Literature Review
The skills and habits aspiring CEOs need to build
06/19/25 at 03:00 AMThe skills and habits aspiring CEOs need to build Harvard Business Review (HBR) - Leadership; by Vasundhara Sawhney; 6/12/25 It’s no secret that today’s business environment is volatile and unpredictable. ... CEOs have a fresh set of challenges that the standard management playbook is ill-equipped to address. As a result, many are heading for the exit. According to one survey of U.S. companies, nearly 2,000 CEOs announced their departures in 2024—the highest total on record. At the same time, executive recruiters report that fewer people are interested in, or ready to, replace these exiting CEOs. ... [We] reached out to three experts ... [and] specifically asked: What skills and behaviors should aspiring CEOs prioritize on building now to thrive in an increasingly complex world? And how can organizations support them in building these skills? Here are their answers, edited for clarity. ...
Map shows assisted dying laws across US
06/19/25 at 03:00 AMMap shows assisted dying laws across US Newsweek; by Jasmine Laws; 6/13/25 New York has recently joined a number of other U.S. states that have made assisted dying legal. The state's Senate approved a bill on Monday allowing constituents with terminal diagnoses to end their lives on their own terms, and the legislation is now headed to Governor Kathy Hochul for her to sign into law. There are currently 10 states, as well as the District of Columbia, that have passed laws making medical assistance in dying (MAID) legal, according to Death With Dignity, and a number of others are considering similar legislation this year. Why It Matters: Assisted dying laws are extremely divisive ... across the globe. [Click on the title's link for the map and more information.]
Omaha man on hospice gets wish to see College World Series game
06/19/25 at 03:00 AMOmaha man on hospice gets wish to see College World Series game CBS KMTV-3, Omaha, NE; by Katrina Markel; 6/17/25 Lifelong baseball fan, Thomas Coker, is on hospice and lives at a skilled nursing facility in Central Omaha. His wish for his 75th birthday: attending a baseball game at the College World Series. His care team made that happen through the Dreamweaver Foundation.
Hospice service to vulnerable people awarded
06/19/25 at 02:00 AMHospice service to vulnerable people awarded The Chronicle-Journal, Thunderbay, Ontario; by Doug Diaczuk; 6/13/25 An organization that provides palliative care is being recognized for its work at ensuring everyone, including those who may not have a home to call their own, receive the services they need at the end of life. Hospice Northwest [Mount Vernon, WA, USA] is the first recipient of the new Equity in Action Award created earlier this year by Mount Pleasant Group and Hospice Palliative Care Ontario [Canada]. The award is meant to highlight work being done to promote better access to palliative care in communities across the province.
68% of hospices lack star ratings
06/19/25 at 02:00 AM68% of hospices lack star ratingsHospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/18/25 The proportion of hospices that do not have a star rating from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is growing. CMS introduced the hospice star rating system in 2022 to help patients make informed decisions about which provider to choose. They appear on CMS’ Care Compare website. The scores are based on Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey results. Between August 2022 and that same month in 2024, the number of hospices without a star rating rose from 3,912 to 5,086, an average of 68%, according to a new study published in Health Affairs.
MedPAC Report: Medicare Advantage enrollees receive 11% fewer home health visits
06/18/25 at 03:05 AMMedPAC Report: Medicare Advantage enrollees receive 11% fewer home health visits Home Health Care News; by Morgan Gonzales; 6/13/25 The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) June report to Congress examined home health care use among Medicare Advantage (MA) and traditional Medicare patients and found that MA enrollees receive 11% fewer home health visits compared to Medicare fee-for-service. ...
Teleios announces addition of Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice
06/18/25 at 03:00 AMTeleios announces addition of Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN), Hendersonville, NC; by Tina Gentry; 6/17/25 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN) announced the addition of Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice (SSRCH) as a member. Since 2007, SSRCH has been providing compassionate care and quality of life to all those in need through its hospice and palliative care programs. Although most patients are served wherever they call home, they offer a beautiful inpatient center for patients when needed. In addition to these services, SSRCH also provides grief support to the community and offers the We Honor Veterans and No One Dies Alone programs.
