Literature Review



Why Silverado’s new CEO thinks memory care must ‘be bold’ to serve new customers

02/26/26 at 03:00 AM

Why Silverado’s new CEO thinks memory care must ‘be bold’ to serve new customers Senior Housing News; by Austin Montgomery; 2/24/26 Memory care providers today must take bold approaches to develop the next generation of new leadership and serve the incoming baby boomer generation. That’s according to Silverado CEO Designate Wayne Sanner. Last year, Sanner joined the California-based memory care provider with plans to take over for longtime CEO Loren Shook, who will transition to a role as the operator’s executive chairman of the board later this year.

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New nonprofit helps Summit families facing terminal illnesses

02/26/26 at 03:00 AM

New nonprofit helps Summit families facing terminal illnesses Summit Daily; by Summit Daily Staff; 2/24/26 The newly launched nonprofit Lean on Us aims to provide support services for individuals and families in Summit County dealing with terminal illness. A news release from the nonprofit stated it will provide physical, social, emotional and financial support, complementing the work of existing nonprofits, healthcare providers and caregivers in the county. Lean on Us’ nonmedical assistance will include companionship, caregiver respite, transportation, meal support, emergency financial assistance, accommodations, resource coordination and help with day-to-day tasks.

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It’s not the load that breaks you down; it’s ...

02/26/26 at 03:00 AM

It’s not the load that breaks you down; it’s the way you carry it. ~ Lena Horne

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How scenario planning and driver-based forecasting work together

02/26/26 at 03:00 AM

How scenario planning and driver-based forecasting work together WriteUpCafe.com; by Nicolas Diaz; 2/26/25 In today’s fast-paced business environment, organizations must navigate uncertainty while maintaining operational efficiency and financial discipline. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by combining scenario planning and driver-based forecasting. By integrating these two approaches, companies gain the flexibility to model multiple future outcomes while tying forecasts to the key operational and financial drivers that truly impact performance. This fusion provides a robust framework for strategic decision-making, risk management, and long-term planning. ...

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Hospice use rising for seniors following ICU stays

02/26/26 at 03:00 AM

Hospice use rising for seniors following ICU stays U.S. News & World Report; by Deanna Neff, HealthDay News; 2/25/26For many older Americans, the intensive care unit (ICU) is a place of aggressive, life-saving intervention. However, a new national study reveals that more seniors are choosing a different path — transitioning from the high-tech world of the ICU to the comfort-focused environment of hospice. ... Between 2011 and 2023, the number of Medicare beneficiaries discharged to hospice after an ICU stay increased significantly, researchers from Boston University’s School of Medicine found. This shift occurred even as overall death rates remained steady, suggesting that the change in setting wasn’t tied to more people dying, but rather about how and where people spent their final days.Editor's Note: We posted a similar article on 2/23/26. We post this article for your awareness and use, due to its high profile in U.S. News & World Report.

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Be where you are: Leadership, caregiving, and the courage to pause with Carla Davis | part one

02/26/26 at 03:00 AM

Be where you are: Leadership, caregiving, and the courage to pause with Carla Davis | part one Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux with Carla Davis; 2/25/26 In this powerful episode on Hospice leadership and healthcare leadership development, Carla Davis, Executive in Residence at Cressey & Company, shares what she learned after taking an intentional executive sabbatical to care for her mother. This conversation explores the intersection of caregiver resilience, leadership and burnout, and rediscovering identity beyond professional titles. 

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The trends—and traps—shaping 2026

02/26/26 at 02:00 AM

The trends—and traps—shaping 2026 JD Supra; by Morgan Lewis; 2/24/26 The global business landscape in 2026 is marked by accelerating political realignments, intensifying regulatory oversight, rapid technological maturation, and shifting market expectations. In this year’s report, our lawyers assess the trends and emerging risk areas that organizations across industries and regions are likely to encounter in 2026 and beyond. Drawing on insights from a dynamic array of developments—from the business repercussions of geopolitical recalibration to the continued expansion of transformative technologies—this compilation delivers a forward-looking perspective designed to support informed strategy and purposeful decision-making for businesses worldwide.

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Value-based models, Medicaid driving palliative care changes in 2026

02/25/26 at 03:00 AM

Value-based models, Medicaid driving palliative care changes in 2026 Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 2/23/26 The palliative care landscape has seen tremendous growth in recent years, according to Brynn Bowman, CEO of the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). Evolutions in value-based and state-level payment models have played an important role in moving the needle toward greater standardization, Bowman said during Hospice News’ Palliative Care Outlook webinar. ...

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Chapters Health System announces agreement with Housecall Providers

02/25/26 at 03:00 AM

Chapters Health System announces agreement with Housecall Providers Chapters Health System, Temple Terrace, FL; Press Release; 2/24/26 Chapters Health System ... announced today that the Board of Directors of Housecall Providers and its parent company, CareOregon, has submitted a definitive agreement for Housecall Providers to become part of Chapters Health. Pending approval of the Oregon Health Authority's Health Care Market Oversight program, this agreement will further expand the Chapters Health System's presence in the Pacific Northwest and align two nonprofit organizations committed to providing high-quality, community-based chronic illness care.

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Palliative care and quality outcomes in patients with brain metastases and poor prognosis: A multi-institutional analysis

02/25/26 at 03:00 AM

Palliative care and quality outcomes in patients with brain metastases and poor prognosis: A multi-institutional analysis JCO Oncology Practice - An American Society of Clinical Oncology Journal; by Rohit Singh, MD, Camilo E. Fadul, MD, Emily Kopp, MS, Guneet Sarai, MD, Roger Anderson, PhD, Ryan F. Amidon, MD, Samantha Schuetz, MD, Amy Chang, MD, Ausia N. Iqbal, MD, Joseph A. Bovi, MD, and Alissa A. Thomas, MD; 2/23/26 Purpose: To analyze the patterns of palliative care (PC) consultation for patients with brain metastases (BMETs) and its association with treatment, overall survival (OS), and quality metrics (eg, advance directives [ADs], hospice enrollment). Conclusion: The involvement of PC services correlated with higher completion rates of ADs and increased hospice utilization, without compromising survival or significantly altering other treatment options. There is an unmet need for PC among patients with BMETs with poor prognosis.

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‘Part of the deal’: Essential workers brave storm as authorities urge residents to stay home

02/25/26 at 03:00 AM

‘Part of the deal’: Essential workers brave storm as authorities urge residents to stay home GBH News; by Jeremy Siegel and Marilyn Schairer; 2/23/26 [Note the date] Massachusetts is under a state of emergency, but that isn’t stopping essential workers from braving whiteout conditions and hurricane-force winds today. A powerful Nor’easter is expected to blanket the region with up to 2 feet of snow. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has urged all residents to stay home if possible. Flights and Amtrak trains have largely ground to a halt, and hundreds of thousands of households have lost power. Early this morning, though, hundreds of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals still trudged through the dense snow. ... [Click here for "Final town-by-town snow totals: Here's what fell in Mass. during the Feb. 23 blizzard."]Editor's Note: Bravo to all hospice essential workers who braved the storm to tend patients and their caregivers. So, what happens when a blizzard collides with a person actively dying?  Think it through. Family desparately tries to get there? The person dies? Neither your teams nor the funeral home rep can get to the home? Think it through and prepare, now:

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The cost of dying: How rising funeral, end of life expenses leave families struggling long after goodbye

02/25/26 at 03:00 AM

The cost of dying: How rising funeral, end of life expenses leave families struggling long after goodbye NBC WBIR-10, Knoxville, TN; by Ellis Rold; 2/23/26 From five-figure funeral costs to long-term care that can run more than $10,000 a month, the price of dying in Tennessee is leaving many families financially strained long after they say goodbye. Planning for death is something many families put off. But experts say that delay can come at a high financial cost.

