Tuesday Health’s Post

Barriers to hospice care for individuals with dementia can be multifaceted and complex. Dementia is often underdiagnosed or diagnosed late, leading to delayed referrals to hospice care. Patients should be allowed to plan their care as much as possible, which makes it essential to have clear conversations about diagnosis and prognosis. Unfortunately, when not done, patients will have shorter hospice stays and less effective end-of-life care. Predicting the trajectory of dementia is challenging, making it difficult to determine when a patient qualifies for hospice care. Medicare criteria require a prognosis of six months or less. We should revisit this criterion as not every end-of-life patient, especially those patients with dementia will meet it before needing and benefiting from the support of a hospice interdisciplinary team. 👇 #palliative #palliativemedicine #palliativecare #hospice #hospicecare #endoflifecare #soinspalliatifs #cuidadospaliativos #palliativezorg #hpm #hapc

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

#PalliativeCare services can make sense for a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (#PACE) organization for several reasons: 1. #ComprehensiveCare Approach: PACE orgs aim to provide comprehensive care to their participants, addressing their medical, social and emotional needs. Palliative care fits into that by focusing on improving the quality of life for individuals facing serious illness, regardless of their prognosis. 2. Meeting participant needs: Many of those enrolled in PACE have multiple #chronicconditions and may benefit from palliative care to manage symptoms, alleviate pain, and address emotional and spiritual concerns. 3. Enhanced #carecoordination: Palliative care involves a team-based approach with coordination between medical professionals, social workers, spiritual advisors and other specialists. This aligns with the interdisciplinary care model typically employed by PACE. 4. Support for families: Palliative care also extends support to participants' families, providing counseling, education and assistance with decision-making. This can be particularly valuable for PACE participants and their families as they navigate complex #healthcare decisions. 5. Alignment with PACE principles: PACE emphasizes the importance of participant-centered care, which aligns with the principles of palliative care that prioritize the individual's goals, values and preferences in treatment decisions. 6. Cost-effectiveness: Providing palliative care services within the PACE model may also contribute to cost savings by preventing unnecessary hospitalizations, reducing emergency room visits and promoting efficient use of healthcare resources. Jim Parker, editor of Hospice News and Palliative Care News, explores this intersection here: https://lnkd.in/gS5MpjwE

Here is a quick hospice-quality read from ARHQ. Looks like providers who serve ALF communities have work to do. Link Identified Between Hospice Provider Volume and Quality of Care in Assisted Living Facilities Hospice providers serving more assisted-living patients tended to receive lower-quality ratings than those caring for fewer patients, according to an AHRQ-funded study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Researchers based their findings on AHRQ’s Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Provider and Systems (CAHPS) Hospice Survey, which assesses the experiences of hospice patients who subsequently die and their caregivers. They found that among high-volume assisted-living hospice providers, quality was lower across several domains including pain assessment, dyspnea treatment, emotional support, team communications and family care training. Access the abstract - https://lnkd.in/eRv7QJtm

Gain a comprehensive understanding of hospice care for Alzheimer's patients👇 https://bit.ly/3QJDSuA #alzheimersCare #hospicesupport #endoflifecare #redrockhospice

On July 31, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new comprehensive and person-centered approach to #dementia care by introducing the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model—a groundbreaking care model. The GUIDE Model, which will be run through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, is designed to reduce caregiver strain and enable people living with dementia to remain in their #homes. The model advances a population-based approach that includes payments for #medical and non-medical elements of care, standardizes a core set of services, uses care navigators within care teams, and improves care coordination. https://lnkd.in/eHA_f4_G

According to a study at the Journal of Palliative Medicine, home-based #PalliativeCare, delivered to people not yet eligible for hospice, reduces hospitalizations, increases length of life, and extends the continuum of care delivered at home for people with serious illnesses and their #caregivers. This demonstrates that health plans and other payers can increase access to high-quality care for their beneficiaries and a higher quality-of-life for people with serious illness and their caregivers without a significant impact on cost of care.⚕️ Read More: https://lnkd.in/eX7eTYEz

🌟 Transforming Hospice Care: The Role of End-of-Life Doulas, Dementia Doulas, and Health Navigators 🌟 In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, it's crucial for hospice organizations to innovate and distinguish themselves. One powerful way to achieve this is by integrating End-of-Life Doulas, Dementia Doulas, and Health Navigators into our care teams. 🔹 **End-of-Life Doulas** bring a compassionate presence and holistic support to patients and their families, offering emotional, spiritual, and practical assistance during the final stages of life. Their expertise ensures that every individual's end-of-life journey is as peaceful and meaningful as possible. 🔹 **Dementia Doulas** specialize in understanding the unique challenges faced by dementia patients. They provide tailored care plans and continuous support, helping to alleviate the stress and confusion that often accompanies dementia. This specialized care enhances the quality of life for patients and offers much-needed relief to their families. 🔹 **Health Navigators** play a pivotal role in guiding patients and their families through the complexities of the healthcare system. They help coordinate care, facilitate communication between providers, and ensure that patients' needs and preferences are met with respect and dignity. By embracing these roles, hospice organizations can: 1. **Enhance Patient Care:** Provide personalized, patient-centered care that addresses the diverse needs of individuals and their families. 2. **Improve Family Support:** Offer comprehensive resources and emotional support to families during a challenging time. 3. **Stand Out in the Market:** Differentiate themselves as leaders in compassionate, innovative end-of-life care. As we look to the future, let's commit to integrating these valuable roles into our hospice care teams. Together, we can create a more supportive, dignified, and compassionate end-of-life experience for everyone we serve. #HospiceCare #EndOfLifeDoulas #DementiaDoulas #HealthNavigators #PatientCenteredCare #HealthcareInnovation

I found this article interesting and chock full of data. This quote, in particular, caught my attention: 🌟'Service Diversification: Hospice care is diversifying its services to cater to a broader range of needs. New specialized programs, such as pediatric palliative care and end-of-life doula services, are being introduced. These initiatives focus on the specific requirements of different patient groups, improving both emotional and physical support at the end of life. By addressing these varied needs, hospices can significantly enhance the quality of care and support they provide.’ Clip source: Hospice Market Surge: Expected to Hit $182.1 Billion by 2033 https://lnkd.in/eN2QcDwY

🌟 Exciting advancements in hospice care! 🌟 Transitioning patients to hospice in a timely manner has long been a challenge, often resulting in unnecessary suffering and patients spending their final days in emergency rooms or inpatient settings. This challenge has motivated researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital to implement an AI-assisted program to help streamline the transition and ensure hospice teams are available within 1-2 hours. The innovative hospice transition program leverages AI algorithms to identify individuals who may benefit from hospice services directly from the ED. Once identified, a multidisciplinary team, including Palliative care specialists, assists families in making this crucial transition. This approach ensures that end-of-life care is provided promptly and compassionately, prioritizing patient comfort and dignity. Identifying hospice-eligible patients quickly makes it easier on patients and their families and certainly improves throughput in a busy ER. Bravo to Brigham and Women’s Hospital for the innovative use of AI to improve outcomes and reduce suffering! #HospiceTransition #EndOfLifeCare #ComplexCare #HealthcareInnovation #AIinHealthcare #CompassionateCare