Flourishing at the end of life 
Public Discourse - The Journal of the Witherspoon Institute; by Xavier Symons, John Rhee and Tyler VanderWeele; 9/5/24 
Dying is part of life, but most people dread their final days. The end of life, which often takes the form of protracted terminal illness, can involve significant pain and suffering as well as functional limits in day-to-day living. Is it still possible for human beings to flourish at the end of life? ... While dying may be a time when agency and quality of life are limited, the end of life also presents unique possibilities for the realization of human goods. Some dying patients discover meaning by reflecting on the events of their lives and come to a deeper appreciation of their own life legacy. Terminal illness also presents opportunities for a deepening of close social relationships and the fulfillment of relationship commitments. Paradoxically, the end of life can be a catalyst for gratitude and self-transcendence. It is worth asking, then: can we flourish even as we approach death? And how can we help our loved ones flourish in their final days? 
Editor's note: Take your time with this excellent essay, as it gets to our collective, core hospice mission, as described by Dame Cicely Saunders: "You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully but also to live until you die." 

Inclusive leadership: Fostering diversity and inclusion 
Forbes; by Lynda Silsbee and the Forbes Coaches Council; 9/5/24 
In today's work world, diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords—they are essential components of a successful and innovative organization. Inclusive leadership, which actively seeks to embrace diversity and create an environment where all individuals feel valued and empowered, is critical to fostering this philosophy. Leaders who prioritize inclusion can harness the full potential of their teams, driving creativity, engagement and productivity. ... A study by Bersin by Deloitte shows that inclusive and diverse companies have "2.3 times higher cash flow per employee" and smaller businesses enjoyed 13 times higher cash flow. In addition, these companies had greater readiness for change and innovation. Inclusive leadership goes beyond the representation of different demographics within an organization. It involves creating a culture where diverse perspectives are actively sought out, respected and integrated into decision-making processes. Such leadership fosters a sense of belonging, where everyone feels valued for their unique contributions.

Our Hospice raises $80,000 from Labor Day weekend concert 
Local News Digital, Columbus, IN; by LND Staff; 9/5/24 
Our Hospice of South Central Indiana says the 2024 Our Hospice Summer Concert held last Saturday at the Circle K Fieldhouse at NexusPark, netted $80,000 for the support of patients and families served by Our Hospice and Palliative Care. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended the concert and contributed to this amazing cause,” said Steph Cain, President, of Our Hospice and Palliative Care. “The funds raised will directly support our mission of providing compassionate care to patients and their families during their most difficult times.” The Our Hospice Summer Concert is the year’s largest fundraiser, providing support for the almost 300 patients and their families cared for in 22 counties in south-central Indiana.

Providence, hospice workers agree to resolve NLRB complaint 
Becker's Hospital Review; by Kelly Gooch; 9/5/24 
Renton, WA-based Providence and caregivers of Providence Hospice in Sonoma County, Calif., agreed to resolve allegations that workers were required to take on additional work and responsibilities without appropriate compensation. The agreement resolves allegations filed with the National Labor Relations Board in June 2023 by approximately 130 registered nurses, social workers and other staff at the hospice care provider, according to the National Union of Healthcare Workers. ... [Click here to read the terms.]  ... Both sides agreed the deal is a win for the caregivers and for hospice. "This agreement is good for us and for the families we serve because it means instead of racing in our cars from one family to another, our agency will have to staff appropriately so we can devote ourselves fully to our patients," Kristina Nauheimer, a nurse case manager at the hospice, said in the union release.

Hospice of the Valley student volunteers gain insight into dementia
City Sun Times [AZ]; by Lin Sue Flood; 9/4/24
... Hospice of the Valley [has a] College Partners Program, an innovative collaboration with Maricopa Community Colleges, Arizona State University and other schools to provide socialization to people living with dementia and a much-needed break to family caregivers... Hospice of the Valley’s dementia and volunteer departments spearheaded this intergenerational program to help inspire careers in dementia care. Incentives include scholarship opportunities, monthly education and letters of recommendation. To date, 106 students have been trained and paired with 123 patients since College Partners launched in 2021 with a grant from Community Care Corps. Now, the program is funded by Hospice of the Valley and community donations.

