Literature Review
A new question for health system C-suites
10/09/26 at 03:00 AMA new question for health system C-suitesBecker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 9/30/26For years, hospitals across the country aimed to be the one-stop shop for all healthcare needs. They owned every part of the care journey, including hospitals, physician practices, imaging centers and labs. The instinct was to build or acquire capabilities internally, on the assumption that ownership was the only reliable path to quality and control. But C-suites are now focused on a different question. Executives across system types have stopped asking “can we build this?” and instead posing the question: “who is the best in the world at this, and how do we build a deep relationship with them?”Publisher's note: How might this same question apply to hospice leaders?
Executive Personnel Changes - 10/9/26
10/09/26 at 03:00 AMExecutive Personnel Changes - 10/9/26
Research: Sleep deprivation is a leadership problem
10/09/26 at 03:00 AMResearch: Sleep deprivation is a leadership problemHarvard Business Review; by Els van der Helm; 10/6/26Sleep deprivation remains widespread among leaders, and many leaders underestimate how much fatigue affects their performance. A new survey of 1,009 U.S. managers and executives suggests that the problem is less about individual sleep habits than about workplace culture: what leaders allow and what they praise can either protect sleep or encourage people to hide their tiredness. Research from the U.S. Army and a Fortune 500 company shows how changing leadership expectations and working conditions can improve employees’ sleep without focusing on sleep itself. A “recovery check” helps leaders examine their own habits, recognize signs of fatigue in their teams, and assess whether their organization supports or undermines sleep.
There are two kinds of people in this world...
10/09/26 at 03:00 AMThere are two kinds of people in this world. Avoid both of them. ~Arthur Schopenhauer
[South Africa] Children are dying in pain because our palliative care is so poor
10/09/26 at 03:00 AM[South Africa] Children are dying in pain because our palliative care is so poorNews24; by Sean Christie; 10/6/26South Africa is failing to provide adequate palliative care, with children the most neglected population. Morphine is often out of stock, and doctors and nurses are terrified of administering it to children. Poverty and limited access to rural health services leave families with few palliative care options.
Reconnecting at the end: The healing power of nature in hospice and palliative care
10/09/26 at 03:00 AMReconnecting at the end: The healing power of nature in hospice and palliative careDr. Owen Wiseman blog; by Owen Wiseman; 8/18/26 [Originally published by Dr. Wiseman through the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association on 1/5/26]A caregiver gently holds the hand of an older adult resting in a hospital bed, conveying compassion, comfort, and human connection during serious illness or end-of-life care. When I think about comfort at the end of life, I picture difficult moments buffered by a sense of softness. Small moments that remind us that we’re part of something bigger. One of the most profound sources of comfort is nature. The feeling of sunlight warming our skin, the sound of birds outside a window, or that first breath of fresh air. In hospice and palliative care, every moment is important, and these connections to the world around us offer something no medicine or machine can. Why nature matters...
Addus HomeCare agrees to acquire personal care division of AccentCare for $275 million
10/09/26 at 03:00 AMAddus HomeCare agrees to acquire personal care division of AccentCare for $275 millionOpen Minds Market Watch; 10/2/26Addus HomeCare Corporation, which provides home care services, announced a definitive agreement to acquire the personal care division of AccentCare for $275.0 million. The transaction pertains only to AccentCare’s personal care operations outside of New York and does not relate to its hospice and home health operations.
OpenAI said it solved 300+ complicated math problems, mathematicians are livid
10/09/26 at 03:00 AMOpenAI said it solved 300+ complicated math problems, mathematicians are lividMorning Brew; by Matty Merritt; 10/7/26All this complicated math and no one was left sobbing at the kitchen table. This week, OpenAI dumped solutions to 372 of the world’s previously unsolved problems across number theory, algebraic geometry, topology, and other fields most of us have no business trying to understand. The release has mathematicians spiraling as AI models power through problems some have spent their lives working on.Publisher's note: While not hospice specific, this article demonstrates how quickly AI is changing the mathematical field (and many others).
You matter, too: The hidden weight of caregiving
10/09/26 at 03:00 AMYou matter, too: The hidden weight of caregivingAshland Source [OH]; by Alyse Schroeder; 10/7/26If you are caring for an aging parent, a spouse with a serious illness or a loved one who needs more help than they once did, you already know that caregiving is one of the most loving things a person can do. You may also know — quietly, and maybe without saying it out loud — that it can be one of the most exhausting things a person can do. Caregiver burnout is real...
