rachel M. Werner, MD, PhD; Seiyoun Kim, PhD; R. Tamara Konetzka, PhD; 5/25In the US, nearly 7 million people live with Alzheimer disease and other dementias, a number that is expected to increase as the population ages. Although many people with dementia live in nursing homes or other institutional settings, institutional use is decreasing, and a growing majority of people with dementia are opting to live at home and receive care in the community. Home-based care is typically consistent with most people’s preferences and may be particularly important for those with dementia, as institutional settings and transfers can be stressful and disorienting.
His sick wife asked him to kill her. Now that she's gone, he says the loneliness is worse.
06/12/25 at 03:00 AMHis sick wife asked him to kill her. Now that she's gone, he says the loneliness is worse. USA Today; by Madeline Mitchell; 6/11/25 Ever since his wife died in December, David Cook feels like a stranger in his own home. ... The loneliness “is a problem,” Cook said, and sometimes he slips into dark, depressive episodes he can only shake with sleep. He avoids the living room, with the framed photos of the two of them smiling together, the new plush carpet, the television where they'd watch tennis and golf and the ghost of the recliner she used to sit in. Patricia Cook died there, so for now − maybe forever − it's off limits. ... When she went into hospice in their living room, adamant that she’d die in her own home, the pain was excruciating. “She actually, several times, asked me to kill her," Cook said. "And I didn’t even have to think about it, I just said, ‘I’m sorry.’ I said, 'I just can’t do that.’” “Do you know how hard that is?” Cook said. “When someone asks you to kill them?” ... Editor's note: Spoiler alert. David Cook did not kill his wife. Still, he asks, "What more could I have done?" Read this story to develop your understanding of the profound depths of loss for spouses/partners, especially when they have served as caregiver through challenging needs.
‘It’s going to be the expectation’: Alternative care models reshape home-based care
06/12/25 at 03:00 AM‘It’s going to be the expectation’: Alternative care models reshape home-based care Home Health Care News - Hospital at Home; by Joyce Famakinwa; 6/10/25 At-home care providers are looking to the future. This means seriously investing in alternative home-based care models, such as hospital-at-home and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). DispatchHealth, Contessa Health and Alivia Care are some of the organizations that have jumped headfirst into alternative home-based care models, enabling the creation of more comprehensive care delivery models. While alternative care models come with inherent challenges, including a complex regulatory environment and higher capital investments, these models are set to become an expectation for home-based care providers.
From hospital to home: Mastering transitions of care and preventing re-hospitalizations
06/11/25 at 03:00 AMFrom hospital to home: Mastering transitions of care and preventing re-hospitalizations Mayo Clinic; by Mayo Clinic Press Editors; 6/3/25 Physically moving from one healthcare setting to another — whether it be from the hospital to rehab, or rehab to nursing home — can be a complicated process, both logistically and emotionally. And in the midst of all of that hubbub, it can sometimes be hard for the person in the center of it all to feel like they’re properly being heard. On this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Maria De la Garza talks about the commonality of communication errors between health providers during care transitions, the importance of caregivers and loved ones in the process, a how to center the patient and their wishes in their care.
[Wales] 'Breaking point' as people in last 12 months of life occupy 'almost a fifth of Welsh hospital beds'
06/11/25 at 03:00 AM[Wales] 'Breaking point' as people in last 12 months of life occupy 'almost a fifth of Welsh hospital beds' Sky News; 6/3/25 People in the last 12 months of their life occupy "almost a fifth of Welsh hospital beds", according to a end of life care charity. Marie Curie Cymru says end of life care in Wales is "at breaking point" and is calling on the next Welsh government to ensure high-quality care. The charity says that, for many, support could be better provided at home or close to home, as it launched its manifesto for next year's Senedd election at Cardiff Bay's Norwegian Church on Tuesday. Gareth Miles died at home in Llanddarog, Carmarthenshire, in September 2023. Mr. Miles, who had Parkinson's disease, had spent 10 weeks in hospital before his last week.
7 strategies to reduce workplace incivility, bullying in hospitals
06/10/25 at 03:00 AM7 strategies to reduce workplace incivility, bullying in hospitals Becker's Hospital Review; by Kristin Kuchno; 6/6/25 Workplace incivility and bullying have persisted in healthcare since their uptick during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, so do the challenges teams face, according to Brian Reed, vice president and chief human resources officer for Indianapolis-based Indiana University Health’s east region. ... Here are seven strategies to reduce workplace incivility among healthcare teams:
Summerlin Hospice and Palliative Care transforms hospice care in Las Vegas with comprehensive in-home services
06/10/25 at 03:00 AMSummerlin Hospice and Palliative Care transforms hospice care in Las Vegas with comprehensive in-home services East Coastsentinel; Press Release; 6/8/25 The healthcare industry is experiencing significant advancements as Summerlin Hospice and Palliative Care announces the expansion of comprehensive services that redefine compassionate end-of-life care throughout Nevada. ... The in-home care model provides comprehensive medical oversight, including pain management, regular health assessments, and specialized medical testing, all administered by trained healthcare professionals. This approach to hospice allows families to remain together while receiving the highest quality medical attention and emotional support throughout the care process.