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[Finland] A value chain analysis of digitalizing hospital-at-home services in Finland

02/25/26 at 03:00 AM

[Finland] A value chain analysis of digitalizing hospital-at-home services in Finland Health Care Management Review; by Fan Wang, Henna Härkönen, Gillian Vesty, Terhi-Maija Isakov, Petri Ahokangas, Irina Atkova, Miia Jansson, April-June 2026, online ahead of print Purposes: The aim of this study is to explore the value of digitalization in the hospital-at-home (HaH) value chain in Finland. This qualitative study used both deductive and inductive methods to map the HaH value chain and find out how digitalization can help improve value-added activities.Findings: This study highlights the value of data interoperability, remote and real-time digital solutions, data analytics in enhancing coordination and efficiency, optimizing service delivery, improving patient experience, and supporting cost-effectiveness across the HaH value chain.

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Canisius shapes future physicians through compassionate care

02/25/26 at 03:00 AM

Canisius shapes future physicians through compassionate care Canisius University, Buffalo, NY; Press Release; 2/23/26 At the bedside of someone’s final moments, silence often speaks louder than words.  For students from Canisius University, that quiet became a teacher of one of the most powerful lessons of their education — one that cannot be learned from textbooks alone. Through specialized training, a group of undergraduate students discovered that medicine is not only about treating illness but about presence, dignity and care as they served as mercy doulas at Sloan Comfort Care Home, where they learned to provide companionship and steady support to those nearing the end of life.

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Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world ...

02/25/26 at 03:00 AM

Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better. ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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As more states legalize assisted suicide, boomers contemplate end-of-life choices

02/25/26 at 03:00 AM

As more states legalize assisted suicide, boomers contemplate end-of-life choices The Washington Post; 2/24/26 While polling has shown that a majority of Americans favor the legality of the practice for terminally ill patients, people are more split on the morality. [Access may be limited per paywall.]

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My family member passed away — do I get a discount for bereavement travel?

02/25/26 at 02:00 AM

My family member passed away — do I get a discount for bereavement travel? Fodor's Travel |"Dear Eugene"; by Eugene Fodor; 2/23/26 In this month’s "Dear Eugene," we explore the benefits bereavement travelers have and tap experts for the best way to navigate grief while moving through the world. ... Several airlines (not all) offer bereavement fares, waivers, or what’s sometimes called “compassion fares,” but that doesn’t always mean you’ll save money. The real benefit of bereavement fares is the greater flexibility they offer.

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Hospital chaplain shares what end-of-life patients regret most

02/25/26 at 02:00 AM

Hospital chaplain shares what end-of-life patients regret most Religion Unplugged; by Elizabeth Eisenstadt Evans; 2/24/26 ... In her research focused on the greater Boston area, Brandeis University professor (now President of Bryn Mawr College) Wendy Cadge found that many chaplains — whether they serve in hospitals, prisons or the military — often focus on end-of-life care and “big questions,” ones that might arise more forcefully in a time of crisis. ... When I’m with people near the end of their lives, what I most often witness is not fear of death itself, but grief over unfinished relationships and or unexpressed parts of the self. Many people grieve time they now see as wasted on what felt urgent in the moment but unimportant in hindsight — work that eclipsed connection, worry that crowded out presence, obligations that pulled them away from what actually nourished them. Alongside this is grief for words left unsaid, tenderness withheld, and versions of themselves they didn’t feel permitted to become.

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Building momentum: How new national Alliance CEO Jennifer Sheets will propel hospice forward

02/25/26 at 02:00 AM

Building momentum: How new national Alliance CEO Jennifer Sheets will propel hospice forward Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 2/24/26 The most important lessons in health care leadership are learned at the bedside, according to Jennifer Sheets, the newly appointed CEO of the National Alliance for Care at Home. ... In her first media interview since taking the helm at the Alliance, Sheets spoke with Hospice News about the organization’s priorities for 2026 and beyond, the goals and needs of hospice providers and the lessons she’s learned as a home-based care leader.

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Home-health [and hospice] provider Enhabit to go private in $1.1 billion deal with Kinderhook

02/24/26 at 03:00 AM

Home-health [and hospice] provider Enhabit to go private in $1.1 billion deal with Kinderhook Reuters; by Kamal Choudhury; 2/23/26 Enhabit (EHAB.N), said on Monday [2/23] private equity firm Kinderhook Industries will buy the home-health services provider and take it private in a deal worth about $1.1 billion. ... The Dallas‑based company will keep its name and continue operating its 249 home health locations and 117 hospice locations across 34 U.S. states. ... The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026. Enhabit said its shares will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange when the transaction closes.