VA Bedford volunteer named 2026 Volunteer of the Year
10/08/26 at 03:50 AMVA Bedford volunteer named 2026 Volunteer of the YearVA News; by Prince Taylor; 10/5/26Owen Knight, an Air Force Veteran and volunteer with VA Bedford Healthcare System’s No Veteran Dies Alone (NVDA) program, was named the 2026 Volunteer of the Year at VA’s National Customer Experience Symposium. The award is VA’s highest honor for an individual volunteer.
Home Health and Hospice of Dickinson Co. team members recognized
10/08/26 at 03:45 AMHome Health and Hospice of Dickinson Co. team members recognizedSalina Post; by staff writers; 10/5/26Kristen Hajek, RN, and Megan Brown, MD, members of the Home Health and Hospice of Dickinson County team, have been recognized by the Kansas Home Care & Hospice Association for their outstanding contributions to the home health and hospice profession.
From aging to AI and beyond: A Conversation With Eric Topol
10/08/26 at 03:40 AMFrom aging to AI and beyond: A Conversation With Eric TopolJAMA Network; by Roy Perlis; 9/10/26In this episode of JAMA+ AI Conversations, Roy Perlis, MD, MSc, and Eric Topol, MD, move from the science of aging to how to think about AI-enabled medicine. Topol discusses what it will take for AI to move medicine from reactive to predictive, why some well-validated imaging AI remains underused while large language models have spread rapidly, and whether AI is actually giving clinicians more time with patients.
Hospice election addendum: Now mandatory! Tools and grace!
10/08/26 at 03:35 AMHospice election addendum: Now mandatory! Tools and grace!Provider Insights; by Annette Lee; 10/6/26This week, the Election Addendum became mandatory for all new hospice elections beginning October 1st, 2026. Thankfully, due to significant advocacy, CMS also announced this week that they will provide "enforcement discretion" for quarter one and have ensured the MACs will not deny solely on this new requirement. Hospices should use this time of grace to ensure they have full compliance with this new condition of payment. [Please see article for CMS announcement and presentation, an audit tool, and discussion.]
What is a professional patient advocate, and why might you need one?
10/08/26 at 03:30 AMWhat is a professional patient advocate, and why might you need one?ArcaMax; by Jennifer Schlinger; 10/6/26[Patient advocates] understand patients’ and families’ concerns, ensure their voices are heard by medical staff and interface with care teams, insurance companies and facility administrators. They also coordinate care, set up follow-up appointments and address potential gaps or blind spots in care. I train social workers – who often serve as patient advocates – to help people in a variety of settings, including hospitals and nursing homes. Earlier in my career, I served as a professional patient advocate supporting people in hospitals, home health and hospice. A trained patient advocate can provide much-needed support for people on their healthcare journey. Here’s what you need to know to work with one most effectively.
The LiBBY Study results are now available! [Agitation in dementia]
10/08/26 at 03:25 AMThe LiBBY Study results are now available! [Agitation in dementia]LiBBY press release; by staff; 10/7/26The LiBBY (Life’s-end Benefits of cannaBidiol and tetrahYdrocannabinol) Study was the first of its kind to examine the possible benefits of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) as a safe treatment option for agitation in hospice-eligible people with dementia. The LiBBY Study results show that the THC/CBD investigational treatment administered as an oral, digestible combination oil reduced the symptoms of agitation, in comparison to the placebo treatment. The LiBBY Study results were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in London, United Kingdom on July 14, 2026. The slides are publicly available and can be viewed below.
NGHS Foundation tournament raises $280,000 for Hospice House
10/08/26 at 03:20 AMNGHS Foundation tournament raises $280,000 for Hospice HouseSmokeSignals [GA]; by NGHS; 10/6/26Later this year, the new Chuck and Diane Stephens Hospice House will open its doors thanks to the generosity of donors, including those who participated in the Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) Foundation’s Medical Center Open golf tournament last week. The tournament, which has been raising funds for programs, initiatives, and organizations across Northeast Georgia for the last three decades, raised nearly $280,000 in support of the Hospice House... “We are grateful for the exceptional generosity of Chuck and Diane, whose vision and trust have led us to this point,” said Natalie McNeal, director of Hospice of NGMC.