Adoray makes annual conduit contribution
06/18/25 at 03:00 AMAdoray makes annual conduit contribution Star-Observer, St. Croix County, WI; 6/17/25Family Friendly Workplaces (FFW) is pleased to announce that Adoray Home Health & Hospice, a Gold-Level certified Family Friendly Workplace, recently made an annual conduit contribution to the Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley. This meaningful contribution reflects Adoray’s ongoing commitment to supporting families and strengthening the local community. “At the heart of Adoray are caregivers, whether they are mothers, family caregivers, or professional caregivers. We understand the profound importance of walking alongside our community through every step of their caregiving journey,” said Christa Walz, Executive Director of Adoray Home Health & Hospice.
The importance of using the right name
06/18/25 at 03:00 AMThe importance of using the right name Fernandina Observer, Fernandina Beach, FL; byLinda Hart Green; 6/8/25 An article in the Times-Union of Jacksonville from May 25, 2025 was titled, “Don’t you ‘Sweetie’ me!” by Paula Span. The article was about “elderspeak.” It cited examples of how caregivers speak to the elderly in an overly familiar way or as if they were children. They are not called by name but rather are called "sweetheart” or the like. Elderspeak may be in words or in tone. Experience bears out that elderspeak makes situations worse. ... This article triggered a memory of an important learning experience ...
'Just support her': Brittany Maynard's husband says medical aid in dying helped him grieve
06/18/25 at 03:00 AM'Just support her': Brittany Maynard's husband says medical aid in dying helped him grieve USA Today; by Madeline Mitchell; 6/15/25 Some patients find comfort in medical aid in dying, which allows individuals with six months or less to live the option to obtain a medicine that can help them die peacefully at a time of their choosing. It's not considered euthanasia – which is when someone administers a lethal drug – because the patient takes the medicine themselves. Medical aid in dying is legal in 11 states and in Washington, DC. “A lot of patients really express this desire to shield family members from the agony of watching them die, and potentially having them witness a really traumatic or a really burdensome death," said Anita Hannig, an anthropologist and author of the book "The Day I Die: The Untold Story of Assisted Dying in America." Some caregivers say medical aid in dying helped in their grieving process, too. One thing (Compassion & Choices’ Jessica) Empeño, (Americans United for Life’s Catie) Kelley and Hannig agree on: When a patient asks to die, it's crucial to ask questions about their pain levels, comfort and mental health. Not every patient can or wants to move to one of the 12 jurisdictions that allow medical aid in dying. Moving can be expensive, and some patients don't have the physical ability or time to move. The best thing caregivers can do, Empeño said, is to advocate for their loved one and plan for their death. Ask questions about what the patient wants when they are dying, like if they want visitors in those final moments and who should make final decisions if the patient can't themselves. Guest Editor’s Note, Mark Cohen: Medical Aid in Dying is not going away. This article makes the point that the things that hospices do best—empathetic listening, asking thoughtful questions to guide patients in their healthcare decision-making—can benefit patients and families on both sides of this policy question. For a related article, see this column by Dan Diaz supporting removal of the sunset provision in California’s End of Life Options Act: “Husband of Brittany Maynard: Let’s make medical aid in dying permanent”; Sacramento Bee, 6/3/2025.
Sky Harbor program teaches TSA to help passengers with dementia. It's the 1st of its kind in U.S.
06/18/25 at 03:00 AMSky Harbor program teaches TSA to help passengers with dementia. It's the 1st of its kind in U.S. 91.5 KJZZ Phoenix; by Kathy Ritchie; 6/17/25 For the first time anywhere in the U.S., Transportation Security Administration officers at Sky Harbor Airport are learning how to help travelers living with dementia. "So during this simulation, we're going to be wearing sunglasses, headphones, and both pairs of gloves," said Calli Carlson with Hospice of the Valley during a recent training session. "It's going to be about an 8-minute experience. So those headphones are going to tell you what to do with your blue bag. Do the best that you can." She’s leading the agents in a simulation so they experience what it's like to have dementia. "So this interactive Dementia Moments training is one of the first trainings that has been provided to TSA agents." This simulation uses special glasses that impair vision, headphones to mimic audio distortion and gloves which affect dexterity.Editor's Note: Bravo! Do you provide any similar type of training for your employees and volunteers, designed to simulate contexts and interactions with persons with dementia? Surely, you can!
