Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina

06/23/2026

Casual Connections That Matter...What Does That Mean?

If someone you care for has early-stage Alzheimer's, you probably focus on the big support system—family, close friends, doctors. That's important. But don't overlook the smaller moments.

Think about the people who greet them by name:
☕ The barista who knows their order
👋 The neighbor they chat with
📚 The librarian or volunteer coordinator they see regularly
🚶 A walking group or fitness class
🌱 The person at their garden center or farmers market

These "weak tie" connections—what researchers call casual acquaintances—do something powerful: they help people feel like *themselves*. Not defined by diagnosis. Not always talking about illness. Just... normal.

For caregivers and home care workers: encourage routine activities where familiar faces show up. It takes pressure off the person, offers cognitive stimulation, and even gives the primary caregiver some breathing room.

Small, consistent interactions. Big impact on quality of life.

Read more on this topic: https://www.everydayhealth.com/alzheimers-disease/how-weak-ties-help-with-early-stage-alzheimers/

Discover how casual acquaintances, neighbors, and daily interactions — known as ‘weak ties’ — benefit mental well-being and identity in early-stage Alzheimer's.

06/22/2026

In the next decade, older adults will outnumber children under 18 in the U.S. — and most want to age at home, not in a facility. That's exactly where home care, home health, and hospice come in.
A new piece in Governing highlights a growing trend: states are building "multisector plans for aging" (MPAs) that coordinate health, housing, transportation, and labor agencies to prepare for this shift. Fourteen states have already adopted MPAs, with more considering them, and California's plan alone helped secure $3 billion in enhanced federal funding to strengthen home-based Medicaid services and fund training for more than 80,000 direct-care workers and family caregivers. governing + 2
As providers on the front lines of in-home care, we have a real stake in how these policies take shape. Worth a read 👇

Multisector frameworks for dealing with this demographic reality offer a road map that every state should follow.

06/16/2026

Our partners at GEOH are hosting a FREE webinar: "Growing Your Agency With North Carolina Waivers"

Here's what you'll walk away with:
✅ A clear understanding of how the NC waiver system works — and how to qualify
✅ The latest Innovations Waiver services you need to know
✅ What to expect at each stage, so you can plan to grow with confidence

This is the roadmap to growing your agency with confidence. Spots are limited — register now! 👇
https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5319225/E1147EF8C6B981D81EC35A3B6B2AC361?utm_campaign=34785312-North%20Carolina&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_UGS0LAH0m38ZWX1STYdOvCUzIWvBVkQueDXeTYHRXAShpOBzBsyvCbU3Rw_OX6rvM6s2vPXPE6K-Qhg7rWIRHAIqA0w&_hsmi=423933973&utm_content=423933973&utm_source=hs_email

06/11/2026

📋 Are your patients' estate plans ready for dementia?

As home health, hospice, and home care professionals, you've seen it firsthand: families in crisis, trying to make impossible decisions for a loved one with Alzheimer's — with no clear guidance on what that person would have wanted.

The problem? Standard advance directives are typically written for emergencies and end-of-life moments. They weren't designed for the slow, years-long progression of dementia. That gap can leave patients without a voice and caregivers without a roadmap.

A dementia-specific advance directive changes that. It helps individuals document their care preferences at each stage — mild, moderate, and severe — long before cognitive decline makes that impossible.

Why it matters to your work:
🔹 Over 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's — many of them your patients
🔹 Nearly 12 million unpaid caregivers are making care decisions, often without guidance
🔹 Total lifetime care costs can exceed $400,000, placing enormous burden on families

The best time to complete one? Before any symptoms appear.

📖 Read more:

With more than 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer's, having a "dementia directive" as part of one's estate plan can serve as a way to help impro...

06/10/2026

🤖 AI is coming to home care — but are your staff and patients ready?

Industry leaders are sounding the alarm: rolling out AI without addressing the fears of your team and the people you serve is a recipe for failure. From clinicians worried about job security to patients unsure about technology in their personal care, the human side of AI adoption can't be an afterthought.

The good news? Leaders say the biggest win for staff is less paperwork and more time with patients. When people understand that AI is there to reduce administrative burden — not replace the caregiver — the fear starts to melt away.

✅ Lead with transparency
✅ Involve frontline staff early
✅ Focus on what AI frees people up to do

📖 Read more: https://www.mcknightshomecare.com/news/in-implementing-ai-home-care-agencies-must-address-staff-patient-fears-leaders-say/

06/09/2026

📢 Important Update for Hospice & Home Health Providers

CMS has released new FAQ guidance clarifying its nationwide Medicare enrollment freeze for hospice providers and home health agencies — and there are some key details every provider and administrator should know.

Here's what the guidance covers:

🔹 Existing Medicare-enrolled providers may continue serving beneficiaries without disruption.
🔹 New enrollments and certain ownership changes remain on hold under the 6-month moratoria (effective May 13, 2026).
🔹 Applications submitted before May 13 can generally move forward; those submitted after will be denied.
🔹 Appeals are limited — they can only address whether the moratoria apply to a specific provider, not challenge the freeze itself.
🔹 CMS can extend the moratorium in 6-month increments if fraud concerns persist.

This is part of CMS's broader crackdown on fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare. Stay informed and share with your colleagues in home health and hospice.

👉 Read the full article:

CMS has issued new FAQ guidance clarifying its nationwide hospice and home health enrollment moratoria, including ownership changes, pending applications, appeals, and potential extensions of the Medicare enrollment freeze.

06/08/2026

Did you know more than 2.5 million Americans develop a pressure injury every year — and many of them are preventable? 🩺

For anyone caring for a loved one with limited mobility at home, awareness is everything. Pressure injuries (sometimes called bedsores) can develop within hours and, when caught late, may require months of treatment.

The good news? Caregivers are the "eyes of healthcare." Noticing redness, skin discoloration, or unusual texture in high-risk areas — and reporting it quickly — can make a critical difference.

Key things to watch for:
✅ Daily skin checks, especially at heels, hips, tailbone & elbows
✅ Regular repositioning (at least every 2 hours for bed-bound individuals)
✅ Proper cushioning and pressure-relieving equipment
✅ Staying on top of nutrition and hydration

Read the full guide from HomeCare Magazine on how to prevent pressure injuries at home 👇
https://www.homecaremag.com/aging-place-home-health/june-2026/why-awareness-best-defense-against-pressure-injuries

Learn how to prevent pressure injuries at home with effective strategies for caregivers. This guide covers essential practices for monitoring and supporting individuals with limited mobility.

06/05/2026

🌎 World Environment Day reminds us that healthy communities begin at home.

Home care, home health, and hospice providers help individuals receive compassionate, high-quality care where they are most comfortable—at home. By supporting aging in place and reducing unnecessary hospital visits, care at home strengthens communities while contributing to a more sustainable healthcare system.

Today, we celebrate the professionals who make it possible for patients to live with dignity, independence, and comfort in the place they call home. 💚

06/04/2026

Difficult conversations and tense situations are part of caregiving—but how we respond can make all the difference.

Effective de-escalation techniques help caregivers remain calm, listen actively, focus on solutions, and build trust during challenging moments. By addressing conflict early and prioritizing understanding over being "right," caregivers can create a safer, more supportive environment for those they serve.

Discover practical strategies that can strengthen caregiver-client relationships and improve outcomes for everyone involved.

Read more: https://jobs.familyresourcehomecare.com/de-escalation-techniques-caregivers/

Learn essential de-escalation techniques for caregivers and conflict resolution tips to manage challenging situations.