Category: Change On Blog (Professional)

Asking a client about their end-of-life wishes can feel uncomfortable, even for seasoned professionals. Yet older adults may be less afraid of dying than of upsetting their loved ones. Health professionals can help by creating a safe space for clients to talk about their end-of-life wishes, and by guiding the family through each stage of […]

In the previous blog, Polypharmacy: Geriatric Health Crisis on the Rise, we looked at factors that are fueling the rise in polypharmacy, defined as the simultaneous use of five or more prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, or dietary supplements. In this blog, we’ll focus on strategies to address the problem, and why this is imperative […]

“In the United States, we’ve been taught to expect that there’s a pill for everything, and modern medicine has often delivered on that expectation,” said Dr. Nick Schneeman, Lifespark Chief Medical Officer. “It’s also contributed to the rise of polypharmacy, a massive problem for frail and complex populations.” Polypharmacy is defined as the simultaneous use […]

It says a lot about an organization when your people (voluntarily and anonymously) give you kudos for your workplace culture, career advancement opportunities, pay and benefits, training and mentorship, commitment to innovation, and overall job satisfaction—especially after such a tough year. That’s why we’re delighted to announce that Lifespark has won for the first time […]

The global COVID-19 pandemic has heightened our awareness of the myriad moral and ethical dilemmas facing healthcare workers, from home health aides to hospice caregivers. According to certified hospice and palliative care nurse, Lores Vlaminck, MA, BSN, RN, CHPN, issues include balancing professional obligation with fear of exposure, working with limited or inadequate PPE, and […]

Lifespark’s Diabetes Awareness Campaign Supporting You And Your Clients and Families November is National Diabetes Awareness Month but given that one in four adults (26.8%) age 65 and older has type 2 diabetes, Lifespark is devoting the next three months to diabetes awareness and education. There’s another, even more urgent reason we’re focusing on this […]

Decades ago, my mother was dying in a small hospital in southern Minnesota. Meighan, my sister, was sitting in the hall outside of her room when a hospice nurse paid a first visit. Here’s what Meighan overheard: Hospice Nurse: “Do you have anyone you can talk to about your death?” Mom: “No. The only one […]

Remember when Amazon sold only books, Netflix rented DVDs by mail, and Lifespark was a scrappy little private-pay home care agency? Since their modest beginnings, all three have not only changed their business models, they’ve transformed entire business sectors. Amazon and Netflix need no further explanation, so allow me to update you on Lifespark, a […]

Lifespark is ready to spark your life! Join our team! For many of us, this year did not go as planned. But at the same time, perhaps it has given us permission to pause and rethink how we want to live our lives and reevaluate what we want from our careers – greater work/life balance, […]

Helping people age magnificently doesn’t end when a terminal or serious diagnosis is given. We believe it’s in those times a spark is needed most. There is so much we can do within late life experiences for clients and their families to nurture and support all that makes life worth living – addressing challenges and […]