Literature Review

350 health groups urge Congress to extend Medicare telehealth MedCityNews; by Marissa Plescia; 8/14/25 A group of 350 organizations, including the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, are urging Congress to make Medicare telehealth flexibilities introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic permanent, or at least extend them for two years. In a letter to congressional leaders, the organizations emphasize the importance of telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those with chronic conditions or in rural areas, and highlight the potential impact on health care access and infrastructure. Guest Editor’s Note, Judi Lund Person: Unless there is Congressional action after the August recess to extend the hospice face-to-face requirement through telehealth, that option will conclude on September 30, 2025.

Maybe some people just aren't meant to be in our lives forever. Maybe some people are just passing through. It's like some people just come through our lives to bring us something: a gift, a blessing, a lesson we need to learn. And that's why they're here. You'll have that gift forever. ~Danielle Steel

Exploring virtual reality as an intervention to improve symptom severity in hospice-eligible patientsAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care; by Hannah Maciejewski, Kathryn Levy, Catherine M Mann, Suzanne S Sullivan, Gina Schuster, Christopher W Kerr; 7/25Virtual reality (VR) as an intervention has appeared in the literature and in clinical settings across many different populations. To expand the use of this care option, it is worth considering the ways in which a VR application may benefit individuals with life-limiting illness in hospice and palliative care settings. The incorporation of VR as a therapy option may aid in symptom management and support people nearing the end of life in focusing on aspects of their overall well-being.

Trends in hospice and palliative care consults initiated in the emergency department: An eight-year utilization analysisThe American Journal of Emergency Medicine; by Satheesh Gunaga, Abe Al-Hage, Alyssa Buchheister, Harish Neelam, Jessica Corcoran, Michael Welchans, Kirby Swan, Mahmoud Awada, Joseph Miller, Fabrice Mowbray; 8/25Emergency departments (EDs) play a central role in end-of-life care, yet the early integration of hospice and palliative care (HPC) is often underutilized. A total of 8,055 HPC consults were ordered for 6,370 unique patients. The average age was 78.1 years, with 56.4 % female and 75.0 % White. Of the cohort, 91.7 % were admitted, 5.3 % discharged home, and 53.2 % died in-hospital. HPC consults increased from 369 in 2016 to 1,355 in 2023 (367 % increase ... ). The ratio of hospice to palliative care consults reversed from 1.5:1 in 2016 to 1:1.9 in 2023.

The Faith Care Family Project: A pilot intervention for African American dementia family caregiversAmerican Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias; Noelle L Fields, Ling Xu, Ishan C Williams, Fayron Epps, Samantha Tinker; 8/25The Faith Care Family (FCF) Project was a telephone based, volunteer-led intervention for African American Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) family caregivers that was piloted in one predominantly African American church. Church volunteers indicated overall significant improvements knowledge of AD/ADRD after the training as well as after the intervention. Quantitative results indicated that caregivers increased their knowledge of dementia, reported improved coping skills, and reported increased positive aspects of caregiving. Feeling a connection, normalizing the challenges of caregiving, gaining or reinforcing knowledge, and sharing community resources were themes from qualitative interviews with the family caregivers.

[Iceland] Medication causes and treatment of delirium in patients with and without dementiaBrain and Behavior; by Anita Elaine Weidmann, Rut Matthíasdóttir, Guðný Björk Proppé, Ivana Tadić, Pétur Sigurdur Gunnarsson, Freyja Jónsdóttir; 7/25This summary offers the most detailed summary of medication-related information for delirium in patients with and without dementia to support prescribing decisions. While the detailed results can be used to support a multicomponent approach to delirium care, they also support the call for categorizing delirium into distinct etiological subgroups. The effect of medication on gut microbiome diversity and composition should be considered.

[Canada] Palliative care access and use among homeless individuals: A scoping reviewBMC Palliative Care; by Ashley Rodericks-Schulwach, Ravi Gokani, Lynn Martin; 7/25Homeless individuals experience unique needs and challenges when PC. Many of the challenges experienced are related to the stigma of homelessness– it negatively impacts the relationship people have with PC professionals as well as creates barriers to access. Implementation of integrated and intersectoral PC programs that employ harm reduction approaches is needed to ensure that people experiencing homelessness receive PC that promotes dignity and comfort. Specialized staff training to work with this population is also needed to improve quality of PC care provided. Future research that employs an intersectional lens to better understand the needs of sub-groups within the homeless population is needed, as is use of consistent terminology related to PC services to ensure both understanding and generalizability of findings. 

"It may cost you your money, it costs you your life": A framework for financial hardship in dementiaGerontologist; by Krista L Harrison, Emily R Adrion, Juliana Friend, Sarah B Garrett, Madina Halim, Michael Terranova, Alissa B Sideman, Nicole D Boyd, Georges Naasan, Joni Gilissen, Pei Chen, Melissa D Aldridge, Daniel Dohan, Michael D Geschwind, Alexander K Smith, Christine S Ritchie; 7/25Care for persons with dementia costs ∼ $500 billion annually in the United States. Few qualitative studies or conceptual frameworks of the financial experiences of people impacted by dementia exist. This study examined how patients and caregivers impacted by different types of dementia and at different points in the disease journey described financial issues within a palliative care context... Even in a well-resourced population, the financial toll of dementia can be substantial. The Direct-Emotional-Logistical framework of dementia financial hardship can be used to assess financial impacts in palliative care settings.

Social Media Watch 8/22/25

How can AI help hospice?Hospice & Palliative Care Today staff; 8/21/25

Make training more effective with microlearning and AI Training Industry; by David Resendes; 8/20/25 When people think of microlearning, it’s often viewed as a tool for reinforcement of longer form training, something used after the main event to help employees retain what they’ve learned. And while microlearning is incredibly effective in that role, it’s time to expand that view. ... More organizations are using microlearning as the primary delivery mechanism for critical learning content. When designed intentionally, it’s one of the most engaging, effective ways to introduce concepts, drive early understanding and encourage immediate application.

NorthStar Care Community announces partnership with Beads of Courage Fox 17 - West Michigan;by Nicole Stoner; 8/19/25 Beads Of Courage is an organization that helps pediatric patients document their health journey through beads of different sizes, shapes, and colors. ... NorthStar Care Community, already established for their compassion in pallative and hospice care, has announced a partnership with Beads Of Courage. This time, the partnership honors patients entering hospice care through their own treatment stages, milestones, and moments of courage. ... In addition, the Carry A Bead Initiative invites the public to support these patients on their journey during end-of-life care by carrying a NorthStar Bead with them, then returning it with a message of encouragement. The bead is then gifted to someone in hospice care, ensuring that these patients are not alone in their health journey.