Literature Review

Why are some people happy when they are dying? StudyFinds; by The Conversation, Mattias Tranberg, Lund University; 7/18/24Simon Boas, who wrote a candid account of living with cancer, passed away on July 15 at the age of 47. In a recent BBC interview, the former aid worker told the reporter: “My pain is under control and I’m terribly happy – it sounds weird to say, but I’m as happy as I’ve ever been in my life.” It may seem odd that a person could be happy as the end draws near, but in my experience as a clinical psychologist working with people at the end of their lives, it’s not that uncommon. There is quite a lot of research suggesting that fear of death is at the unconscious center of being human. William James, an American philosopher, called the knowledge that we must die “the worm at the core” of the human condition. But a study in Psychological Science shows that people nearing death use more positive language to describe their experience than those who just imagine death. This suggests that the experience of dying is more pleasant – or, at least, less unpleasant – than we might picture it.

Is your organization truly clinically integrated? TCNtalks podcast; host Chris Comeaux; 7/17/24 In this conversation, Chris Comeaux and Dr. Will Faber discuss the importance of clinically integrated networks (CINs) in the Hospice and Palliative Care industry.  They explore the challenges and benefits of creating a CIN, including reducing costs, improving quality of care, and competing with larger organizations. Dr. Faber explains that CINs are legal entities that allow independent providers to come together for group effectiveness, enabling them to negotiate with payers and improve quality while reducing healthcare costs.  They also touch on the concept of the triple aim and the evolving concept of the quintuple aim in healthcare. CINs are attractive to hospice and palliative care organizations because they provide a way to stay independent while being part of something larger. 

Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility makes donations to regional hospice and animal shelter Fort Madison Daily Democrat; by Brad Vidmar; 7/18/24 Staff at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility (MPCF) presented two big checks to two worthy causes on Monday. During a presentation at the prison, a check for $5,000 was presented to All God’s Creatures and a check for $10,000 was presented to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. ... The $10,000 provided by MPCF for their donation to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice came from a car washing and detailing program that incarcerated individuals at the prison perform for MPCF staff. Stroud explained that the prison still has a hospice room but said its lack of use in recent years persuaded staff to look consider donating money elsewhere.

Woman radiates joy as she wears a wedding gown for the first time after 77 years of marriage Scoop; by Rima Biswas; 7/16/24When this 97-year-old got married, she didn't have a proper wedding gown. She got to live this dream after 77 years of marriage thanks to a hospice facility. ... On King and her husband's 77th wedding anniversary, her dream of wearing a wedding dress finally came true. The staff of St. Croix Hospice in Iowa helped the then-97-year-old King to get dressed in all white and a veil to walk down the grassy lawn to celebrate her wedding anniversary. The hospice facility made a small but special arrangement to help the veteran couple reenact their wedding memories, getting everyone emotional in the process.

NAHC-NHPCO Alliance comments on Hospice CARE Act HomeCare; 7/16/24 The NAHC-NHPCO Alliance submitted a comment letter to the office of Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) on the discussion draft of the Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement Act (Hospice CARE Act), along with an overview and section-by-section summary. The Hospice CARE Act focuses on hospice payment reform and program integrity. The two trade organizations said they have worked closely with Blumenauer for years on these issues and are committed to continuing the dialogue to secure optimal outcomes for hospice providers and the continued delivery of quality care for patients and their families.

AccentCare unveils new hospice care center in Miami-Dade County accentCare, Miami, FL; 7/10/24 AccentCare, a nationwide leader in home health, hospice and personal care services, ... announced the opening of a new inpatient hospice center in Miami. Expanding its footprint in South Florida, AccentCare’s new facility aims to address the region’s diverse population and growing need for greater access to personal and high-quality hospice care. “We are thrilled to expand our presence in the Miami area, offering compassionate and personalized hospice care for more patients and their families in Florida’s diverse communities,” said Andy Johnston, President of Hospice & Personal Care Services, AccentCare. ... AccentCare’s new 30,000-square-foot hospice center offers a range of services, including nursing care, pastoral care, medical social work, respite services, 24-hour critical home care and bereavement support for families. 