Hugo man dies in house fire  [hospice patient] 
KXII 12 TV, Hugo, OK; by KXII Staff; 9/5/24 
A fire at a home in Hugo claims the life of a former Choctaw County assistant district attorney. Officials said the fire happened Sunday afternoon. The Choctaw County Emergency Manager told News 12 that John Bounds, who was in hospice care, was unable to escape. All others in the house got out safely.
Editor's note: What emergency discussions do your interdisciplinary team members have with home hospice patients and their caregivers? These emergency evacuation discussions apply to fire, natural disasters (tornado, flooding, hurricane, and more).  Click here for OSHA Fire Saftey Requirements: Protecting Life and Property.

Bittersweet bouquet: Hospice worker transforms her grief into a garden of memories 
ABC 13, Grand Rapids, MI; by Matt Gard; 9/5/24
For the most part, Kaitlyn Dawson’s desk at the Emmanuel Hospice office is exactly what you’d expect it to be. On her left, she has office supplies, ... but it’s what’s on the wall over her left shoulder that really gives this workspace character. Inside three separate picture frames are hundreds of flowers. Kaitlyn was an art major at Grand Valley State University before she switched to social work, and she still has a passion for creativity. Every one of those flowers – whether red, purple or orange - was her creation. ... “These flowers represent patients that I have been able to be a part of their journey at end of life,” said Kaitlyn, who has worked in hospice for about four years. “I had one particular case that was really difficult, and I remember leaving that visit and thinking ‘I'm going to start doing this process in honor of her.’ And I went to the store and I bought pencils and a notebook and decided I was going to do flowers. It was easy. It was simple. It was something I could sit down and do in the evening, and if I lost a couple of people that day, I could draw a couple of flowers.” Before Kaitlyn knew it, she had a "bittersweet bouquet."

Growing private equity involvement suggests rapid consolidation in hospice industry: study
McKnight's Home Care; by Adam Healy; 9/4/24
Increasingly, many hospices are being acquired by private equity firms, which may indicate growing consolidation of the industry, according to a new study. Between 2015 and 2022, 47 PE firms were responsible for 124 US hospice acquisitions. The larger share of these transactions occurred in more recent years, the researchers found. Fewer than 10 PE-backed acquisitions were made each year from 2015 to 2017, but from 2018 and beyond, PE firms acquired between roughly 15 and 35 hospices per year. Some of these acquisitions involved a large number of agencies, a sign of PE-fueled consolidation in the hospice sector, the researchers noted.
Publisher's note: We first covered this story in The Guardian 9/5/24 (Private equity ownership of US hospice centers boomed in recent years – study) and include McKnight's story to highlight the impact this study is having.

Enhabit foresees smooth sailing on near-term hospice growth 
Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 9/5/24 
Enhabit Inc. expects consistent hospice growth even as it contends with payer and reimbursement headwinds for its home health business. The home health and hospice provider recently terminated its home health contract with the Medicare Advantage payer UnitedHealthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, citing nine months of unsuccessful negotiations. In addition, Enhabit and the rest of the home health industry are facing a potential 1.7% rate cut from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation’s proposed 2025 payment rule. Meanwhile, Enhabit’s hospice segment continues to grow sequentially.

10 ways to improve cancer patients' transition to skilled nursing facilities: Viewpoint 
Becker's Hospital Review; by Elizabeth Gregerson; 9/5/24
Physicians from the New York City-based Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have shared insights on how to better manage care when an oncology patient transfers from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility setting. ... The authors are oncologist Daniel Lage, MD, palliative care physician Craig Blinderman, MD, and emergency medicine physician Corita Grudzen, MD. ... [Among the] 10 recommendations from the editorial: ... Documentation should be provided to the skilled nursing facility team if an oncologist believes harm from future cancer treatment outweighs potential benefits or believes the patient has a poor prognosis. This will allow palliative care or hospice conversations to occur more urgently. Oncologists and palliative care clinicians can schedule, with hopeful reimbursement for,  telehealth visits for patients in skilled nursing facilities.

