Literature Review

Honey, Sweetie, Dearie: The perils of elderspeakKFF Health News, originally published by The New York Times; by Paula Span; 5/9/25 A prime example of elderspeak: Cindy Smith was visiting her father in his assisted living apartment in Roseville, California. An aide who was trying to induce him to do something —  Smith no longer remembers exactly what — said, “Let me help you, sweetheart.” “He just gave her The Look — under his bushy eyebrows — and said, ‘What, are we getting married?’” recalled Smith, who had a good laugh, she said. Her father was then 92, a retired county planner and a World War II veteran; macular degeneration had reduced the quality of his vision, and he used a walker to get around, but he remained cognitively sharp. People understand almost intuitively what “elderspeak” means. “It’s communication to older adults that sounds like baby talk,” said Clarissa Shaw, a dementia care researcher at the University of Iowa College of Nursing ... “It arises from an ageist assumption of frailty, incompetence, and dependence.” Its elements include inappropriate endearments. “Elderspeak can be controlling, kind of bossy, so to soften that message there’s ‘honey,’ ‘dearie,’ ‘sweetie,’” said Kristine Williams, a nurse gerontologist at the University of Kansas School of Nursing ...

Wisconsin Hospice and Palliative Care Council: Applauds state Assembly for approving bill establishing a State Palliative Care Council WisPolitics, Kimberly, WI; Press Release; 5/13/25 |Today, the State Assembly approved Assembly Bill 23, a bill that would establish a state Palliative Care Council.  The Wisconsin Hospice and Palliative Care Association (WiHPCA) strongly supports this legislation, which would ultimately help increase awareness and utilization of this specialized type of medical care throughout the state. The Assembly Committee on Health, Aging, and Long-Term Care voted 14-1 on March 13 to recommend approval of this legislation. This bill would establish a council of individuals with palliative care and other medical expertise to consult and advise the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) on this type of specialized medical care. In addition, this legislation would require DHS to create a statewide palliative care consumer and professional information and education program, as this type of specialized care is often misunderstood. 

[Australia] New study amplifies rural voices to improve palliative care at end-of-life NewsWise; by University of South Australia; 5/13/25  ... [A] new study from the University of South Australia is shining a light on the experiences of rural South Australians who are navigating end-of-life care, in the hope of improving access to palliative care services and supports in rural and country areas. ... “People living outside of major cities are notoriously under-supported and underserviced when it comes to health care – and palliative care is no different,” Associate Professor Gunn says. “More than seven million Australians, almost 30% of the population, live in rural communities, yet only 16% of the palliative care workforce live and work in these areas. “Research tells us that earlier referral to palliative care services gives patients and families more control, helping them maximise their quality and quantity of life. Yet patients living in country or rural areas have less opportunity to receive specialist palliative care, and this can negatively affect their wellbeing, and the wellbeing of their family members."Editor's note: Sound familiar? Click here for "Rural Hospice and Palliative Care - Resources," from the Rural Health Information Hub. 

Congress offers new plan for Medicaid cuts, raising fresh concerns among HCBS advocates McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 5/13/25 House Republicans on Sunday [5/11] introduced a new budget reconciliation that outlines exactly how Medicaid cuts could take shape. Home- and community-based services advocates quickly spoke out in opposition to the bill. [Various leaders responded.]

Downside risk, upside payment highlight new CMS innovation agendaModern Healthcare; by Bridget Early; 5/13/25The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is rolling out a broad new agenda for its innovation center that could lead to requirements that participants in value-based care programs to take on downside risk, the agency announced ... The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation plan prioritizes shared risk and prospective payments, streamlined quality measurement, artificial intelligence and other technologies, and Medicare Advantage payment models, Director Abe Sutton said in an interview Friday [5/9]. Notably, CMS is walking away from a goal set four years ago to have all fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries under accountable care arrangements by 2030, Sutton said. CMS provided Modern Healthcare an advance look at the new innovation center platform. ... Designing models that require providers to accept at least some downside risk could be the most consequential action stemming from the plan. Subjecting participants to potential financial losses, not just potential benefits, is key to driving cost savings and quality improvement, Sutton said.