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Hollywood Health System, Inc. announces major expansion of palliative care services amid record demand

02/24/26 at 03:00 AM

Hollywood Health System, Inc. announces major expansion of palliative care services amid record demand The America Watch, Toluca, CA; Press Release; 2/20/26 Hollywood Health System, Inc. (HHS), a leading provider of comprehensive post-acute clinical care, today announced a significant increase in patient enrollment within its Palliative Care Services division. To meet this rising demand due to shifting demographics, the company is methodically expanding its clinical staffing and specialized resources, reinforcing its commitment to high-quality supportive care. ... To support the growing patient census, Hollywood Health System, Inc. has increased its clinical headcount by 25% over the last two quarters. 

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Vinyl therapy brings comfort to Dell Seton patients through music and memories

02/24/26 at 03:00 AM

Vinyl therapy brings comfort to Dell Seton patients through music and memories ABC KVUE, Austin, TX; by Michael Courier; 2/23/26 At Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, palliative care physician Dr. Tyler Jorgensen rolls a record player on a cart into patients’ rooms, along with an ever‑growing library of vinyl records. The bedside music program, called ATX‑VINyL, is designed for patients facing serious or terminal diagnoses, from metastatic cancer to advancing dementia and Parkinson’s disease. In palliative medicine, Jorgensen describes his team as an “extra layer of support” that focuses on a patient’s values, stories and goals while managing symptoms and navigating difficult treatment decisions.

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‘I just wanted them not to suffer’: Should terminally ill Ohioans be able to decide when it’s time to die?

02/24/26 at 03:00 AM

‘I just wanted them not to suffer’: Should terminally ill Ohioans be able to decide when it’s time to die? The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH; by Mary Frances McGowna; 2/22/26 In a growing number of states, terminally ill patients now have a legal option that would have been unthinkable to many Americans a generation ago: a doctor’s prescription that allows them to end their own life. The question is one of the most personal in modern health policy: Should a mentally competent, terminally ill person be allowed — with state approval and medical oversight — to choose the timing of their death? ... The debate is accelerating — and it’s reaching closer to Ohio. cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer will publish a continuing series involving the multitude of issues involving end-of-life decisions, including hospice care, the costs of care for the terminally ill, ethics, legal issues and more. If you’ve experienced these issues in your family and are willing to discuss your experiences and thoughts, please email Mary Frances McGowan at mmcgowan@cleveland.com.

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Apex Hospice, ex-director settle False Claims retaliation suit

02/24/26 at 03:00 AM

Apex Hospice, ex-director settle False Claims retaliation suit Bloomberg Law; by Daniel Seiden; 2/20/26 Illinois-based Apex Hospice & Palliative Care Inc. and its former medical director reached a confidential settlement of a False Claims Act suit alleging the company fired her in retaliation for calling attention to Medicare fraud, a federal district court said Friday. Janice Makela’s suit is dismissed without prejudice, Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois said in an order.

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Co-designing a framework to communicate patient-centred outcomes in palliative care: involving patients and the public to reframe understanding

02/24/26 at 03:00 AM

Co-designing a framework to communicate patient-centred outcomes in palliative care: involving patients and the public to reframe understanding Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes; by Mevhibe B Hocaoglu, Adejoke Oluyase, Deb Smith, Rashmi Kumar, Sarah Perman, Matthew Maddocks, Sian Best, Chloe Nast, Sabrina Bajwah, Katherine E Sleeman, Irene J Higginson; 2/21/26 online ahead of print Conclusions: This study found that communication of patient-centred outcomes and Patient-Reported outcome (PRO) evidence can be strengthened through meaningful patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE). This approach helps to reframe public understanding of palliative care, highlighting its broader relevance beyond end-of-life settings. While developed in the context of palliative care, the framework offers transferable strategies for communicating complex outcomes in other often misunderstood or stigmatised areas, such as mental health and dementia care.

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