July, 2023

article thumbnail

Senators Propose Bills to Expand Hospice Training, Ensure Access to Transfusions

Hospice News

Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) recently re-introduced legislation designed to expand the palliative care workforce. The two lawmakers, along with others, also brought forth a second bill designed to ensure that hospice patients who need blood transfusions can receive them. The bipartisan-supported Provider Training in Palliative Care Act aims to increase the number of clinicians trained in palliative care as long-standing labor shortages continue to hinder access.

Hospice 346
article thumbnail

“Do I Stay or do I Go?”

Life & Death Matters

As summer approaches and travel resumes, it is not uncommon for family members with loved ones in long-term care to ask this question as they try to decide whether or not to take a vacation…whether that is going on a long-planned family holiday for a few weeks, spending a couple of nights away in a […] The post “Do I Stay or do I Go?” appeared first on Life and Death Matters.

professionals

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

What palliative care means for Alzheimer’s and dementia

HopeHealth

For people living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, palliative care means extra support for quality of life — theirs, and their family’s. The post What palliative care means for Alzheimer’s and dementia appeared first on HopeHealth.

article thumbnail

Summer Book Review Hot Off the Press!

Caregiver Warrior

My post surgery book review for the Summer. Lots to read!! The post Summer Book Review Hot Off the Press! appeared first on Caregiver Warrior.

Books 197
article thumbnail

3 Reasons to Retire Pagers from Healthcare Settings

Let's discuss the trusty pager—an old favorite that’s losing its shine in hospitals and clinics. While once a staple in hospitals and clinics, pagers now present significant limitations that hinder rather than facilitate communication among healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals are constantly on the move, and they need communication tools that can keep up with their fast-paced lives.

article thumbnail

How State and Local Agencies on Aging Help Older Adults: Susan DeMarois, Greg Olsen, and Lindsey Yourman

GeriPal

Summary Transcript Summary You may have heard of Area Agencies on Aging, but do you really know what they do or how they do it? What about State Departments of Aging or state master plans for aging? Do you know how these agencies fit in with programs like Meals-on-Wheels or other nutritional support programs? Is your brain hurting yet with all these questions?

article thumbnail

How to secure your home care agency: the ultimate guide to HIPAA compliance

AlayaCare

When it comes to home care agencies, it’s crucial to have reliable and secure communication to deliver top-notch care and keep clients’ information private. As the importance of HIPAA compliance continues to grow, it’s essential to choose the best secure communication technology. Here’s a simple guide for home care agencies to pick the right tools and technologies that guarantee secure communication while meeting the strict regulations of the Health Insurance Portabilit

More Trending

article thumbnail

How to Accept Help as a Caregiver

Sustainable Caregiving

Caring for a family member can be both rewarding and challenging, but it’s essential to recognize when we need help and not hesitate to ask for it. Caregivers face turbulent emotions such as guilt, grief, and feelings of inadequacy. We often find ourselves overwhelmed, trying to manage everything alone, and before we know it, we’re … How to Accept Help as a Caregiver Read More » The post How to Accept Help as a Caregiver appeared first on Sustainable Caregiving™.

Caregiver 130
article thumbnail

Book Recommendation: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse

Life & Death Matters

It is summer. Time for light reading. But also, a time for inspiration. I have just the book for you! The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse. The story of how these four beings come together, find friendship, share wisdom, love, and humour. When I first read it, I fell in love. I […] The post Book Recommendation: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse appeared first on Life and Death Matters.

Books 130
article thumbnail

He lost both his parents. Now, he’ll help kids and teens heal at Camp BraveHeart.

HopeHealth

After losing both parents within just a few months, Jay needed help coping with his grief. Now, he’ll help kids and teens cope with theirs. The post He lost both his parents. Now, he’ll help kids and teens heal at Camp BraveHeart. appeared first on HopeHealth.

Grief 130
article thumbnail

Sleep problems and Insomnia in Serious Illness: A Podcast wtih Cathy Alessi and Brienne Miner

GeriPal

Summary Transcript Summary Insomnia. We’ve all had it. Lying in bed at 2 am staring at the ceiling, getting anxious every hour that you’re not falling asleep as you have a busy day coming up. Insomnia sucks. Chronic insomnia sucks even more. For those with serious illness, sleep problems and insomnia are all too common. Instead of reflexively jumping to melatonin or ambien, on today’s podcast we talk with two sleep experts, Cathy Alessi and Brienne Miner, about a better approach to sleep

article thumbnail

Real-Life Examples of HIPAA Violations and How to Avoid Them

Speaker: Jack Clough, Chief Growth Officer

Download our 30-minute webinar where we delve into real-life examples of HIPAA violations and preventative measures every organization should know! You will learn: The critical factors that lead to HIPAA violations and how to identify them. Three compelling real-life cases of organizations that faced severe HIPAA penalties. Proven strategies to safeguard YOUR organization against HIPAA violations.

article thumbnail

Nurses With Disabilities: Still a Lot to Give

Daily Nurse

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one out of every four American adults lives with a disability (approximately 61 million), and since there are four million nurses in the U.S., a large percentage of nurses are also likely living with disabilities. Beyond our borders, the World Health Organization estimates that 16 percent of the global population is disabled, perhaps as many as 1.3 billion people.