Hope Hospice [CA] fundraiser at Castlewood raises over $450K
10/08/26 at 03:15 AMHope Hospice [CA] fundraiser at Castlewood raises over $450KPatch.com; by Michael Wittner; 10/6/26More than $450,000 was raised for Hope Hospice at the inaugural Castlewood Plays for Hope, a three-day multi-game community fundraiser held Aug. 28-30 at The Club at Castlewood in Pleasanton. Almost 300 Castlewood members and community participants competed in golf, pickleball, tennis, bocce, and golf skills challenges, which culminated in a community dinner and live auction.
Two Naples seniors find love in the midst of grief
10/08/26 at 03:10 AMTwo Naples seniors find love in the midst of griefGulf Coast News; by Britt Leoni; 9/25/26At just 72 years old, Joan Hall had spent her life building a love story she thought would only grow stronger with time. She never expected time to cut that story short. "All of a sudden, the rug's been torn out from underneath you and you have to learn how to get through it," said Hall. 82-year-old Dennis Lloyd is also familiar with that pain. "She was in the ICU for 5 days and hospice for 5 days before she passed," said Dennis of Catherine, his wife who died. "It was a totally unexpected death." In both Hall's and Lloyd's grief, they didn't expect to find love again... But, to both their surprise, grief brought them together... A few years ago, at AVOW Hospice Center, Hall and Lloyd met in a grief support group... "We're just so happy and lucky us at this age in life to go through the rest of our lives with someone," said Hall.
EverHeart Hospice [OH] welcomes new CEO
10/08/26 at 03:05 AMEverHeart Hospice [OH] welcomes new CEODaily Advocate; by Brittany Hill; 10/7/26EverHeart Hospice has announced that Chief Executive Officer, Kristi Strawser, will be departing the organization after many years of dedicated leadership and service. The organization also announced that Shea Bechtold will join EverHeart Hospice as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Discipline is choosing between...
10/08/26 at 03:00 AMDiscipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most. ~Abraham Lincoln
Jessica Hausauer Appointed to National Quality Measurement Committee
10/08/26 at 03:00 AMJessica Hausauer Appointed to National Quality Measurement CommitteeNCHPC email; by staff; 10/6/26Jessica Hausauer, PhD, CEO of the National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care, has been appointed to the Advisory Group of the Partnership for Quality Measurement (PQM) Advanced Illness and Post-Acute Care Endorsement & Maintenance Committee.
Aging In Place: The Shifting Care Landscape For Older Adults
10/07/26 at 03:50 AMAging In Place: The Shifting Care Landscape For Older AdultsHealth Affairs; 9/22/26As America’s older adult population continues to grow, demand for aging-in-place services is increasing. This report explores the impact of changing age demographics on the health system and policies that provide a framework for the future of care.Subscription may be required to access the full report.
Free webinar for physicians and healthcare professionals: Advanced lung disease - prognostication and role of hospice
10/07/26 at 03:45 AMFree webinar for physicians and healthcare professionals: Reducing hospital readmissions and reducing Hospital Readmissions and Length of stay in advanced illness patients VITAS Healthcare; Press Release; 9/14/26
Hospice medical review top denial reason codes Q2 2026
10/07/26 at 03:35 AMHospice medical review top denial reason codes Q2 2026Palmetto GBA; 8/28/26Hospice Medical Review Top Denial Reason Codes: April to June 2026. We encourage all providers to review this information when filing claims to prevent denials and to ensure their claims are processed timely. The following information affects providers billing 81X bill types. Top five denial reasons include [see article for entire list]:
Fiscal Year 2027 Hospice Final Rule
10/07/26 at 03:30 AMFiscal Year 2027 Hospice Final RuleCHAPcast by Community Health Accreditation Partner; by Jennifer Kennedy, Kimberly Skehan; 9/12/26We break down the FY 2027 Hospice Final Rule and why CMS is becoming increasingly more aggressive in oversight tied to program integrity and beneficiary protection. We walk through the increase in non-hospice spending, and finalized the new SSVI risk scoring model.