Literature Review
Hospitals serving Black & Hispanic populations lack cancer resources
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMHospitals serving Black & Hispanic populations lack cancer resourcesOncology Times, by Sarah DiGiulio; 2/1/24Hospitals across the U.S. that treat the highest number of Black and Hispanic patients have significantly lower odds of offering key cancer services, such as PET/CT scanning, robotic surgery, and palliative care, than other hospitals. That was the top finding from recent research published in JAMA Oncology.
New Braunfels Hope Hospice veteran and wife reunited with son, who lives in Japan
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMNew Braunfels Hope Hospice veteran and wife reunited with son, who lives in JapanThe Herald-Zeitung, by Erica Wilson; 1/31/24Hope Hospice’s recent partnership with the nonprofit Luke’s Wings made this long-awaited reunion possible. Hope Hospice covers a 50-mile radius from New Braunfels, providing hospice care and community grief services. Luke’s Wings is based in Washington, D.C. and provides emergency travel planning services and airplane tickets for families of wounded or ill service members, veterans and fallen officers.Editor's Note: Click here for Luke's Wings website.
What the mental health crisis may be missing: Spirituality as a tool
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMWhat the mental health crisis may be missing: Spirituality as a tool Forbes, by Nicole F. Roberts; 1/31/24 It is estimated that approximately one in four people globally will experience mental illness during their lives, with about one billion individuals facing mental health disorders at any given time ... [such as] anxiety, depression, loneliness or some other diagnosable illness. ... Despite most people believing in both science and a form of spirituality there are fundamental differences in how and why people seek the care they do, and how and why they adhere to recommended treatment plans as they do. And much of those decisions is based on beliefs.
The power of the patient’s voice: Enhancing end-of-life care
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMThe power of the patient’s voice: Enhancing end-of-life careMedriva, by Ayanna Amadi; 1/31/24End-of-life care is a delicate and complex area of healthcare, requiring a balanced blend of clinical expertise, emotional sensitivity, and communication skills. The End-of-Life Essentials team at Flinders University has created a stirring video titled ‘The Patient’s Perspective,’ focusing on the importance of patient input in improving end-of-life care. The video presents a moving narrative from the vantage point of a patient dealing with serious illness, highlighting the profound impact of healthcare staff interactions.
Tips for caring for loved ones at the end of their life
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMTips for caring for loved ones at the end of their life CBC Life, by Caitlin Stall-Paquet; 1/30/24Palliative care experts on how to comfort a dying person and prepare yourself for the supportive role. ...
Poynter’s Tom Jones renders a nuanced verdict on Kevin Cullen’s ethical lapse
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMPoynter’s Tom Jones renders a nuanced verdict on Kevin Cullen’s ethical lapseMedia Nation, by Dan Kennedy; 1/31/24Poynter media columnist Tom Jones has weighed in with a lengthy commentary about Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen’s decision to sign a legally required form that a terminally ill woman needed in order to proceed with her physician-assisted suicide — a story that he was reporting on, and that was published by the Globe last Friday.
Hospital staff fulfills hospice patient's final wish to attend son's wedding
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMHospital staff fulfills hospice patient's final wish to attend son's weddingNBC 10 News; 1/31/24A hospice patient in Fall River was able to attend his son's wedding, thanks to the help of some healthcare workers. The wedding was held inside of Charlton Memorial Hospital's chapel on Wednesday. Staff said it was patient John's last wish to see his son get married.
Hospice dog in Leonberg: Golden retriever Jamie provides comfort to the dying
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMHospice dog in Leonberg: Golden retriever Jamie provides comfort to the dying Lofta; 1/30/24A quick smile – Golden Retriever Jamie gives dying people a valuable moment of lightness through his mere presence. He is a visiting dog at the Leonberg hospice. ...
