Andy Arwari MD MS FACP SFHM FAAHPM HMDC’s Post

Only 12% of dementia patients ever enroll in hospice, with one-third of those near death. In comparison, patients over 60 with cancer enroll in hospice 70% of the time. Silveira highlights the challenges dementia patients face in accessing hospice care due to how it is structured and paid for in the U.S. According to Silveira, the "impossible trade-off" of foregoing other care to receive hospice is a major deterrent for many patients who value their current specialized dementia care teams. Moving to hospice often means transitioning to generalist clinicians and a limited list of approved medications. Silveira sheds light on the barriers preventing dementia patients from accessing hospice care, emphasizing the need to address the unique needs and preferences of this patient population. #HospiceCare #DementiaAwareness #PatientCare #chapca #hospice

Initiating Hospice For Senior Dementia Patients: Best Timing Deciding when to call hospice for an elderly parent with dementia can be one of the most difficult and emotional choices a family ever has to make. At a certain point, curative treatment may no longer be beneficial, and the focus should shift to ensuring the patient’s comfort and quality of life in their remaining time. This is where hospice care comes in.

Tuesday Health is thrilled to share a recent article from Palliative Care News explaining that CMS has launched the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) payment model, with nearly 400 healthcare organizations, including many palliative care providers, participating! The GUIDE model is designed to enhance the quality of life for dementia patients and their caregivers by addressing care coordination, behavioral health, and functional needs. The model also focuses on reducing strain on unpaid caregivers and helping patients remain in their homes and communities. 🌟 Key Highlights: - Close to 400 participating organizations, including hospice and palliative care providers. - Designed to improve dementia care through comprehensive, person-centered assessments and care plans. - Features 24/7 access to caregiver navigation and support lines. The launch of the GUIDE model aligns perfectly with our mission at Tuesday Health to transform the management of serious illnesses and improve patient outcomes through innovative, value-based care models. 📈 As we continue to follow and support these advancements, we are committed to leveraging such models to enhance our care delivery and support systems. Learn more about the GUIDE model and its impact: https://hubs.la/Q02GnY4q0 #TuesdayHealth #DementiaCare #PalliativeCare #GUIDEModel #HealthcareInnovation

The Quality of Communication Matters! A tale of two dying at home experiences. My mom died at home. The Edmonton Zone palliative care nurse practitioner talked to us about what we might expect. She also made sure we were prepared to deal with symptoms. My friend Linda was not so lucky when her brother died at home in Ontario with cancer. "I did not sign up for that. I still have nightmares." Linda and her sister-in-law were not prepared for the symptoms they had to deal with. So this article caught my eye: Which has more influence on a family’s assessment of the quality of dying of their long-term care resident with dementia: Frequency of symptoms or quality of communication with healthcare team? Oliva Charest-Drapeau Veronique Provencher et al. What are key factors that contribute to a family's assessment of the quality of dying for their loved one in long-term care? 1. Frequency of Symptoms: The symptoms experienced by the resident in the last weeks of life play a significant role in family assessments of the quality of dying. Residents who exhibit less discomfort, restlessness, and psychological distress tend to be perceived as having a better quality of dying. 2. Quality of Communication with Healthcare Team: The quality of communication between healthcare providers and families is crucial in influencing family assessments of the quality of dying. Effective communication can lead to better understanding, support, and decision-making, ultimately impacting the overall perception of the dying experience. 3. Involvement in Care Decisions: Families' involvement in care decisions, especially at the end of life, can influence their perception of the quality of dying. Shared decision-making and collaboration between families and care teams are essential for supporting families and ensuring that care decisions align with the resident's needs and wishes. 4. Pain and Suffering: Freedom from pain and suffering is universally considered important for a high-quality dying experience. Residents who experience less physical and psychological distress are more likely to be perceived as having a peaceful and better quality of dying. 5. End-of-Life Discussions: Initiating end-of-life discussions and providing information about expected signs and symptoms of dementia can help prepare families for what to expect at the end of life. Open and honest conversations can contribute to a better understanding of the dying process and potentially improve family assessments of the quality of dying. Sorry, this article is under paywall. https://lnkd.in/gwAKiFmj

🌐 Enroll in the GUIDE Model Today! 🌐 Attention Medicare Part B organizations, committed to advancing quality dementia care. ⏰ Act Now: The deadline for enrollment is fast approaching. The last day to sign up as a participant in the Guide Model is January 30, 2024. Enroll here: https://go.cms.gov/3EzgyZp 🔍 What the GUIDE Model Offers: ✨ Improved quality of life for those living with dementia ✨ Reduced strain on the unpaid caregivers ✨ Ability to live at home longer How Dementia Care Specialists can help: • Our highly regarded Dementia Capable Care Specialist Credential training covers many of the Care Navigator mandatory training topics. • We have developed a Dementia Capable Care system with assessments, care plan and family support tools that can be key components of your dementia care program. • As highly experienced experts in dementia care at home, we can consult to help you and your team prepare for success and meet challenges. Contact us or visit https://bit.ly/3RQrqtm to learn more. #GUIDEModel #DementiaCare #LastChanceEnrollment

Hospice provides compassionate care for those with a life expectancy of six months or less, prioritizing symptom management and quality of life. An interdisciplinary team addresses physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs, supporting both the patient and their family. Who can benefit from hospice care? • Adults with a terminal illness • Also available for children • Common diagnoses include cancer, heart disease, dementia, and more Initiating Hospice Care: • Inform healthcare providers of the preference for hospice care • Qualification involves certification by hospice and attending/specialist physicians • Self and family referral is possible but requires physician confirmation Understanding hospice empowers individuals and families to navigate end-of-life care with compassion and informed decision-making. https://lnkd.in/gGekqpTE #HospiceCare #EndOfLifeSupport #QueenCityHospice

For my rehabilitation therapy colleagues who provide dementia care with the aim of keeping individuals in their homes, keep your eyes on this new and developing CMS care model with consideration of potential collaborative partnerships with other healthcare providers. #occupationaltherapy #speechlanguagepathology #physicaltherapy #dementiacare #valuebasedcare

Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are progressive diseases that eventually lead to end of life for those suffering. When your loved one reaches more challenging stages of dementia, hospice care is extremely valuable. Hospice is a specialized type of care that focuses on comfort and quality of life for patients who are terminally ill. Learn how you can transition your loved one to hospice care with peace of mind at https://nuvi.me/gly2r7. #AlzheimersAwarenessMonth

Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are progressive diseases that eventually lead to end of life for those suffering. When your loved one reaches more challenging stages of dementia, hospice care is extremely valuable. Hospice is a specialized type of care that focuses on comfort and quality of life for patients who are terminally ill. Learn how you can transition your loved one to hospice care with peace of mind at https://nuvi.me/cagx4b. #AlzheimersAwarenessMonth

Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are progressive diseases that eventually lead to end of life for those suffering. When your loved one reaches more challenging stages of dementia, hospice care is extremely valuable. Hospice is a specialized type of care that focuses on comfort and quality of life for patients who are terminally ill. Learn how you can transition your loved one to hospice care with peace of mind at https://nuvi.me/hdmtkd. #AlzheimersAwarenessMonth