Sat.Jul 15, 2023 - Fri.Jul 21, 2023

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Top 5 Skills for Being an Effective Advocate for Older Parents

American In-Home Care

Being an advocate for older parents is one of the most important parts of being a family caregiver. Through advocacy, family caregivers ensure their loved ones' wishes are being honored and respected. But effectively advocating for older parents isn’t one innate skill. In fact, it is multiple skills combined that allow you to observe, communicate, and persevere on behalf of your loved ones.

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Is Palliative Care the Same as Hospice?

Melodia Hospice

People frequently confuse hospice care with palliative care. In actuality, hospice care incorporates palliative care. However, they can be provided as discrete services. Hospice vs. Palliative Care Definitions Hospice Care Definition Hospice care is defined as comfort care (as opposed to curative care) for terminally ill patients with a prognosis of six months or less … Is Palliative Care the Same as Hospice?

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Signs of Elder Abuse & How to Help | Caring Senior Service

Caring Senior Service

As the population ages in the United States, the issue of elder abuse becomes increasingly prevalent and concerning. Elder abuse refers to the mistreatment or neglect of older adults. Unfortunately, elder abuse is often at the hand of a caregiver or family member. It can happen at home or in an institutional health care setting, like a nursing home or assisted living facility.

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Penn Medicine Sets Out to Identify Best Palliative Care Models

Hospice News

Wide variation exists in the ways palliative care is delivered, but Penn Medicine is launching an extensive research project to determine best practices in the hospital setting. A central question in the controlled randomized trial is whether patients would benefit more from expanded access to specialty palliative care versus care from generalists who receive a certain level of training.

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The Ultimate Guide to Improving Caregiver Engagement & Retention

Want to learn how to retain your caregivers & improve caregiver retention X3? The home care industry is experiencing turnover rates of over 80%. How are you ensuring your agency is retaining caregivers? This FREE eBook from Smartcare Software is packed with industry secrets needed to keep your caregivers happy, engaged, and retained, unlocking the full potential of your agency.

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Hospices Gear Up to Reach More Heart Failure Patients, Enhance Quality 

Hospice News

The incidence of end-stage heart failure is expected to rise throughout the next decade, and hospices are preparing to serve those patients when they become eligible. The number of people who suffer from heart failure is expected to rise by 46% between 2012 and 2023, the American Heart Association (AHA) reported. However, hospice utilization remains relatively low for those patients.

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Patients With Dementia Face 2x Risk of Dying After ICU Discharge

Daily Nurse

Older patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) have almost twice the risk of dying soon after they are discharged from an intensive care unit (ICU) and within the 12 months afterward, according to research published in the American Journal of Critical Care ( AJCC ). Mortality and Discharge Location of Intensive Care Patients With Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementia examines data from a large, geographically diverse sample of patients enrolled in Medicare Advantag

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CMS Pilot to Conduct Medical Reviews of Hospice Stays Longer than 90 Days

Hospice News

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is conducting a small pilot program for post-payment reviews of hospice stays that exceed 90 days. The agency has contracted with Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC as its Supplemental Medical Review Contractor (SMRC). Noridian will perform the reviews and submit findings to CMS. “CMS internal data has identified a potential area of vulnerability beginning with the second benefit period, or 91st day in hospice,” Noridian indicated in an

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Managing Medications: The Crucial Role of In-Home Care Providers in Rockville, MD

Comfort Home Care

Managing medication can be daunting for seniors juggling multiple prescriptions, varying dosages, and different times of the day to take them. Add in potential side effects and drug interactions, dimished capacity due to dementia or Alzhiemer’s, and you have an overwhelming situation. S enior in-home care can be a lifesaver for those taking regular medications.

