Literature Review

Improving access to inpatient hospice: Implementation and impact of a dedicated comfort care service in a tertiary care hospitalJournal of Palliative Medicine; by Neha Kayastha, Eric Pollak, Yvonne Acker, David Fisher, Noppon Setji, David Casarett; 10/25Many hospitalized patients on comfort care (CC) have a high symptom burden and qualify for General Inpatient Hospice (GIP) care. At our institution, many hospitalized patients who qualified for GIP were unable to discharge to stand-alone hospice facilities due to clinical instability or lack of beds. In July 2022, we created the General Medicine 24 (GM24) Comfort Care and Hospice Team to improve access to high-quality hospice services for hospitalized CC patients. In the three years since the creation of GM24, GIP admissions have increased annually, now 107% higher compared to the year before GM24 was created. Discharges to stand-alone inpatient hospice facilities have increased by 65% in the three years since GM24 was created compared to the year before GM24 was created.

[Italy] Can cannabinoids alleviate behavioral symptoms in older adults with dementia? A systematic reviewJournal of Psychopharmacology; by Adele Ravelli, Chiara Ceolin, Mario Virgilio, Margherita Vergadoro, Maria Devita, Marina De Rui, Paolo Simioni, Giuseppe Sergi, Alessandra Coin; 10/25Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) affect patients’ and caregivers’ well-being. Cannabinoids may offer a promising therapeutic option for managing BPSD. Ten studies ... showed cannabinoids helped reduce agitation and nocturnal disturbances. In conclusion, cannabinoids show promise in managing BPSD in dementia, with good tolerability and safety. 

4 leadership habits that make people instantly respect and trust you: Veteran PR executive Robert Dilenschneider shares why respect is a leader’s most underrated power—and how to earn it every day. Inc.; by Marcel Schwantes; 10/30/25 Early in your career, you probably believed leadership was about control. You spoke first in meetings, made quick decisions, and expected others to follow without hesitation. You projected confidence, thinking that would earn respect. But if you looked closer, something didn’t feel right. Your team did what you asked—but only what you asked. People stayed quiet when they disagreed. Meetings felt efficient but uninspired. You were getting compliance, not commitment. Throughout his career as a leader Robert Dilenschneider, author of Respect: How to Change the World One Interaction at a Time, has learned numerous lessons. But one has stood out above the rest: fear might deliver results, but respect sustains them. 

‘Best and worst of times’ as skilled nursing providers face more uncertainty McKnights Long-Term Care News, Boston, MA; by Kimberly Marselas; 11/3/25 In a year in which uncertainty and inaction have been common themes, LeadingAge executives acknowledged ... that aging services providers are increasingly split into haves and have-nots.  “We have all been navigating a great deal of uncertainty, and yet many organizations have had their best years, ... President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan told a standing room-only crowd. “Others are hanging by a thread, dependent on Medicaid, struggling on staffing, particularly in rural communities with old physical plants, and boards that are stuck on preserving the status quo. It is truly the best and worst of times.”

Nurse swapped hospice patient’s medicine with household cleaner in MA, feds say The Herald; by Julia Marnin; 11/4/25 A registered nurse caring for a non-verbal hospice patient in Massachusetts was caught replacing the patient’s liquid pain medication with household cleaner, according to federal prosecutors. Now, a federal indictment charges the nurse, Lori Robertson, of Salem, New Hampshire, with one count of tampering with a consumer product. Federal authorities arrested Robertson, who worked at a long-term care and rehabilitation center in Amesbury, Massachusetts, on Oct. 31, according to court records. She pleaded not guilty at an arraignment that day.

If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip. ~ Unknown

UW Health: Initiative enhances hospice and palliative care programs WisBusiness, Madison, WI; Press Release; 11/4/25 A new UW Health initiative improves the hospital’s hospice care process to ensure patients receive the best, most coordinated care possible throughout their end-of-life journeys. The initiative provides inpatient and emergency department hospice enrollment at University Hospital, ensuring that patients nearing the end of life receive timely, compassionate support and more coordinated care between the health system and the hospice agency. This program, created in partnership with regional hospice organizations and hospital staff, aims to improve continuity of care for patients already getting care in the UW Health system, according to Dr. Jeff Pothof, chief quality officer and emergency medicine physician, UW Health. 

The future of hospice care: Opportunities and challenges – top news stories October 2025 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 11/5/25 In this episode of TCN Talks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner discuss the top news stories of October, focusing on AI in healthcare, innovations in hospice care, and the impact of personal experiences on healthcare practices. They explore the ethical implications of AI surrogates in life-or-death decisions, the importance of equitable access to hospice care, and the role of technology in improving care delivery. The conversation also highlights the significance of personal stories in shaping healthcare perspectives and the ongoing challenges in the hospice industry.

The Valerie Fund pledges $3.5 million to establish new pediatric pain and palliative care program at Hackensack Meridian Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital News Wise, Hackensack, NJ; by Hackensack Meridian Health; 11/3/25 Hackensack Meridian Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital today announced a transformative, 5-year, $3.5 million commitment from The Valerie Fund to significantly expand its Pediatric Pain and Palliative Care Program. The landmark donation will establish The Valerie Fund Pediatric Pain and Palliative Care Program at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, located at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ, ... This new partnership will allow the hospital to care for more people annually, growing from approximately 1,750 to 3,500 patient visits. 

Hospice House welcomes 500th patient, expands mission Nola.com, New Orleans, LA; by Lisa Von Eberstein; 11/2/25 When the 500th patient entered the Hospice House near Slidell last month, the milestone marked more than a number. ...  “We call them bittersweet benchmarks,” said Miranda Lindsay, executive director of the Hospice Foundation of the South and Hospice House. “It’s amazing for us in 11 years to have helped 500 families in our community, but at the same time, it’s 500 people who have passed.” Hospice House is a 3,600-square-foot home featuring three private suites, with screened-in porches in a homelike setting, for terminally ill patients to spend their final days.

TRUE Palliative Care launches as California strengthens commitment to compassionate care under SB 403 Pal Item, San Diego, CA; by TRUE Palliative Care; 10/28/25 Following California’s landmark decision to make the End of Life Option Act permanent under Senate Bill 403, a new chapter of compassionate healthcare has begun. Today, palliative care pioneer Dr. Bob Uslander announced the official launch of TRUE Palliative Care (TPC), an evolution of in-home, whole-person care designed to support patients and families living with serious or chronic illness, long before hospice begins.

Lehigh Valley Health Network to drop UnitedHealthcare over reimbursement Becker's Payer Issues; by Andrew Cass; 10/29/25 Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Health Network said it is planning to terminate its contract with UnitedHealthcare unless the payer works with the health system to remedy reimbursement issues. Without a resolution, LVHN will go out of network with UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans on Jan. 25, 2026 and commercial plans on April 25, 2026, according to an Oct. 27 news release from the health system. 

Don’t kick your bucket list, UT Arlington study says Texas Standard; by Laura Rice and Kaye Knoll; 11/3/25 You’re likely familiar with the concept of a bucket list: a list of things you want to do before you die, or “kick the bucket.” It’s a reminder to make every day count, and make your dreams come true. When it comes to those final days, though, it turns out that dreams can make dying a little less of a downer. According to a new study from the University of Texas at Arlington, making and fulfilling a bucket list as part of end-of-life care can help reduce anxiety and depression, provide hope to struggling patients and give families a chance to bond one last time.