Giving full consideration to medical technology during health system mergers and acquisitions
06/18/25 at 03:00 AMGiving full consideration to medical technology during health system mergers and acquisitions Healthcare Business Today; by Nancy Wright; 6/17/25 ... There’s a unique balance to strike in the early stages of an acquisition. On one hand, quality care must be a priority as clinicians continue to treat patients, but of course, the strategic vision should focus on the long-term path that the health system is on. In light of the population around them, their goals as a provider, and their current assets and offers, the new health system needs to take a long, hard look and ask, “What is it we want to become?” A big part of the answer to that question lies in accurately assessing the existing system—highlighting the current staff, technology, equipment, and financial performance—and how it can be leveraged strategically to move towards an ideal future. ...
Joint Commission to create guidelines on AI’s use in healthcare
06/18/25 at 03:00 AMJoint Commission to create guidelines on AI’s use in healthcare Becker's Clinical Leadership; by Eria Carbajal; 6/11/25 The Joint Commission has partnered with the Coalition for Health AI to establish and implement evidence-based guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare operations. The first set of guidelines and best practices is slated to be released in the fall, according to a June 10 news release shared with Becker’s. The organizations are also developing an AI certification program, which will be available after the initial guidance is published. The guidance will include a “suite of AI playbooks” and tools to support health systems with safe and ethical adoption of AI. The guidance is expected to be used by more than 80% of U.S. healthcare organizations, according to the release.
Today's Encouragement: One half of knowing what you want is ...
06/18/25 at 03:00 AMOne half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it. ~ Sidney Howard
An example AI Readiness Assessment framework for C suite leaders
06/18/25 at 03:00 AMAn example AI Readiness Assessment framework for C suite leaders Solutions Review; by Tim King; 6/17/25 There is no one-size-fits-all blueprint for artificial intelligence. Every organization has its own legacy systems, workforce culture, regulatory pressures, and innovation appetite. But one thing is universally true: AI success depends on readiness. Not just technical readiness, but ethical, emotional, and operational readiness across the entire enterprise. But as the pressure to “implement AI now” mounts, many organizations rush in without a clear framework for what it means to be ready. They focus on models, tools, and talent—but overlook the critical dimensions of ethics, empathy, and impact. That’s where this guide comes in. ...
‘Smartest thing I ever did:’ Woman shares how grief counseling helped her through tragedy
06/18/25 at 03:00 AM‘Smartest thing I ever did:’ Woman shares how grief counseling helped her through tragedy WGHP, Asheboro, NC; by Brayden Stamps; 6/17/25 Everyone goes through grief at some point in their life and it is important to get help when you need it. Hospice facilities serve families in more ways than just providing their loved ones with a place to stay during their final days. “It was the smartest thing I ever did,” said Darlene Tolbert, a grief counseling client with Hospice of Randolph. Tolbert came to Hospice of Randolph at the recommendation of a friend after she lost her son to suicide.
‘Because I Knew You’: OHSU pediatric physician’s memoir reveals how treating kids helped him heal
06/18/25 at 03:00 AM‘Because I Knew You’: OHSU pediatric physician’s memoir reveals how treating kids helped him healOregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), Portland, OR; by Geoff Norcross, with Robert Macauley; 6/10/25 About 200 pages into Robert Macauley’s memoir, he takes up the big question of why God — if there is one — allows kids to suffer and die. “The best answer I’ve come up with — with three graduate degrees in theology from places like Oxford and Yale, followed by three decades as a physician-priest—is…” The next two pages are blank. This is what he writes next. “In other words, I don’t know. I don’t know why God lets such terrible things happen, which even someone as tragically flawed as me would make absolutely sure to prevent, given a pinch of omnipotence and a nanosecond to act.” Macauley deals with dying kids for a living. He’s a pediatrician at OHSU, and one of the few in the country certified in hospice and palliative care. He’s also an ordained Episcopal priest. His new memoir is called “Because I Knew You: How Some Remarkable Sick Kids Healed A Doctor’s Soul.” He spoke with OPB’s “All Things Considered” host Geoff Norcross.
How understanding how your brain works can make you a better leader
06/18/25 at 03:00 AMHow understanding how your brain works can make you a better leader Fast Company; by Amy Brann; 6/7/25 What if the key to being a better manager isn’t found in a new productivity hack, a different feedback framework, or a time management app—but in understanding the three-pound organ inside your head that runs the show: your brain? ... Here are five ways neuroscience can help you manage smarter.