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CMS Proposes to Expand 36-Month Rule to Hospice Agencies

Healthcare Law Insights blog

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a Proposed Rule that, if finalized, would extend the application of the “36-Month Rule” from home health agencies (“HHAs”) to also include hospice agencies as well. The 36-Month Rule, found at 42 C.F.R. § 424.550(b), provides that where there is a change in majority ownership (“CIMO”) of an HHA by sale (including asset sales, stock transfers, mergers and consolidations) within 36 months after the effective date of the HHA’s init

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Book Recommendation: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse

Life & Death Matters

It is summer. Time for light reading. But also, a time for inspiration. I have just the book for you! The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse. The story of how these four beings come together, find friendship, share wisdom, love, and humour. When I first read it, I fell in love. I […] The post Book Recommendation: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse appeared first on Life and Death Matters.

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Hospices Likely to See ‘Uptick’ in RAC Audits

Hospice News

As federal regulators intensify their focus on hospices, operators may begin seeing an influx of Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) activity. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) contracts with RACs to conduct post-payment reviews designed to recover any funds that may have been overspent. RAC audits can re-examine hospice claims going back as long as three years — and more of them may be coming, according to Kelly Grahovac, general manager of The Van Halem Group, who spoke a

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He lost both his parents. Now, he’ll help kids and teens heal at Camp BraveHeart.

HopeHealth

After losing both parents within just a few months, Jay needed help coping with his grief. Now, he’ll help kids and teens cope with theirs. The post He lost both his parents. Now, he’ll help kids and teens heal at Camp BraveHeart. appeared first on HopeHealth.

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Telemedicine in a Post-Pandemic World: Joe Rotella, Brooke Calton, Carly Zapata

GeriPal

Summary Transcript Summary There’s a saying, “never let a crisis go to waste.” The pandemic was horrific in many ways. One positive change that came about was the lifting of restrictions around the use of telemedicine. Clinicians could care for patients across state lines, could prescribe opioids without in person visits, could bill at higher rates for telemedicine than previous to the pandemic.

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EAPC4All EU4Health Project

EAPC (European Association of Palliative Care)

In November 2022 the EU opened a call for non-government organsations working in the field of healthcare to submit applications for operating grants. The grants are to support the work of the NGO’s that contributes to the EU4Health programme. The EU4Health program is a comprehensive initiative launched by the European Union (EU) to enhance and safeguard the health of its citizens.

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Hospices in a Regulatory ‘Fight’ for Quality

Hospice News

Fraud, waste and abuse issues that have percolated in the hospice space have put providers up against some regulatory walls. Heightened scrutiny around hospice from regulatory agencies is not without warrant, but increased oversight can have adverse effects on the ability to provide quality care, according to Bill Dombi, president, National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC).

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Nurses with Disabilities: A Skilled Workforce

Minority Nurse

Nurses with disabilities find the nursing industry offers excellent career paths that help them fulfill their goals, regardless of disability. Whether nurses have a disability before they enter the workforce or become disabled after their licensure, they are needed to fill jobs and help broaden the diversity of the nursing workforce, says Karen McCulloh RN, BS , co-founder and co-director of the National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities (NOND).

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High Peaks Hospice - Untitled Article

High Peaks Hospice

The Tupper Lake community is building everlasting relationships with High Peaks Hospice Pictured: Back – Sara Desimone, High Peaks Hospice Administrative Manager. Front – Students representing LP Quinn Elementary’s 1st Grade Classes who raised $1,364, Nick George, High Peaks Hospice Executive Director Pictured: Cory LaQuay presents a check for $1,945.

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How Seniors Can Stay Safe In Extremely Hot Weather

Accessible Home Health Care

As summer peaks, the biggest concern for our senior loved ones centers on the heat and humidity levels. We still want to go outside and enjoy the fresh air, but not being aware of the weather could do more harm than good to our loved one’s health. We can enjoy the outside in many ways while being aware of how the heat affects our senior family members.

