Editor’s Picks: ‘Before I Die’ Walls Promote Palliative Care

This week on Home Health Care News, we took a break from March Madness to bring you the latest in the home health industry. That included a look at how “Before I Die” walls can promote palliative care, and information about a charge against a former Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED) executive in a $7.6 million fraud scheme. Readers also wanted to know ways they can optimize their referral sources and learned about a pilot program that relies on regular people to fill care gaps for home health.

Here in the newsroom, we were interested in how contractors are tapping into the aging-in-place trend, as well as tips on how caregivers can get away without neglecting their responsibilities.

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How ‘Before I Die’ Walls Boost Palliative Care—Palliative care appears to be near a tipping point, both due to increasing demand and the ways in which home health agencies and other health care providers are figuring out how to offer and pay for it. While access to palliative care has spread in recent years, awareness and availability of these services is still considered slim. New Orleans-based artist Candy Chang, creator of the “Before I Die” walls popping up across the world, says her art and conversation sparked as a result is a natural stepping stone to the growing importance and acceptance of palliative care.

Former Amedisys Exec Charged in $7.6 Million Fraud Scheme—A former executive of one of the nation’s largest home health providers, Amedisys, has been charged in connection with a scheme bilking the company out of more than $7.6 million. David Michael Pitts, 41, is charged with wire fraud related to the scheme, which allegedly occurred between October 2006 and May 2014.

How to Find and Win the Right Referral Partners in Home Health—As the health system continues to move toward managed care and value-based purchasing, home health agencies are becoming an increasingly important partner in the continuum of care. Across the industry, data has played a big role in securing preferred partnerships for home health agencies with other types of providers, and home health and home care have a lot of options for referral sources. But not all referral sources should be treated equally.

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Pilot Program Uses Laymen to Fill Care Gaps for Home Health—As the pressure rises on home health workers and other health systems for a growing population of patients, one provider is piloting a program to fill the gaps not with caregivers, with with regular people. The program employees LifeCourse, a new project from Minnesota-based health care provider Alina Health LifeCourse. It is a late life supportive care project that helps bridge some of the gaps across the health care spectrum.

Weekend Reads

Aging-in-Place Options Most Popular with Baby Boomers—Aging in place, the trend of adapting your home as you age, has gained traction among contractors, especially as the population of Americans 65 and older continues to rise. While home renovations typically revolve around resale potential or current taste, it might be time that the discussion shifts to accommodate older adults who see staying in their current home as the most desirable option.

How to Take a Vacation When You’re a Caregiver—There’s no doubt that caregiving can be a draining experience, but getting away might seem impossible. Still, time off is necessary to stave off burnout, and that means planning ahead is crucial. Consider these tips before giving up on the idea of a vacation altogether.

Written by Kourtney Liepelt

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