2025 World Hospice and Palliative Care Day: Using the Toolkit Effectively webinar
06/18/25 at 03:00 AM2025 World Hospice and Palliative Care Day: Using the Toolkit Effectively webinar Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA); press release / email; 6/17/25The Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA) invites you to attend a 2025 World Hospice and Palliative Care Day: Using the Toolkit Effectively Webinar and you must register in advance, HERE. The theme for WHPCD is Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care, and this year’s World Day will be on 11 October. World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) is a unified day of action in support of hospice and palliative care. Palliative care is an interdisciplinary caregiving approach that optimises quality of life and mitigates health-related suffering among people with very serious illnesses and their carers. WHPCD has been marked every year for the last 19 years.
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. ...
‘It was meant to be’: How a haircut became a gift for hospice patients
06/17/25 at 03:15 AM‘It was meant to be’: How a haircut became a gift for hospice patients Simple Health - KXAN, Austin, TX; by Esmerald Zamora; 6/15/25 In addition to its clinical care, Blue Water Homecare and Hospice [in Central Texas]also runs a volunteer program designed to enhance patients’ quality of life. Through that program, a new partnership has formed with Maria’s Hair Studio and Barbershop in Round Rock to provide free haircuts to hospice patients in the comfort of their homes. ... Volunteer Coordinator Steve Wanzer said the idea came from a patient request. A social worker reached out to Wanzer, asking if he knew anyone who could provide a haircut. As fate would have it, Wanzer was driving past Maria’s Hair Studio at that very moment. ... Since then, the simple gesture has become a cherished part of the care Blue Water provides. [Bluewater owner Jennifer Prescott said,] “As hospice professionals, we understand how important it is to help people feel good. This small act of kindness goes a long way.”Editor's Note: How beautiful, and so easy to replicate. This brings a smile to me. My Mom was living in our home with hospice care. Confined to an upstairs bedroom, she asked me how she could get a long overdue haircut. She laughed, "I want to look good in my casket!" My longtime hairdresser came to our home, lovingly tended Mom and her hair, and took a now-favorite photo of Mom and me. She died 3 weeks later. Yes--in her casket--Mom was beautiful!
[Congressional Research Service] Medicare Coverage: Background and resources
06/17/25 at 03:10 AM[Congressional Research Service] Medicare Coverage: Background and resources Congressional Research Service - In Focus; 6/13/25 This In Focus provides an overview of Medicare coverage of services and items, coverage determination processes, and core resources on these topics for beneficiaries, health care providers, and policymakers. ...
Alliance official: Medicare Advantage growth, PDGM cuts create converging crises for at-home care
06/17/25 at 03:00 AMAlliance official: Medicare Advantage growth, PDGM cuts create converging crises for at-home care Home Health Care News; by Morgan Gonzales; 6/13/25 At-home care is reaching a crisis point, according to Scott Levy, chief government affairs officer at the National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance). The pressure on providers is not only unsustainable – it threatens access to cost-saving in-home care. Already, over one-third of patients referred to home health fail to receive those services. Home health is facing a triple threat, with deepening patient-driven groupings model (PDGM) payment cuts, Medicare rate updates that fail to keep up with real inflation and increased Medicare Advantage (MA) penetration. Meanwhile, home- and community-based services are in the crosshairs of the budget reconciliation bill passed by Congress and now in the Senate’s hands. Access to care is sure to be impacted, Levy said, but questions remain as to what extent. ...
Coastal Hospice announces leadership appointment: Ann Lovely to lead as President & CEO
06/17/25 at 03:00 AMCoastal Hospice announces leadership appointment: Ann Lovely to lead as President & CEO SBY Business Journal, Salisbury, MD; Press Release; 6/16/25 The Coastal Hospice Board of Directors is proud to announce the appointment of Ann Lovely, RN, BSN, CHPN, as President & Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Lovely has served as Interim President & CEO since June 2024, guiding the organization with strength and compassion through a period of transition. A steadfast leader and one of Coastal Hospice’s longest-tenured team members, Ann brings more than 25 years of dedication, experience, and deep knowledge of hospice and palliative care to her new role. Her appointment is a reflection of her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to the patients, families, and communities served by Coastal Hospice.