Home health provider Intrepid USA files for bankruptcy
06/05/25 at 03:00 AMHome health provider Intrepid USA files for bankruptcy Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 6/3/25Home health and hospice provider Intrepid USA has recently filed for bankruptcy. The company filed a petition for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the Southern District Court of Texas in late May, according to court documents. Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy results in a straight liquidation, according to Adam Stein-Sapir, a bankruptcy expert at Pioneer Funding Group LLC. ... In 2024, New Day Healthcare acquired Intrepid USA’s hospice operations in Missouri and Texas. Prior to these sales, Dallas-based Intrepid USA operated more than 60 home health and hospice locations across 17 states.
10 Signs death is near for dementia patients
06/04/25 at 03:00 AM10 Signs death is near for dementia patients The Healthy; by Dr. Patricia Varacollo, DO; 6/2/25 For families and caregivers, recognizing the final stages of dementia can be difficult, but understanding the signs can help ensure comfort and dignity in a loved one's last days. Dr. Koncilja highlights these key indicators that may suggest the end of life is near:
Telehealth use by home health agencies before, during, and after COVID-19
06/02/25 at 03:00 AMTelehealth use by home health agencies before, during, and after COVID-19 National Institutes of Health, published by Wiley Online Library; by Dana B. Mukamel, Debra Saliba, Heather Ladd, Melissa A. Clark, Michelle L. Rogers, Cheryl Meyer Nelson, Marisa L. Roczen, Dara H. Sorkin, Jacqueline S. Zinn, Peter Huckfeldt; 5/22/25
Why CMS’ GUIDE Model could move home care from side act to main stage
06/02/25 at 03:00 AMWhy CMS’ GUIDE Model could move home care from side act to main stage Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 5/29/25 The Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model might be one of the biggest steps in the right direction for recent Medicare policy. The eight-year voluntary nationwide program was launched last year by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), with the goal of supporting individuals living with dementia, as well as their unpaid caregivers. The program’s focus is more important than ever, with an estimated 6.7 million people living with dementia. This amount is expected to skyrocket to 14 million cases by 2060, according to data made available by CMS.
A ‘cloak of comfort’: an integrated approach to palliative care for cancer patients
05/30/25 at 03:00 AMA ‘cloak of comfort’: an integrated approach to palliative care for cancer patients Sinai Health; 5/26/25 At Mount Sinai Hospital, palliative care is fully integrated into cancer care, providing comprehensive, person-centered support for those with advanced illness. Palliative care, derived from the Latin pallium meaning “cloak,” offers comfort and support to individuals with serious illnesses. Often misunderstood as solely end-of-life care, it actually provides relief at any stage of a life-threatening illness and can be provided in tandem with cancer treatment. This holistic approach addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, aiming to improve quality of life for both patients and their families. In fact, early integration of palliative care can enhance symptom management, extend life and offer greater support to caregivers. Patients can receive care at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Cancer Care Clinic, at home through the Temmy Latner Centre’s home palliative care program, and in the palliative care unit at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital.
From an old ambulance, they help the growing homeless population
05/28/25 at 02:30 AMFrom an old ambulance, they help the growing homeless population CT Mirror; by Ginny Monk; 5/25/25 The needs of the unhoused are becoming more complex, and the fight for state support is fierce. ... Launched in 2021, the [Neighborhood Health workers] team drives a refurbished ambulance to shelters or encampments, then provides health care on-site for people experiencing homelessness. They’re out nearly every day. In recent months, as more people, particularly seniors, have lost their housing, health workers are finding that the cases they handle are more complicated. People often have multiple diagnoses, and with older age groups, there are often health complications that make the illnesses or injuries harder to treat. Sometimes, conversations are veering to end-of-life care. These conversations between health care professionals and patients are poignant as state lawmakers debate funding for the systems that offer shelter and other services for the unhoused population. ...
Home care workers could be a secret to savings, value-based care
05/28/25 at 02:00 AMHome care workers could be a secret to savings, value-based care Modern Healthcare; by Diane Eastabrook; 5/20/25 ... About 3.9 million workers provide personal care services, such as bathing, toileting, grooming and meal preparation to patients in their homes, according to the Labor Department. While those workers don’t typically provide medical services, they often spend more time with patients than healthcare providers and can offer valuable insight into patients' conditions, said Kristen Wheeler, executive director of home care for the National Alliance for Care at Home. “They will be the first to recognize when something has changed. These caregivers can report back and are a critical part of the healthcare team," Wheeler said. ... That can lead to faster — and less costly — care. The Labor Department estimates the U.S. will need another 800,000 home care workers over the next decade as the population ages.