Other Business Headlines of Interest, updated 2/1/24 per nasdaq.com
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMOther Business Headlines of Interest, updated 2/1/24 per nasdaq.com
St Christopher's Hospice opens new charity shops in Dulwich amid community support
02/02/24 at 04:00 AMSt Christopher's Hospice opens new charity shops in Dulwich amid community supportBNN, by Momen Zellmi; 2/1/24St Christopher’s Hospice has celebrated the grand opening of three charity shops in Dulwich, leading to a record-breaking fundraising year. ... The new Croxted Road store alone brought in over £20,000 within its first six weeks.Editor's Note: St Christopher's Hospice was founded by Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of our contempory hospice movement: “You matter because you are you and you matter until the last moment of your life.”
VR relaxation therapy could be important tool for palliative care, study shows
02/02/24 at 03:55 AMVR relaxation therapy could be important tool for palliative care, study showsMcKnights Senior Living, by Aaron Dorman; 2/1/24Virtual reality has been gaining traction as an option for filling care and therapy gaps within senior living. But could VR even be a superior option for therapy, compared to “real-life” approaches? One new study makes this bold claim, and offers both normative and analytical evidence for why this may be the case.
The case for palliative care in the ICU
02/02/24 at 03:55 AMThe case for palliative care in the ICU Hospice News, by Rachel Edwards; 1/31/24An intensive care unit (ICU) stay often challenges everyone involved. Integrating palliative care could alleviate some of the suffering through symptom management, improved communication about goals and treatment, and better training and resources for staff. As ICU admissions in the final year of life become increasingly common, the need for better holistic critical care is growing.
Patty and Jay Baker reinforce palliative care at Mount Sinai: A significant stride towards enhanced patient care and medical training
02/02/24 at 03:40 AMPatty and Jay Baker reinforce palliative care at Mount Sinai: A significant stride towards enhanced patient care and medical trainingMedriva, by Zara Nwosu; 1/31/24The partnership between Patty and Jay Baker and Mount Sinai is much more than a financial investment. It represents a significant step forward in the advancement of palliative care. By focusing on both patient care and medical training, this initiative addresses the needs of the healthcare system from multiple angles. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of care, from diagnosis to treatment, are improved.
Hospice and home health survey perspectives: A conversation with Kim Skehan, VP of Accreditation at CHAP
02/02/24 at 03:35 AMHospice and home health survey perspectives: A conversation with Kim Skehan, VP of Accreditation at CHAPHospice Insights: The Law and Beyond, podcast by Meg Pekarske; 1/31/24In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske is joined by friend and industry veteran Kim Skehan. In this wide-ranging conversation, they explore not only the recent survey reforms but the ways in which Kim’s decades of work as a survey consultant to hospices and home health agencies shape how she approaches her new role leading accreditation at CHAP.
Four Seasons Home Care named 6th in nation
02/02/24 at 03:30 AMFour Seasons Home Care named 6th in nationFour Seasons press release; 2/1/24The Top 100 Leader in Experience Award is the highest recognition awarded by Home Care Pulse (HCP) and is only awarded to 100 home care businesses in North America. Recipients must consistently rank among the very highest in 10 or more quality metrics. As a Top 100 Leader in Experience Award recipient, Four Seasons Home Care is recognized among the very best home care providers participating in the nationwide HCP Experience Management Program.
See how 5 families balance care and comfort in pediatric palliative care
02/02/24 at 03:00 AMSee how 5 families balance care and comfort in pediatric palliative careNational Geographic, by Taylor Sisk, photographs by Lynn Johnson; 2/1/24This medical team chooses to help families of children in palliative care prioritize quality of Life over taxing procedures and treatments. Our photo essay offers a glimpse of how they make the most out of life. ... [Interviews and photos are with the] Division of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. ... The goal of this pediatric hospice program is clear: Put family first.Editor's Note: Note this source, National Geographic. Where do these photos and stories "take" you? I am grateful for Hospice of Louisville's (now, Hosparus) first hospice pediatric program in the U.S. I served on our Pediatric Care team for 4 years, and was forever, profoundly changed by knowing these children and their families.
