Literature Review

Beloved celebrities who opened up about their battles with dementia MSN; by Travis Reeed; 8/31/26 Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease have affected people from many walks of life, including some of the most recognizable figures in entertainment, politics, and culture. Their experiences helped bring greater attention to memory loss, cognitive decline, and the challenges faced by families and caregivers. From Hollywood legends to celebrated musicians and political leaders, these individuals continued to leave lasting legacies despite their health struggles. Their stories also helped encourage public conversations about conditions that were once poorly understood or rarely discussed openly. [Click on the slides to see personalized stories of Tony Bennett, Sally Kirkland, Ronald Reagan, Sean Connery, Margaret Thatcher, Rita Hayworth, and Jimmy Stewart.] 

Record-breaking Lube-a-Thon for Hospice GreatNews.Life; by Center for Hospice Care; 8/31/26 On July 31, Tom’s Car Care Center hosted the 21st Lube-a-Thon for Hospice. At this one-day event, customers get an oil change – full- or semi-synthetic oil, it doesn’t matter – and a car wash for a minimum donation of $50 to Center for Hospice Care. This year’s event broke the “modern-day” record for the number of cars serviced and the amount of money raised to support our promise that no one eligible for hospice care will ever be turned away, regardless of their ability to pay. The team at Tom’s changed the oil in 177 vehicles that day. The doors on the two bays opened just before 7am and there were cars in each of them until just before 6pm. In fact, cars started to line up at 6am – a full hour before the event began. Including donations and sponsorships, the event raised over $12,500, with all proceeds benefiting Center for Hospice Care.

A year from now, you may wish you had started today. ~ Karen LambHappy September from Hospice & Palliative Care Today!

AHA comments on CY 2027 Home Health proposed payment rule American Hospital Association; Press Release; 8/28/26 On behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other healthcare organizations, including approximately 1,000 hospital-based home health (HH) agencies, our clinician partners — more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers — and the 43,000 healthcare leaders who belong to our professional membership groups, ... The AHA has two significant concerns. First, CMS’ proposed payment update of 2.4% is inadequate. ... Second, the proposed rule includes substantial changes to Medicare provider enrollment authorities that would apply not only to HH agencies but also to all providers and suppliers enrolled in Medicare. 

Hospice site featured in Ted Lasso's new season BBC News, England; by Nathan Briant; 8/31/26 A Berkshire hospice took center stage in hit show Ted Lasso after an unused wing was transformed into a film set. Thames Hospice's Otter Wing in Maidenhead was used by the cast and crew of the Emmy-winning program, which follows the fortunes of the fictional AFC Richmond, when filming took place last September. Chief executive Rachael de Caux said hiring out the space is an important revenue stream for the hospice, which needs £44,000 a day to provide its services.

Students get inside look at healthcare through PCIPs Pomona College, Claremont, CA; Press Release; 8/27/26 Pomona College students already know they want to be physicians. Others are undecided, but are considering a future in healthcare research, counseling, public policy or biotech. ... All of them want to change lives with their work. ... PCIP provides Pomona students with generous stipends for multiweek unpaid or low-paid internships that offer experiential learning and professional insights—career-building opportunities that might not be possible without funding support. Here are four students whose internships broadened their understanding of healthcare and provided hands-on career experience in cardiology, hospice care and mental health private practice.

[France] 'You cannot have a good assisted dying law without good palliative care’ GuardianTV; Press Release; 8/30/26 François Picard is pleased to welcome Anne Reynaud, Board Member of the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity. France’s long awaited assisted dying legislation marks a profound shift in the country’s approach to end of life care, but as Reynaud makes clear, the parliamentary vote is less the end of a debate than the beginning of a new ethical and legal era. Speaking from both personal experience and her professional role, Reynaud argues that the law represents meaningful progress while remaining more restrictive than the recommendations of France’s Citizens’ Convention. 

Week ahead in health care: MedPAC meeting with in-person audience Inside Health Policy; by Jessica Karins and Amy Lotven; 8/28/26 The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) will meet Thursday (Sept. 3) and Friday (Sept. 4) virtually and, for the second time since the COVID-19 pandemic, with limited in-person public seating.

I lost my sister to cancer. Here’s what I learned about medically assisted death. The Washington Post; by Steven Petrow; 8/29/26 The same year that my parents died, my sister, Julie, then 55, was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. Five years and three recurrences later, she’d exhausted all viable treatment options. At that point, she’d undergone one nine-hour surgery, six courses of chemotherapy and had joined two clinical trials. Like my parents’ physicians had done, Julie’s doctor eventually recommended palliative care, with at-home hospice, to keep her comfortable during her last months. ... [Julie, 61, chose legal MAID in 2023.] Approaching MAID as a journalist, I had questions: How is eligibility determined, what are the safeguards, does it always work, is a health care professional involved and many others. As a brother, however, I was conflicted and confused, and my questions felt more urgent and personal. ... [Access might be limited by a paywall.]  

Dr. Ricardo Schwarcz launches healthcare sciences scholarship to support future medical leaders Newsnet Los Angeles, Harlingen, TX; by Dr. Ricardo Schwarcz Scholarship; 8/28/26 The Dr. Ricardo Schwarcz Scholarship for Healthcare Sciences officially opens its application process, offering vital financial support to dedicated undergraduate students across the United States. Designed to foster the next generation of medical and allied health professionals, this scholarship initiative encourages aspiring clinical leaders to pursue their academic and professional ambitions in healthcare. Founded by Dr. Ricardo Schwarcz, a highly accomplished physician board-certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care Medicine, Neurocritical Care, Sleep Medicine, and Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine, the program seeks to inspire students who display an enduring passion for patient-centered care.

Top challenges for hospice nurses Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/28/26 Hospice nurses are wrestling with work-life balance, heavy caseloads and other difficulties amid widespread staffing shortages. The dearth of prospective hospice employees is well known and has existed for years. In addition to impacting provider businesses, this trend also affects nurses on the ground. This often comes in the form of a bigger workload, more travel time and the emotional toll of working with the dying, according to Skelly Wingard, CEO of By the Bay Health.

Sisters have doubts about cremated remains: ‘Where is my mama?’ ChicagoPublicMedia, Chicago, IL; by Cindy Hernandez; 8/28/26 Franquella and Marshawna Campbell hired Planet Green Cremations after their mother died earlier this year, only to later discover that the business was owned by Clark and Johanna Morgan, who are under investigation for improperly storing human remains. ... When sisters Franquella and Marshawna Campbell learned that the man who had picked up their mother’s body from hospice had been accused of mishandling human remains, they turned to the urn sitting on the table in their mother’s living room. They opened it and began to question everything. “Where is my mama?” Franquella Campbell, 40, asked over and over. 

Community raises $520,000 for Sharp HospiceCare at annual regatta The Coronado Times; by Coronado Times Staff; 8/27/26 More than 1,500 guests gathered on San Diego Bay this past weekend for the 23rd Annual Sharp HospiceCare Benefit Dinner and Regatta, raising $520,000 to support compassionate end-of-life care for patients and families through Sharp HospiceCare’s residential hospice homes and programs throughout San Diego County. Hosted in partnership with Coronado Yacht Club and Cortez Racing Association, Sharp HospiceCare’s largest annual fundraiser began Friday evening with a benefit dinner aboard the USS Midway and continued Saturday with the annual regatta. Colorful sailboats filled the bay Saturday as 52 boats competed in the race and more than 40 yacht owners donated their vessels to host viewing parties for guests.