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Regulatory Pressures Contributing to M&A Slump

Hospice News

Regulatory challenges have contributed to the hospice sector’s current M&A slump, but this year’s volume nevertheless aligns with experts’ forecasts. In addition to those pressures, the industry is also in a cooling period in which companies focus on integrating the assets that many acquired during flurries of activity in 2021 and 2022, according to Mark Kulik, senior managing director at The Braff Group.

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Keeping Your Care Staff: Simple Strategies to Retain Care Staff for 5+ Years

Home Care Pulse

HCP WEBINAR SERIES Keeping Your Care Staff: Simple Strategies to Retain Care Staff for 5+ Years Wednesday, July 19th, 2023 Wednesday, July 19th, 2023 Wednesday, July 19th, 2023 2:00pm EST | 60 min 2:00pm EST | 60 min 2:00pm EST | 60 min At Synergy Home Care of Carlisle, PA, franchise owner Michelle Lisk’s very first employee is still working alongside her to provide care to their community.

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The Professional Nurse Advocate in Research Delivery

Evidence-Based Nursing - BMJ blogs

Pauline Brown is Lead Research Nurse for the Multi-Specialty Research Delivery Team at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Pauline has worked in research delivery for 13 years, she is passionate about professional learning, development, and quality improvement and recently qualified as a Professional Nurse Advocate. The roll out of the Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA), following the success of the Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA), refreshed my understanding of clinical supervis

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Honor Preceptors for the Difference They Make

Nurse.com

Because we’re not nurses, we can only imagine how frightening it must be for a new nurse with little clinical experience to face a patient and their family and be expected to function as a fully prepared registered nurse. How does a nurse’s limited experience and fear evolve into expertise and confidence, one may ask? Preceptors! Preceptors are the key to a smooth transition to competence for students, new grads, or experienced nurses moving from one specialty to another.

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The Forces Fueling the Palliative Care Market

Hospice News

Evolving demographic and economic forces have placed palliative care among the nation’s fastest growing health care sectors. Interest in the palliative care market has spiked in recent years, partly due to the value proposition these services offer to patients, families, providers and payers alike, according to Fred Bentley, managing director at health care consulting firm ATI Advisory.

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Home Care Pulse Expands Training Portfolio, Enhancing Volunteer Training for Hospice Care Providers

Home Care Pulse

Article Contents: – Introduction – One – Two – Three Article Contents: 1. Top 2. Why You Need a Differentiator 3. How to Differentiate Share: We’re Home Care Pulse, a leading provider of experience management & surveys, caregiver/CNA training, and online reputation management. R EXBURG, ID, July 19 – Home Care Pulse, a leading provider of workforce education and engagement applications for post-acute care and senior living organizations, has acquired Teaching Tr

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Jessica Borden Finds New Calling After Brother’s Death and Gift of Life to Others

Daily Nurse

After losing her brother and witnessing the gift of life he gave to others through organ donation, Jessica Borden, RN, BSN, found a new calling to help others in their time of need. The loss of her brother changed her life forever, and now Borden is a heart transplant coordinator at Memorial Hermann Health Systems in Houston, Texas. Daily Nurse is proud to recognize Jessica Borden as our Nurse of the Week , honoring the 10th anniversary of her brother’s passing and journey to become a transpla

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A Bluebird Mama Gives Me Faith in Nature

Elaine Mansfield

I watch the birds nesting near my home. Are they OK? Will a House Sparrow kill the Bluebird babies like it killed the Tree Swallows? I saved one newborn Swallow out of six in that nest. Then there are the Mourning Doves in a nest of sticks in the rain gutter outside my bedroom window. Will their two eggs survive the unrelenting rain? A few weeks ago, I noticed a Bluebird male perched for hours on the peak of the barn roof.