[United Kingdom] Wife to walk across island for late husband BBC News; 5/11/25 The wife of a gardener who died of cancer is preparing to walk across the Isle of Wight in his memory. Debs Goodenough will be taking part in the Walk the Wight challenge in aid of the Mountbatten Hospice. She said it was an opportunity to honour her husband Simon, while also supporting the hospice which cared for her and her family. ... Mr. Goodenough was a gardener known for his work on Ventnor Botanical Gardens, but he also created a garden for the hospice. ... Mrs. Goodenough will be walking 26.5miles (42.6km) across the island with her sons Rory and Jake. ... The annual Walk the Wight challenge has been running for 35 years and supports the hospice by raising money for patients and the families it cares for. More than 6,500 people are expected to take part, and Mrs. Goodenough has spent the past three months training for the event. ... "The day Simon died, we had a little walk and it was two miles, and I promised Simon I would support the hospice, and my sons said 'If you want to Walk the Wight we'll do it with you'."

How DispatchHealth’s CEO plans to change the face of in-home careModern Healthcare; by Diane Eastabrook; 5/7/25DispatchHealth CEO Jennifer Webster said the company is eyeing new markets and care models after its acquisition of hospital-at-home provider Medically Home is complete. Denver-based DispatchHealth announced a definitive agreement in mid-March to acquire Boston-based Medically Home. Webster said the deal is still on track to close in a couple of months, but there is a lot of work to be done first. That includes integrating operations and technology, as well as senior leadership.

Building an ethical culture: Leadership’s role in corporate integrity The Wall Street Journal; by Lori Pressler, Michael Rossen and Miira Velia; 5/7/25 Built from the top down, a strong ethical culture can help mitigate risk by weaving ethics into decision-making at every level. Much of the time, a single moment or lapse in judgment does not precipitate a crisis. Instead, corporate scandals tend to spring from systemic failures in corporate culture, specifically around ethics. However, within many organizations, ethics are often discussed in theoretical terms—lofty yet nebulous aspirations or nice-to-haves. ... Given its potential for harm, organizations may not be giving ethical risk the attention it deserves, particularly from the top down. 

Time’s 100 most influential people in healthBecker's Hospital Review; Kellly Gooch; 5/8/25 Time released its second annual Time100 Health list May 8, highlighting the 100 most influential individuals in health.

Celebrating National Nurses Month with 62 years of nursing excellence: Meet Alma Flowers, hospice nurse Jacksonville News - JAXChamber, Jacksonville, FL; 4/30/25 This month, we are proud to spotlight Ms. Alma Flowers, a dedicated Registered Nurse at Community Hospice & Palliative Care, whose remarkable career spans an impressive 62 years. Alma's journey began at the Brewster Duval School of Nursing in Jacksonville in 1959, marking the start of a lifelong commitment to compassionate care and professional excellence. Alma's career has been a testament to the evolution of nursing, encompassing diverse roles from acute psychiatric units to the compassionate realm of hospice care. Throughout her journey, Alma has adapted to and contributed to advancements in healthcare practices and policies. ... As we celebrate National Nurses Month, we are reminded of nurses' profound impact on patient care, healthcare innovation, and community well-being. Alma Flowers' journey is a testament to the enduring spirit of nursing excellence at Community Hospice & Palliative Care.Editor's note: What a beautiful tribute to Alma, especially when describing her journey as a "testament to the evolution of nursing." Imagine changes ahead for today's student nurses: 62 years from now will be the year 2087. While we struggle to keep up with the current barrage of nursing workforce challenges, we can draw inspiration from Alma's life-long commitments, flexibility, and immeasurable contributions.

John Whyte, MD, MPH, selected as the AMA’s new CEO American Medical Association (AMA), Chicago, IL; by Staff News Writer; 5/9/25 The AMA Board of Trustees has chosen John Whyte, MD, MPH, a nationally renowned public health advocate, physician executive, corporate strategist and communication expert, as its next executive vice president and CEO. Dr. Whyte ushers in a new era of leadership for the 178-year-old institution amid strong membership growth and a renewed focus on solving challenges that affect physicians and patients. Dr. Whyte’s tenure will begin July 1. Dr. Whyte brings extensive corporate, governmental and clinical experience to his role leading the day-to-day operations of the AMA. A board-certified internal medicine physician for nearly 30 years, Dr. Whyte joins the AMA from WebMD, where he has served as chief medical officer (CMO) since 2018 and helped grow the media company’s strategic partnerships, influence and vision.

End-of-life care behind bars: A periodic literature search - May 2025Personal communication; 5/8/25Regular reviews of articles and reports on key issues in prison hospice and palliative care.

Decoding the 2026 Proposed Hospice RuleCHAPcast podcast;by Jennifer Kennedy, Kim Skehan; 5/6/25Join CHAP’s Jennifer Kennedy and Kim Skehan as they break down the fiscal year 2026 proposed hospice rule.