The aid-in-dying question
02/02/24 at 03:00 AMThe aid-in-dying questionThe Washington Post, by Matt Valliere; 1/31/24... As medical aid in dying is becoming legal in more states in this country, the terms “euthanasia” and “assisted suicide” are inaccurate, each in its own way. Where medical aid in dying, or MAID, is legal in the United States, the medication must be self-administered, whereas euthanasia involves a physician or other person being the agent of death. The term “suicide” and, hence, assisted suicide, should refer to a situation where the individual is not facing a terminal prognosis. Aid in dying is what it says: It is helping someone who is already dying and has no hope of recovery.
Docs see smaller checks as Congress weighs options on Medicare cut
02/01/24 at 04:00 AMDocs see smaller checks as Congress weighs options on Medicare cutModern Healthcare, by Michael Mcauliff; 1/30/24If anyone were to ask members of Congress if doctors should be contending with Medicare pay cuts after a pandemic and a period of extraordinary inflation, and amid a chronic physician shortage, nearly all would say no.Subscription required for full access
Can Artificial Intelligence improve doctor-patient visits and reduce burnout?
02/01/24 at 04:00 AMCan artificial intelligence improve doctor-patient visits and reduce burnout?AAMC News, by Patrick Boyle; 1/30/24Physicians are testing tools that listen to conversations and create written notes, freeing them to focus on patients and easing documentation burdens. The technology is evolving to address limitations.
St. Mary’s Hospice launches community choir to foster wellbeing and connections
02/01/24 at 04:00 AMSt Mary’s Hospice launches community choir to foster wellbeing and connectionsBNN, by Safak Costu; 1/30/24St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston [United Kingdom] has heralded a new era of community engagement with the inauguration of its unique community choir. The first session, held at the hospice’s Living Well Centre, marked the beginning of what is expected to be a vibrant and melodic journey. The choir is a testament to the hospice’s commitment to fostering wellbeing and community connections, extending an open invitation to all, regardless of musical prowess or experience.
Skowhegan nonprofits say they have moved on after former director stole thousands
02/01/24 at 04:00 AMSkowhegan nonprofits say they have moved on after former director stole thousands Portland Press Herald, by Jake Freudberg; 1/30/24Jason Gayne, the former executive director of the Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County, began his prison sentence Monday for stealing thousands from the nonprofits, but leaders of the two organizations said they have already worked to move forward. For the last two years, the Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce has had a clear goal: returning the organization to its members. “From the ground up, we rebuilt everything,” said Luke York, the chair of the chamber’s board of directors.
Virginia lawmakers push richer employer-provided benefits to workers
02/01/24 at 04:00 AMVirginia lawmakers push richer employer-provided benefits to workerThe Center Square, by Morgan Sweeney; 1/30/24Calling her state and America behind "the entire industrialized world," a Virginia senator is one of two lawmakers pushing legislation to implement an employer-provided benefit to workers. ... The program would guarantee that employees taking time off for the birth of a child or “an illness, injury, impairment ... or physical or mental condition that involves inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility or continuing treatment by a health care provider” would continue to receive 80% of their paycheck for up to 12 weeks of leave.
Caregivers: Being a ‘care partner’ for someone is not a burden
02/01/24 at 04:00 AMCaregivers: Being a ‘care partner’ for someone is not a burden Parkinson's News Today, by Marisa Wexler, MS; 1/30/24Focusing on 'burden' reduces care partner support to 'burden reduction.' ... “A singular focus on ‘caregiver burden’ and a lack of knowledge of care partners’ perceptions of [Parkinson’s] caregiving can limit care partner support to only burden reduction, which may not always be possible given the progressive nature of the disease,” wrote the scientists, who interviewed 16 caregivers to better understand their perspectives.
In-cure-able isn’t un-care-able: Pope’s February intention is the terminally ill
02/01/24 at 04:00 AMIn-cure-able isn’t un-care-able: Pope’s February intention is the terminally ill Aleteia, by Kathleen N. Hattrup; 1/30/24In the month of February, Pope Francis is inviting the whole Church to pray for a renewed commitment to the terminally ill and their families. ... The World Day of the Sick was established in 1992 by John Paul II. Pope Francis explains that “when some people talk about terminal illnesses, there are two words they often confuse: incurable and un-care-able. But they are not the same.”