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Fortis Health, Grant Avenue Capital ‘Intensely Focused’ on Hospice Expansion

Hospice News

Home-based care veteran Rob Radics took the helm as CEO of Fortis Home Health & Hospice in May, and in the early days of his tenure is laser-focused on hospice growth. Radics’ 25-year career includes his founding of the hospice and home health company, Five Points Healthcare, which he led for nine years before selling the business. Most recently, he served as the president of the home health and hospice segments at Aveanna Healthcare Holdings (NASDAQ: AVAH).

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Nursing Best Practices: Caring for Disabled Patients

Diversity Nursing

Disability affects approximate 61 million , or nearly 1 in 4 (26%) of people in the United States. Including people with disabilities in everyday activities and creating accessible environments and equitable opportunities that support them in holding roles similar to their peers who do not have a disability is disability inclusion. Disability inclusion entails identifying barriers that potentially impact people with disabilities to independently live and be fully engaged in their communities.

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Why I Practice Dying: A Nurse’s Perspective

AJN Off the Charts

I’ve been fascinated by death as long as I remember. Just before I turned eight, my Grampa Lewis died. The event left a lasting impression on me. He had gone to the hospital, puffy and deteriorating from kidney disease, at age 56. I remember that Dad parked the station wagon with faux wood paneling in the hospital lot and we all got out and stood there in cold December sunlight.

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National League for Nursing to Induct 2023 Class of Fellows into the Academy of Nursing Education

Daily Nurse

Twenty-three distinguished nurse educators , including a former National League for Nursing president, have been selected for induction as the 17th class of fellows in the prestigious Academy of Nursing Education. Dr. Elaine Tagliareni, who joined the Academy with this class, served as League president from 2007 to 2009. The Academy was launched in March 2007 while Dr.

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Quality Data, Cost of Care Crucial to VBID Payer Negotiations

Hospice News

Having a detailed lens into quality metrics and service costs is a key for hospices that are searching for sustainable value-based payment pathways. Quality and cost data are important pieces to bring to negotiating tables with payers in value-based reimbursement, according to Joe Calcutt, CFO of Liberty Healthcare Management. Hospices that can demonstrate the ability to financially and operationally weather changes in an evolving reimbursement climate have a leg up on competitors in the value-b

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Healthcare Technology and Nursing: What You Should Know

Diversity Nursing

Although technology could never replace compassion and human interaction, it can significantly improve and streamline processes and procedures to ensure patients receive the best quality care. Healthcare technologies can make patient care better, easier, and more efficient, especially with a large patient load. Here are some current healthcare technologies you should get to know to help better provide Nursing care to your patients.

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Empower Nurses–They Will Lead the Way

Minority Nurse

Nursing is more than a profession. It’s a calling. And those who answer the call become the backbone of a high-functioning, compassionate health care system. People who become nurses are capable, compassionate, and strong scientists and clinicians who have worked hard to start their careers. Their expertise, patient care delivery, and commitment to the profession contribute a distinct perspective on how health care should be managed and delivered.

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When Alzheimer’s Symptoms Take a Turn for the Worse: Here’s Why

Home Sweet Home In-Home Care

When Alzheimer’s symptoms take a turn for the worse all of a sudden, there are some common causes that need to be addressed. Wouldn’t it be helpful if there was an Alzheimer’s care manual, with step-by-step information on what to anticipate at each and every stage of the disease? While there are several general commonalities in the progression of dementia, each person’s experience is unique.

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Dr. Amar Desai Takes Helm at Optum Health as New CEO

Hospice News

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) subsidiary Optum Health recently tapped Dr. Amar Desai as its new CEO. The change in leadership comes on the heels of Optum Health’s growing presence in the hospice and home health landscape. The company has acquired two of the nation’s largest providers — LHC Group and Amedisys Inc. (NASDAQ: AMED) — with price tags that reached $5.4 billion and $ 3.3 billion , respectively.

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A Pleasant Surprise

Today's Caregiver

I received a call this week from a gentleman from Philadelphia. I remember him from a previous phone call a few years ago. He is a dedicated caregiver for his wife who is living with Alzheimer’s disease.