Literature Review

Does confronting mortality make our lives more meaningful? | The Ethical Life podcast SC Now, Florence, SC; podcast hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada; 1/29/25 Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how our awareness of mortality shapes the way we live. Kyte begins by discussing how ancient philosophers, particularly the Stoics, believed we should keep death constantly in mind, [helping] us avoid self-deception about our mortality and the tendency to become overly attached to material possessions and markers of success. Later, the hosts discuss how major religions have grappled with the question of what happens after death. ... Rada and Kyte share their personal reflections on mortality. ... Kyte says he ponders it daily, not in a morbid way, but to remind himself to use his finite time wisely. They discuss how people near the end of life often shift their priorities to relationships, forgiveness and small joys. 

The Handbook of LGBTQIA-inclusive Hospice and Palliative Care, 2nd edition Review in Ageing & Society, published online by Cambridge University Press; book authored by Kimberly D. Acquavia, review authored by Luis Stoisser; 1/23/25 The Handbook of LGBTQIA-inclusive Hospice and Palliative Care is a comprehensive guide to providing inclusive palliative and hospice care to everyone, regardless of their self-identification. Following the author's belief that LGBTQIA+ hospice and palliative care requires change at three levels - individual, institutional and systemic - the book extends state-of-the-art palliative and hospice practices (US focused) by including LGBTQIA+ perspectives. Such a rethinking educates hospice and palliative care practitioners on how to provide person-centered care, how to be self-reflexive on a daily basis and how to handle their own stereotypes and stigmas. [This book is available via Columbia University Press and Amazon.]

The iatrogenic consequences of medicalising grief: Resetting the research agenda Sociology of Health & Illness: by Sarah Gurley-Green, Lisa Cosgrove, Milutin Kostic, Lauren Koa, and Susan McPherson; published 11/28/25, distributed via Evermore 1/28/25When the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was published in 2013, there was a firestorm of controversy about the elimination of the bereavement exclusion. Proponents of this change and of the proposed “complicated grief” designation believed that this change would help clinicians recognise major depression in the context of recent bereavement. Other researchers and clinicians have raised concerns about medicalising grief. In 2022 “prolonged grief disorder” (PGD) was officially included in the DSM-5-TR in the trauma- and stressor-related disorders section. ... As human rights activists have argued, bereavement support is an inalienable human right, one that is centered on the right to health and well-being, for “bereavement health is as intrinsic to our humanity as any other aspect of health and citizenship” (Macaskill 2022). That is why there are increasing calls for investing in bereavement as a public good and for “cultivat[ing] a bereavement-conscious workforce.” (Lichtenthal et al. 2024, e273). As Lichtenthal notes, it is not only clinicians but also institutions and systems that must “shift bereavement care from an afterthought to a public health priority.”Editor's note: "Iatrogenic" refers to unintentional consequences/condition from a medical intervention. In the hospice context, this means bereavement/grief from the hospice death. How many patients do you serve? The CMS Hospice Conditions of Participation identify "bereavement" and/or "grief" 155 times. What priority do you give to bereavement care before, at and after your patients' deaths?

What can we learn from the dying? Newscastle's News Letter Journal (NLJ), Newcastle, WY; by Kelly Evans-Hullinger, MD; 1/26/25 For the last five years, I have had the great privilege of serving my local health system as Medical Director for Home Hospice. Every week I sit in a meeting with the multidisciplinary caretakers on this team ... Patients facing their own deaths want to talk about their lives. Our staff frequently tries to facilitate what they call a “life review” in which a patient can openly talk about their childhood, family, career, service, and sometimes their regrets. This is therapeutic for the dying patient and their loved ones.  ... I have recently thought about this particular human need – to reflect and remember one’s life. I take this as a reminder to both seek those stories from my own loved ones (I wish I had asked my grandmother more questions about her life) and, perhaps, to tell and write about the things in my own life I would want to be remembered after I am gone. For if there is another thing I’ve learned serving patients on hospice, it is that my death is also inevitable; but, I think, life’s finality is what gives it beauty and meaning. 

AHHC joins other state hospice advocates in legal challenge to Special Focus Program The Association for Home and Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHCNC); Press Release; 1/23/25The Association for Home and Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHCNC) has joined a multi-state coalition of hospices and hospice associations in challenging the federal government's implementation of the Hospice Special Focus Program (SFP), deeming it unlawful and arbitrary. The challengers are seeking a preliminary injunction to halt the SFP, citing patient safety concerns, misrepresentation of compliance records, and jeopardized access to high-quality end-of-life care. Congress directed CMS to establish the SFP to enhance enforcement for noncompliance hospices, but the Final Rule includes unrelated measures, heavily relying on survey data and other information not related to hospices’ compliance with Medicare requirements. Tim Rogers, President and CEO of AHHCNC, states:  "The approach CMS uses disadvantages well-established hospices and ignores Congress’s intent." [Click on the title's link to continue reading.] 

