Iowa news
Linn County joins Dementia Friendly America network
Mercy Medical Center and The Chris and Suzy DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging and Dementia of Mercy have announced that Linn County is now part of the Dementia Friendly America network as a Dementia Friendly Community initiative. Linn County is the sixth Iowa community to join the DFA network in this capacity. The goal of becoming a Dementia Friendly Community is to reduce the stigma about dementia and help residents feel more comfortable interacting with people living with dementia. It also signals that a community is engaging in a process to become more dementia friendly. (Corridor Business Journal)
St. Croix Hospice opens new branch in Clarinda
St. Croix Hospice has expanded its presence in Iowa with a new branch in Clarinda. This is the 15th St. Croix Hospice branch in Iowa, which helps patients and families residing in the surrounding communities access hospice care from local caregivers and clinical staff. The new Clarinda branch places local care teams and resources in communities that need a greater connection to end-of-life care. St. Croix Hospice serves more than 4,400 patients in the Midwest. Taking an integrated approach to hospice care, St. Croix Hospice provides physical, emotional and spiritual support that meets each patient’s unique needs. (Morningstar)
Iowa’s life expectancy sees increase, according to study
According to a University of Iowa study, Iowa’s life expectancy is now in the 80s. It’s one part of an age “megatrend” in the state. The report also finds Iowa has the highest percentage of residents over 80. By 2030, those 65 and older could outnumber people 18 and younger. This is thanks to Iowa’s resources, which have made it an excellent place to grow older. Scattered across Iowa are age-friendly areas that are accommodating for older Iowans. These areas have an abundance of resources like accessible health care facilities. (KCRG)
National news
Hospital jobs with the most employees nearing retirement
Within health care organizations, facilities services and health information management have the most significant baby boomer populations (both above 25%) and the most significant retirement risk. The finding is from SullivanCotter’s 2023 Workforce Metrics Benchmark Survey. The survey includes data from 73 health care organizations representing a combined workforce of more than 1.4 million employees across 19 job families, six career-level categories and three demographic groupings. (SullivanCotter)
Health care jobs continue to grow
The U.S. health care labor market has had a solid start to 2024, with the industry seeing continued job growth in certain areas on top of January’s growth. The finding is from the jobs report the Bureau of Labor Statistics published this month. Health care added 66,700 jobs in February, higher than the average monthly gain of 58,000 over the previous 12 months. Last month, employment continued to trend up in ambulatory health care services (28,000), hospitals (27,700) and nursing and residential care facilities (11,000). Last month, Employment increased in physician offices (8,700) and home health care services (12,900). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
How Nebraska Medicine is bucking nurse turnover
After Nebraska Medicine turned to artificial intelligence, the organization reduced first-year nurse turnover by 47%. Nebraska Medicine witnessed a significant rise in nurse retirements in recent years and faced an increasing number of patients requiring care. Additionally, the burnout and fatigue resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the broader nursing shortages necessitated a reevaluation of how the organization engaged with its staff. Nebraska Medicine deployed a platform to streamline and automate workflows to address these challenges and create a deeper engagement with employees. (Becker’s Health IT)