Nursing 105
article thumbnail

Hospices Gear Up to Reach More Heart Failure Patients, Enhance Quality 

Hospice News

The incidence of end-stage heart failure is expected to rise throughout the next decade, and hospices are preparing to serve those patients when they become eligible. The number of people who suffer from heart failure is expected to rise by 46% between 2012 and 2023, the American Heart Association (AHA) reported. However, hospice utilization remains relatively low for those patients.

2011 245
article thumbnail

Tips for Managing Sciatica Pain | Understanding Sciatic Nerve Pain

Caring Senior Service

Sciatica pain is a common ailment that affects millions of people worldwide, particularly seniors. It is characterized by sharp shooting pain that radiates through the lower back and legs. This condition can significantly impair one's quality of life and impact independence. Learn more about sciatica pain, why seniors may be more susceptible to it, and how you can help loved ones manage and alleviate this discomfort.

98
article thumbnail

Shadowing a Nurse for Career Growth

Minority Nurse

Are you feeling stuck in your nursing career? Shadowing another nurse to learn about a new role and work setting can make all the difference in your career. Whether you are you a new nursing student considering which nursing specialty fits your skills and passions or a veteran nurse who wants to move into a new area and gain additional expertise, taking the time to shadow another nurse can accelerate your decision making.

Nursing 98
article thumbnail

The Ultimate Guide to Improving Caregiver Engagement & Retention

Want to learn how to retain your caregivers & improve caregiver retention X3? The home care industry is experiencing turnover rates of over 80%. How are you ensuring your agency is retaining caregivers? This FREE eBook from Smartcare Software is packed with industry secrets needed to keep your caregivers happy, engaged, and retained, unlocking the full potential of your agency.

article thumbnail

Meet Our Newest Employee: Abby Fawks

Freedom Home Care and Medical Staffing

Freedom Home Care is always looking for more skilled and passionate people to add to our team. Our office staff and health workers are always there to help with your in-home care needs! Last month, we introduced you to three new team members. This month, we have another we’d like you to meet. Welcome Abby Please join us in welcoming Abby Fawks to the Freedom Home Care and Medical Staffing team.

article thumbnail

Emotional Reframing

Today's Caregiver

I had lunch recently (see, they do let me out of the office for reasons other than events, every once and a while) with an extremely interesting new friend who is a member of the clergy. We spoke about the upcoming Fearless Caregiver Conferences.

Events 98
article thumbnail

ANA Underscores Urgency for Safe Staffing Solutions, Minimum Nurse-to-Patient Ratios

Daily Nurse

The American Nurses Association (ANA) underscores the urgency for Congressional leaders, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and other key stakeholders to advance efforts in implementing safe staffing standards , including minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. The nurse staffing crisis demands a national dialogue with nurse-led approaches to help ease longstanding work environment challenges that nurses face across numerous specialties and healthcare settings.

Nursing 98
article thumbnail

CMS Unveils Dementia-Focused Payment Model with Interdisciplinary Care Approach

Hospice News

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has unveiled a new payment model demonstration geared toward dementia-related illnesses, which are becoming more prevalent among hospice patients. The Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model is designed to improve the quality of life for dementia patients and their caregivers by addressing behavioral health and functional needs, as well as better coordinating care and improving care transitions between community, hospital

Medicare 243
article thumbnail

Best Practices for Sharing Protected Health Information (PHI)

Explore essential topics in this ebook, including what constitutes PHI and how to identify it using 18 indicators. Gain insights into the importance of safeguarding PHI to protect patient privacy and learn about the severe consequences of HIPAA violations. Discover practical strategies for securely exchanging PHI within your healthcare organization, including assessing risks and implementing effective safeguards.

article thumbnail

Patron Simon Cowell gives heartfelt message of thanks to Morrisons for raising £5 million for Together for Short Lives

Together for Short Lives

Fantastic news today for children’s hospices and families caring for a child with a life-limiting condition as long-standing Patron of the children’s palliative care charity Simon Cowell announced that Morrisons have reached £5 million pounds in their fundraising efforts for charity partner Together for Short Lives. The partnership with Morrisons, which started in February 2022, […] The post Patron Simon Cowell gives heartfelt message of thanks to Morrisons for raising £5 million for Toget

2022 98
article thumbnail

Poem: Caregivers

Happy Healthy Caregiver

a guest post written by Dean Cook with permission to share with the Happy Healthy Caregiver Community When I was just a young boy, I remember asking Mom, “Why does Granddad shake like that? Where does that come from?” The time had come for her to share some things about her dad, … Poem: Caregivers Read More » The post Poem: Caregivers appeared first on Happy Healthy Caregiver.

article thumbnail

EAPC4All EU4Health Project

EAPC (European Association of Palliative Care)

In November 2022 the EU opened a call for non-government organsations working in the field of healthcare to submit applications for operating grants. The grants are to support the work of the NGO’s that contributes to the EU4Health programme. The EU4Health program is a comprehensive initiative launched by the European Union (EU) to enhance and safeguard the health of its citizens.

