Literature Review

The best way to predict the future is to create it. ~Abraham Lincoln

Intention to engage in advance care planning among community dwelling adults: A quasi-experimental studyAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Lesley J. Thweatt, Katherine C. Hall, Shena Gazaway, Deborah J. Konkle-Parker, Lei Zhang; 12/25The validated Advance Care Planning Engagement Survey measured intention, knowledge, contemplation, self-efficacy, and readiness at baseline, 2-weeks, and 3-months following use of The Conversation Project Starter Guide. Advance care planning education positively influenced both the intention to engage [group] (commitment to making a change soon) and readiness to engage in advance care planning [group] among community-dwelling adults. The Conversation Project Starter Guide had a significant impact on intention to engage scores over time, with the most dramatic change observed between baseline and 2-weeks post-education. Chronic illness was a significant predictor of advance care planning engagement among community-dwelling adults.

Automated lymph node and extranodal extension assessment improves risk stratification in oropharyngeal carcinomaJournal of Clinical Oncology; by Zezhong Ye, Reza Mojahed-Yazdi, Anna Zapaishchykova, Divyanshu Tak, Maryam Mahootiha, Juan Carlos Climent Pardo, John Zielke, Benjamin H. Kann; 12/25Extranodal extension (ENE) is a biomarker in oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) but can only be diagnosed via surgical pathology. We applied an automated artificial intelligence (AI) imaging platform integrating lymph node autosegmentation with ENE prediction to determine the prognostic value of the number of predicted ENE nodes... Automated, AI-ENE node number is a novel risk factor for OPC that may better inform pretreatment risk stratification and decision-making.Publisher's Note: An interesting, and apparently effective, use of AI in prognostication.

Natural language processing to assess palliative care processes and health care utilization in seriously ill older adults with severe traumaJournal of Palliative Medicine; by Daniel I Hoffman, Sydney Moore, Mengyuan Ruan, Masami Tabata-Kelly, Kate Sciacca, Tamryn F Gray, Stuart R Lipsitz, Christine S Ritchie, Charlotta Lindvall, Zara Cooper; 12/25National guidelines recommend palliative care (PC) alongside life-sustaining treatment for older adults with severe trauma. However, outcomes associated with PC for these patients are not well-defined... Natural language processing was used to measure documentation of five inpatient PC processes: code status limitations, goals-of-care (GOC) conversations, hospice discussions, PC consultations, and health care proxy designations... PC was not associated with reduced health care utilization in older adults after trauma but was associated with one-year hospice enrollment. GOC conversations, specialty PC, and inpatient hospice discussions had low utilization, highlighting target areas for improvements in care delivery.

[Taiwan] Effects of administering essential oil blends on depressive mood and sleep quality in elderly residents with dementia in long-term care facilitiesChinese Journal of Nursing; by An-En Lin, Wan-Ching Shen, Yueh-Yuan Chang, Mei-Hsiu Shen, Jing-Jy Wang; 12/25Depression and poor sleep quality are common symptoms among people with dementia. Inhalation-based aromatherapy, a non-pharmacological intervention known to help alleviate these symptoms, may be used therapeutically in long-term care facilities, especially those facing staff shortages. After pre-test data collection, the participants received a twice-daily aromatherapy intervention five days per week for two weeks. Improvements in overall depression, behavioral disturbances, physical symptoms, and emotion-related symptoms were found between pre- and post-test measurements. Also, positive effects on overall sleep quality, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction were recorded.

Together we remember: Using topic modeling and semantic networks to study obituaries and collective memories of contemporary United States Omega - Journal of Death and Dying; Haojian Li, Chengfang Wang, and Ping Hu; 12/6/25 Obituaries have long served as an important source in recording memories and social values in the United States. However, prior research has focused primarily on celebrities or specific groups, often overlooking the narratives of ordinary citizens and neglecting broader discussions of their collective memories. This study addresses these gaps by applying large-scale data analysis and computational methods. ... Overall, this study contributes new insights to obituary research and introduces a novel framework for examining collective memory through large-scale commemorative texts.

“Can We Talk?” A community-based training to improve serious illness communication Home Healthcare Now; by Ashley Kaminski Petkis, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC and Eric Hackenson, DPT; Jan/Feb 2026 Serious illness conversations (SICs) are often delayed or avoided in community-based healthcare due to clinician discomfort and lack of training. Given that many patients wish to die at home, yet often do not, there is a need for structured communication training in home care and hospice settings to ensure the care we provide aligns with patient and family preferences. ...  By embedding SIC training within a community-based organization, this work demonstrated how modest interventions can catalyze a change in practice, reinforcing the idea that SICs are a standard of quality care rather than an optional enhancement.

Lawsuit against Baxter Health by former Hospice board members dismissed KTLO - Mountain Lakes Broadcasting Corporation, Mountain Home, AR; by Staff; 1/6/26 The nearly 2 month legal dispute between now former members of the board of the Hospice of the Ozarks and Baxter Health, CEO Ron Peterson and newly appointed board members came to an end Monday with the dismissal of the lawsuit and resignations of the original 11 member board. ... The original suit was filed on November 21, 2025 and sought to restrain 14 newly appointed board members by Baxter Health from taking any actions on behalf of Hospice or from voting at any Hospice board meeting. The lawsuit alleged the action to appoint the new board members taken recently by the hospital was fraudulent and done to seize control and power from the then current 11 member Hospice board.

Senior living executive forecast 2026: ‘Step up or get stepped on’ Senior Housing News; by Austin Montgomery; 1/7/26 ... Today, senior living providers are focused on precision in operations, able to define value to customers, maintain attractive price points and manage rates that can strategically improve margin while not forcing out residents. ... Today, senior living providers are focused on precision in operations, able to define value to customers, maintain attractive price points and manage rates that can strategically improve margin while not forcing out residents.

How to build an AI-augmented workforce: The CIO's guide TechTarget; by Kinza Yasar; 1/5/26 As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes industries, forward-thinking CIOs are shifting their strategies from automation-first to augmentation-first. Their goal is to equip employees with AI tools that strengthen their judgment, spark creativity and boost productivity. In an AI-augmented workforce, humans and AI systems work collaboratively, not competitively. Rather than replacing employees, AI is used to enhance human capabilities, automate routine tasks and provide insights that help people make more informed decisions and focus on higher-value work. 

St. Croix Hospice expands care across five new locations Investors Hangout; by Addison Perry; updated 1/6/26 St. Croix Hospice has taken a significant step forward in enhancing their hospice care services by opening five new branches. These locations are vital in expanding patient access to high-quality end-of-life care in different regions. ... The newly opened locations are: