Spring was an impactful season of relationship-building, education, and collaboration for the AmanaCare team in Lincoln. From presenting at the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association Conference to speaking with workforce leaders at EmployLNK’s monthly Chamber meeting, these opportunities allowed us to advocate for stronger support systems for both caregivers and Nebraska families.
Presenting at the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association Conference
AmanaCare was honored to attend and present at the annual Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association conference in Lincoln.
Representing AmanaCare at the conference were:
- Heather Schanou, Director of Marketing
- Mikah Christensen, Director of Care Coordination
In addition to presenting, AmanaCare hosted a vendor table throughout the duration of the conference, allowing attendees to learn more about the company’s services, Care360 philosophy, and approach to collaboration with hospice providers.
Throughout the event, Heather and Mikah connected with hospice leaders, social workers, discharge planners, nurses, chaplains, and healthcare professionals from across Nebraska. These conversations created opportunities to discuss how non-medical home care can help strengthen the hospice experience for patients and families.
Exploring the Economics of Hospice & Home Care Collaboration
The presentation focused on an increasingly important topic in healthcare today: the economics of hospice and home care collaboration.
Heather and Mikah discussed the growing pressures hospice agencies face, including:
- Rising labor and staffing costs
- Increasing patient acuity
- Caregiver burnout
- Regulatory and documentation burdens
- The strain created when families lack enough support in the home
The presentation emphasized that supportive, non-medical home care is not a replacement for hospice care — it is a complementary service that works alongside hospice to stabilize the home environment between clinical visits.
One of the key messages shared during the presentation was that hospice clinicians provide skilled, intermittent medical oversight, while non-medical caregivers provide the continuous daily presence that families often desperately need.
Examples of supportive care discussed included:
- Meal preparation
- Companionship
- Medication reminders
- Mobility support
- Light housekeeping
- Safety monitoring
- Respite for exhausted family caregivers
The presentation also highlighted how stronger collaboration between hospice agencies and home care providers can:
- Reduce unnecessary emergency room visits
- Help families avoid crisis situations
- Improve communication between care teams
- Support longer, more stable hospice stays
- Protect family caregivers from burnout
Mikah also shared how AmanaCare’s Care360 Method complements hospice care by supporting:
- Community and family involvement
- Active body and mind engagement
- Religious and spiritual support
- Home safety and stability
The discussion reinforced an important truth: the best outcomes happen when organizations work together instead of operating in silos.
Building Workforce Partnerships at EmployLNK
AmanaCare also had the opportunity to participate in EmployLNK’s monthly meeting hosted through the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
Representing AmanaCare at the meeting were:
- Nikky Pierce, Director of Onboarding
- Heather Schanou, Director of Marketing
The conversation focused heavily on employment opportunities within caregiving, as well as AmanaCare’s Legally Responsible Individual (LRI) Program.
During the meeting, Nikky and Heather discussed:
- Caregiving career opportunities across Nebraska
- Flexible scheduling options
- Family caregiver opportunities through the LRI Program
- Paid training and onboarding support
- The qualities AmanaCare looks for in caregivers
- How meaningful caregiving careers can positively impact both employees and clients
The LRI Program generated especially meaningful conversations because it allows qualifying family members to become paid caregivers for loved ones receiving approved services. For many families, this program creates financial relief while allowing care to remain in the hands of someone the client already knows and trusts.
AmanaCare also connected with employment specialists and community partners who work with individuals interested in caregiving careers or supportive services for individuals with disabilities.
Why These Conversations Matter
Both events reinforced something AmanaCare strongly believes:
Strong care requires strong collaboration.
Whether partnering with hospice agencies, workforce organizations, or community leaders, these relationships help create better support systems for Nebraska seniors, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and family caregivers.
As Nebraska’s aging population continues to grow, the need for compassionate caregivers and coordinated care models becomes increasingly important. By participating in conferences, educational events, and workforce partnerships, AmanaCare continues working to strengthen care accessibility and caregiver support across the state.
To learn more about AmanaCare’s caregiving careers, visit careers.amana-care.com
To get more information on the Legally Responsible Individual (LRI) program, go to lri.amana-care.com
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