Wellsboro's hospice home closes Gazette, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania; 7/12/24 After 25 years of providing a home for the dying, The Samaritan House, a mission project of St. Peter’s Church in Wellsboro [PA], has closed. For the past two years, the steering committee has tried to increase its volunteer base, raise funds, complete clearances and maintain the house. Despite meeting many goals and continuing to receive referrals, Samaritan House can no longer welcome guests because it can’t sustain a schedule. The Samaritan House ministry has welcomed guests and families from diverse faiths and backgrounds and cared for them with compassion and dignity for 25 years. Many of the volunteers have made friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

Angela Hospice CEO to retire; successor named DBusiness; by Tim Keenan; 7/12/24 Angela Hospice President and CEO Marti Coplai has announced her plan to retire in December and Executive Director Jamie LaLonde has been named to succeed her in December.  Coplai joined Angela Hospice in 2015 as executive director and assumed the position of president and CEO in March 2019. Over the course of Coplai’s tenure, she has led the Angela Hospice team to accomplish a number of initiatives, propelling the organization to where it is today, and ensuring sustainability for the future. The most recent initiative Coplai led is the expansion of Angela Hospice services to north Oakland County. In addition to the 15-bed hospice residence at Lourdes Senior Community, expanded services will benefit the community through grief support groups and educational outreach.

Amorem receives $100,000 grant from The Cannon Foundation Ashe Post & Times, Boone, North Carolina; by Staff Reporter; 7/12/24 Amorem received a $100,000 grant from The Cannon Foundation for its Quality. Compassion. Support: A Patient Care Unit for the High Country campaign. The Cannon Foundation has joined Amorem’s vision to provide more quality, more compassion and more support to residents of the High Country with a $100k grant to assist with the purchase of non-medical equipment needed to operate the patient care unit and meet the needs of patients and their families while in Amorem’s care. “Amorem is honored that The Cannon Foundation has joined our vision,” says Director of Development, Ashley Edwards. “Through this partnership, Amorem is empowered to create a homelike environment for our patients who are facing the end of life and their families at the High Country patient care unit.” 

A ‘Culture of Caring’: Calvary Hospital’s 125 year legacy in hospice and palliative care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 7/11/24 Calvary Hospital in New York City is a progenitor of the hospice and palliative care models, but it has its eyes on the future nevertheless. The only hospital in the nation that is specifically devoted to hospice and palliative care, Calvary is celebrating the 125th anniversary of its founding this year. The faith-based organization was established in 1899 by a group of Catholic widows who called themselves the Women of Calvary. Its initial mission was to care for dying women who had been abandoned by the health care system, often with nowhere to live and no one to care for them.

Hospice Action Network: MyHospice Ambassadors Roster Hospice Action Network - NHPCO; 7/12/24 MyHospice Ambassadors are volunteers who have the capacity and initiative to lead, network, and take action on hospice and palliative care advocacy efforts. Participants play a very important role in advancing our policy priorities by building relationships with legislative offices, educating fellow hospice and palliative care advocates about priority issues, and mobilizing our advocacy efforts within their communities and networks. Our program has representation from across the nation and from every form of hospice, big or small, nonprofit or for profit.

Spectrum Home Health & Hospice Care rebrands as Legacy Lifecare VNA & Hospice HCN Healthcare News; by HCN Staff; 7/11/24  Spectrum Home Health & Hospice Care, a care provider in Western Mass. since 1994, will now be known as Legacy Lifecare VNA & Hospice. The team, led by Madeline Presz, senior director of Home and Community-based Services, will continue to provide the same level of care. Legacy VNA & Hospice cares for patients with a broad range of conditions, including injuries, strokes, speech, memory and swallowing issues, joint replacements, neurological disorders, arthritis, traumatic brain injuries, and other debilitating conditions. 

3 pillars of effective hospice sales Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 7/8/24Hospices seeking to grow should consider building a culture of compliance driven by data, effective system design and accountability, including for its sales force. Compliance and sales should walk hand-in-hand, according to a recent report from the Transcend Strategy Group. This can help prevent sales staff from running afoul of regulations inadvertently as well as support sustainable growth, according to Tony Kudner, chief strategy officer for Transcend. ... “[Without] understanding of what the rules of the road are, you’re going to run into trouble,” he said. “Though no one-size-fits-all approach exists, providers can adapt three overarching strategies to support this kind of culture.”