Changes in nursing home ownership may depress care and staffing, report finds
McKnight's Long-Term Care News; by John Roszkowski; 9/4/24
Changes in nursing home ownership may have a small, but statistically significant, negative impact on staffing levels and the overall quality of patient care at nursing homes, according to new research. Investigators from the University of Pennsylvania and the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia conducted a retrospective study of changes in nursing home ownership between 2016-2022 and how they impacted nursing home quality of care. Findings appeared in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The researchers used data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from 2016-2022 of nearly 3,600 nursing homes that changed ownership to determine if there were noticeable shifts in quality ratings after the properties changed hands.
Publisher's note: This study might have interesting implications in the hospice field.

Report: More than one-third of nursing homes don’t have required medical director 
McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Kristen Fischer; 9/3/24
Though all nursing homes must have a medical director under federal law, a new study shows that some nursing homes don’t meet the requirement. Facilities that do have a medical director report that the medical director spends just a few hours per week on site, according to the study. Medical directors are charged with overseeing medical care. They manage resident care policies and procedures to align with current standards of practice, including infection control protocols, educational programs and performance reviews for healthcare workers. The report was published on [9/2/24] in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The authors reviewed the practices of nearly 15,000 nursing homes in the United States, using federal Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data on staffing positions for the period of 2017–2023, as well as federal nursing home ownership data and deficiencies data for 2023.

The biggest threat in health IT and RCM 
Becker's Hospital Review; by Randi Haseman; 9/6/24 
Are organizations adopting AI technology too quickly or too slowly? And what's the future of payer relationships? ... As part of an ongoing series, Becker's is talking to healthcare leaders who will speak at our conference. ... Question: What is the biggest threat in health IT and RCM right now? [Responses from 47 executives featured in this article address the following and more: payer programs; modernizing legacy systems while ensuring data security and compliance; cyber-crime / cybersecurity; relieving provider and staff burden thgouth clinical workflows; state and federal legislation; human error; Gen AI 'mission-creep'; extended systems downtimes; the velocity of technical disruption; more ...]

At 106, Suffolk woman ‘could just bounce like a ball’ 
WAVY, Norfolk, VA; by Keagan Hughes; 9/5/24 
Dorothy Southall has it all, and she’s another year older and another year wiser as on Thursday, she turned 106 years young. Dorothy, or Dottie as her family calls her, was born in 1918 and is enjoying another year around the sun. “I could just bounce like a ball, you know? Bounce up and down with the way I feel,” Southall said. “In other words, I’m happy.” Blessed and grateful. That’s how Dottie feels marking her 106th birthday. ...  Dottie lived on her own until she was 103. Now, she is in a residential care home in Norfolk with hospice support, and she says it feels like home. Her caretakers from Sentara Population Health say she is talkative and a joy to be around.

Death Cafe' creates safe space to talk about death, dying and beyond in Missoula 
KPAX-8 Missoula & Western Montana; by Jill Valley; 9/5/24 
Sometimes, the most important conversations we can have involve topics we don’t really want to talk about — such as money, politics, or death. We recently went to have coffee with a group of people who are talking about some of life’s scariest issues. It was the last Thursday in August and about a dozen people were enjoying coffee and talking about death. This is Death Café. Maurika Moore — the CEO and owner of Hestia Advantage, a locally-owned hospice and palliative care provider — told MTN, “I think it’s something we all want to talk about but don’t often get to." The Death Café was founded decades ago. Now, there are meetings worldwide to create a safe space to talk about all aspects of death and dying. Its objective is "to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their (finite) lives."