Healthcare Industry Team 2024 Year in Review JD Supra; by Claire Bass, S. Derek Bauer, Kevin Bradberry, Ernessa Brawley, Sarah Browning, Charlotte Combre, Payal Cramer, Emily Crosby, Vimala Devassy, Shareef Farag, Amy Fouts, Winston Kirton, Caroline Landt, Charlene McGinty, Justin Murphy, Lynn Sessions, Gregory Tanner; 1/22/25As we begin a year that will once again be transformative for the industry, we are excited to present our comprehensive 2024 year-in-review, highlighting all that has happened and the trends that will shape 2025. [Downloadable PDF from BakerHostetler, bakerlaw.com. Large categories include the following:]

How it feels to be a hospice nurse Post Independent; by Oanh Hoang, Hospice of the Valley; 1/22/25 If someone had asked me this question seven years ago, when I was a new graduate nurse, I would have said it felt terrifying, depressing, frightening, and sad. However, my feelings have changed since I became a hospice nurse 4.5 years ago. ... If someone were to ask me how it feels to be a hospice nurse now, I would tell them to grab a soda, popcorn, and snacks, and get comfortable because I could talk for hours about what it’s like. My feelings start with gratitude. I am grateful to be a part of the final phase of my patients’ lives, walking alongside them and their families toward a peaceful end. For all my hospice patients, time is the most valuable thing they have. ... Along with all these rewarding feelings, I also feel sadness when my patients pass away. But this sadness is different from the sadness I felt seven years ago. 

Keep leadership training specific to company needs, McLean advises HR Dive; by Kathryn Moody; 1/21/25 Studies show that a lack of communication skills and change readiness is keeping leaders from reaching their potential. ... To build a solid and effective leadership training program, employers should start by establishing what gaps currently exist in leadership development and the competencies the company wants to build.Then, an employer can craft the program with proper mapping of activities and measurements of success and define how it will be maintained in the future. ... Notably, one leadership skill that may be lacking is communication, according to research published in November by the Association for Talent Development — and communication skills are considered critical for that employee group, according to talent development professionals surveyed.

$250K grant to develop more diverse long-term care leaders McKnights Long-Term Care News; by James M. Berklan; 1/15/25 Declaring that “more people of color at every organizational level” are needed in long-term care, a leading provider association on Tuesday unveiled a quarter-million-dollar grant that will jump-start a program to boost more diverse nonclinical leaders. The new fellowship reflects a partnership between LeadingAge and UNCF (the United Negro College Fund). The $250,000 grant flows from the Next50 Foundation, which battles aging-bias and promotes better treatment of seniors. 

The 'paradigm shift’ of hospice service diversification Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 1/17/25 Some hospices have delved deeper into service diversification to improve timely access and expand their patient reach, while others remain focused on end-of-life care delivery. The decision to launch into new service realms can come with a range of operational and reimbursement questions. Among the keys to diversifying services is establishing a business infrastructure that allows for innovative growth based on communities’ needs, according to Leslie Campbell, COO of Touchstone Communities. The San Antonio, Texas-headquartered company provides hospice, home health, veterans services, assisted living and skilled nursing services. ... Hospice leaders need to ensure that both back-office administrative and interdisciplinary teams are educated on how business growth impacts them, particularly when it comes to quality and compliance across the care continuum, Campbell stated.

Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare to merge with National Alliance for Care at Home Home Health Care News; by Audrie Martin; 1/17/25 The Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare (PQHH) will shut down effective March 1. The PQHH board of directors will join efforts with the National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) to create a stronger and unified voice for the industry. By collaborating with the Alliance, the PQHH board aims to enhance advocacy on public policy and regulatory issues impacting the home health community. Their goal is to promote a health care system that acknowledges home health’s vital role in providing compassionate, value-driven care. ... Since its founding in 2010, PQHH has represented community — and hospital-based home health care agencies, working in partnership with government officials to ensure access to high-quality home health care. This mission was at the forefront of their decision to close.

Diana Franchitto named Board Chair as the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation celebrates 10 years National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; 1/14/25 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) proudly announces Diana Franchitto, President & CEO of HopeHealth, as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. A visionary leader in hospice and advanced illness care, Diana steps into this role as NPHI celebrates a decade of driving high-quality nonprofit care and innovation. “As we celebrate a decade of impact, we are thrilled to welcome Diana as the new Chair of our Board of Directors,” said Tom Koutsoumpas, CEO of NPHI. “Her deep commitment to community-based, nonprofit care and her proven leadership make her uniquely qualified to help guide NPHI into this next phase of growth and innovation. I have tremendous respect for Tom and our members’ vision for NPHI, and I’m thrilled to work closely with Tom and our entire NPHI leadership team to bring that vision to life,” said Diana. “It’s an honor to serve as Board Chair during this pivotal moment as we celebrate our first decade of impact. I look forward to collaborating with our members and Board to advance the incredible work our nonprofit hospices deliver every day. Together, we will shape the next chapter of compassionate care and champion innovative, community-driven solutions that prioritize the needs of patients and families nationwide.”

Several large hospice providers see leadership transitions Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 1/13/25New executives have stepped into c-suite and other roles at some of the nation’s largest hospice organizations as 2025 kicks off. ...