Hospice propelling growth for publicly traded home-based care companies
05/27/25 at 03:00 AMHospice propelling growth for publicly traded home-based care companies Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 5/23/25Hospice has emerged as a growth engine for publicly traded home-based care companies, several of which are on the hunt for acquisitions. Hospice has buoyed growth for several companies as they battle home health-related headwinds, including reimbursement pressures. Companies like VITAS Healthcare (NYSE: CHE), which only provide hospice and palliative care, also saw substantial growth. ... VITAS attributes the revenue growth to an 11.9% increase in days-of-care and a geographically weighted average Medicare reimbursement rate increase of approximately 3.2%. Hospice is also fueling growth at Addus Homecare (Nasdaq: ADUS). ... Similar trends exist for other publicly traded companies, including Aveanna Healthcare (Nasdaq: AVAH), Enhabit Inc. (NYSE: EHAB), The Pennant Group (Nasdaq: PNTG) and BrightSpring Health Services (Nasdaq: BTSG).
Dover Hospice celebrates ribbon-cutting ceremony
05/27/25 at 03:00 AMDover Hospice celebrates ribbon-cutting ceremony The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Glen Carbon, IL; by Karla Vasquesz Mejia; 5/25/25Dover Hospice in Glen Carbon had its ribbon-cutting ceremony on the afternoon of May 19. Employees of the new center at 2 Ginger Creek Village Drive in Glen Carbon were accompanied by the EdGlen Chamber of Commerce and family members of the employees. Executive Director Page Belongy said Dover Hospice, began in St. Louis two years ago after branching out from Cedarhurst Assisted Living.
BrightSpring Health Services (NASDAQ:BTSG) Q1 earnings: Leading the senior health, home health & hospice pack
05/27/25 at 03:00 AMBrightSpring Health Services (NASDAQ:BTSG) Q1 earnings: Leading the senior health, home health & hospice pack StockStory; by Jabin Bastian; 5/22/25 The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how BrightSpring Health Services (NASDAQ:BTSG) and the rest of the senior health, home health & hospice stocks fared in Q1. ... The 7 senior health, home health & hospice stocks we track reported a strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.3%. ...
Exploring the impact of acquisition on quality of care among US home health agencies
05/24/25 at 03:00 AMExploring the impact of acquisition on quality of care among US home health agenciesHealth Services Management Research; by Debra Winberg, Jillian Torres; 5/25Throughout the United States and Europe, the home health care industry is rapidly consolidating, with merger and acquisition (M&A) activity on the rise. The consolidation of the industry raises questions about the impact that diminished competition may have on the quality of care being delivered. This study examines the impact of home health agency acquisition on quality of care among a sample of 10,184 home health agencies across the United States. Utilizing publicly available data from the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) and the Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) from 2018 to 2022, this study investigates changes in clinical outcomes, organizational process measures, and patient experience. The findings suggest there is a modest 1.07 percentage point improvement in process measures post-acquisition, but no significant changes in outcome or patient experience measures among the 169 agencies that were acquired during the study period. These findings suggest that, while integration has the potential to modestly improve home health process efficiency, there is very little benefit to patients.
Alliance, Aetna & MissionCare collective unite to strengthen direct care workforce
05/22/25 at 03:00 AMAlliance, Aetna & MissionCare collective unite to strengthen direct care workforce HomeCare, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 5/19/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (The Alliance), Aetna Medicaid, a CVS Health company, and MissionCare Collective have begun a collaborative effort to increase access to home health care for older adults and those with disabilities, and increase supports for direct care workers in Illinois, Louisiana and North Carolina. Initially launching in Illinois, Louisiana and North Carolina, the pilot program is funded by Aetna and brings together two national providers committed to transforming care delivery at home. The Alliance represents providers across homecare, home health, hospice and palliative services, serving as an advocate for care delivered where people live. MissionCare Collective, a workforce innovation provider, offers a suite of solutions designed to build, retain and support the care workforce at scale.
‘We need you to work with us’: Home health providers renegotiate better Medicare Advantage deals
05/22/25 at 03:00 AM‘We need you to work with us’: Home health providers renegotiate better Medicare Advantage deals Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 5/20/25 As Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment continues to surge, home health providers have seen slim margins deteriorate further. Some providers have openly expressed their decision to reject financially unsustainable MA contracts. Abandoning unfavorable MA contracts may sometimes be necessary, industry executives told Home Health Care News. However, some providers have improved their MA standing by renegotiating rates or returning after walking away, leveraging data and understanding the needs of payer partners. “We have walked away, in specific states, from payers and Medicare Advantage groups because of rates and the inability to raise those rates, and pre-authorization terms,” G. Scott Herman, CEO of New Day Healthcare, told HHCN.
You might live to be 100. Are you ready?
05/21/25 at 03:00 AMYou might live to be 100. Are you ready? The Guardian; by Andrew J. Scott; 5/15/25 Ethel Caterham, at the age of 115 years, is said to be the oldest person alive. She offers the sage life advice to “say yes to every opportunity because you never know what it will lead to. Have a positive mental attitude and have everything in moderation.” When she was born in 1909, the average life expectancy of a British female was 52 years – becoming a centenarian was a remote prospect. ... Today, according to the United Nations, centenarians are the fastest growing age group. By 1950, there were an estimated 14,000 whilst today there are nearly 750,000, projected to reach nearly 4 million by 2054. ... Today, there is too large a gap between average lifespan and healthspan. The number of years we are likely to live has increased more than the number of years we are likely to remain healthy. Reducing this gap is critical for seizing the advantages of longer lives.