article thumbnail

High Peaks Hospice - Untitled Article

High Peaks Hospice

The Tupper Lake community is building everlasting relationships with High Peaks Hospice Pictured: Back – Sara Desimone, High Peaks Hospice Administrative Manager. Front – Students representing LP Quinn Elementary’s 1st Grade Classes who raised $1,364, Nick George, High Peaks Hospice Executive Director Pictured: Cory LaQuay presents a check for $1,945.

article thumbnail

The Essential Guide to HIPAA-Compliant Messaging for Home Care Teams

Explore the risks posed by non-compliant consumer apps like Instagram and WhatsApp in healthcare settings. Learn about potential HIPAA penalties and use a self-evaluation flowchart to determine your organization's need for HIPAA-compliant messaging. Discover straightforward steps to implement secure communication solutions efficiently, ensuring compliance and protecting patient data effectively.

article thumbnail

Nurse Manager Lisa Schneidenbach Dresses Up in Costumes to Lift Patients’ Spirits

Daily Nurse

Nurses are known for their acts of kindness, but Lisa Schneidenbach does it with incredible character. She dresses up as many different characters – all in the name of lifting patients’ spirits. Schneidenbach, an assistant nurse manager with John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey, says her passion for connecting with patients is the essence of being a nurse.

Nursing 98
article thumbnail

Breaking Down Common Palliative Care Misconceptions

Hospice News

Palliative care providers face an uphill battle when it comes to communicating and defining the scope of their interdisciplinary services not only to seriously ill patients, but also referring clinicians across the continuum. Misconceptions abound in and around the spheres of serious and terminal illness care. The public and health care providers alike often conflate palliative care with hospice, according to Robin Stawasz, program development executive, Acclivity Health.

article thumbnail

Nurses with Disabilities: A Skilled Workforce

Minority Nurse

Nurses with disabilities find the nursing industry offers excellent career paths that help them fulfill their goals, regardless of disability. Whether nurses have a disability before they enter the workforce or become disabled after their licensure, they are needed to fill jobs and help broaden the diversity of the nursing workforce, says Karen McCulloh RN, BS , co-founder and co-director of the National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities (NOND).

Nursing 98
article thumbnail

The Boomer's Lament

Today's Caregiver

Speak up when we complain about how hard it is for Mom to hear; after years at the disco, no sound is too clear. Slow down when we jog by, complaining about the man with the cane, ‘cause I think I just got a charley horse or at least a small sprain.

98
article thumbnail

The Cost of Inefficient Communication in Home Care & Beyond

This eBook explores the critical issues of using consumer-grade messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and SMS in healthcare, especially home care. It highlights the negative impacts on patient care quality, data security, and HIPAA compliance and provides practical solutions to enhance communication efficiency! You will learn how to: Consolidate Messaging Platforms: Streamline communication by reducing the use of multiple apps, improving efficiency in patient care.

article thumbnail

To Paxlovid or Not?

Chicago Caregiving

Who benefits from the Covid antiviral drug Paxlovid, and how does it work? Pam and Jon (who wish to remain anonymous for this story) are two former Chicagoans living in southern California. They took great care during the pandemic not to catch Covid-19. They masked, attended outdoor events only, and took all recommended shots and boosters. But over Christmas 2022, their luck ran out; the couple tested positive for Covid.

article thumbnail

How Seniors Can Stay Safe In Extremely Hot Weather

Accessible Home Health Care

As summer peaks, the biggest concern for our senior loved ones centers on the heat and humidity levels. We still want to go outside and enjoy the fresh air, but not being aware of the weather could do more harm than good to our loved one’s health. We can enjoy the outside in many ways while being aware of how the heat affects our senior family members.

article thumbnail

Why Nurses Need Systemic Change to Overcome Job Burnout

Daily Nurse

Nurses are leaving the workforce at an unsustainable rate, pushing the entire U.S. healthcare ecosystem to the brink. As many as 100,000 nurses left the workforce during the pandemic, and within the next four years, 900,000, or almost one-fifth of the 4.5 million total registered nurses, will do the same. The wake of COVID-19 has left us with little choice: enact immediate, systemic change or risk accelerating the issue.

Nursing 98
article thumbnail

Inside Kansas’ 5-Year Plan to Expand Palliative Care

Hospice News

This spring, Kansas launched a five-year plan to make palliative care more accessible to its nearly 3 million residents. The seeds of the plan were planted in 2018 when the legislature established the state’s Palliative Care and Quality of Life Interdisciplinary Advisory Council. The group was charged with advising the state Department of Health on establishing an effective, sustainable palliative care program, figuring out how to evaluate the effectiveness of that program and how to ensure resi

article thumbnail

The Secret to Supercharging Your Organizations Communications

Effective collaboration among all care team members is critical to delivering better patient outcomes. A key element to achieving effective collaboration is through the implementation of a clinical communication and collaboration platform. In a fast-paced, high-stress and critical environment, people tend to do whatever gets the job done. Therefore will scramble and use the systems, people, or processes around them to get an outcome more quickly - which can often be at the expense of quality.