Literature Review

Research study participation, 8/23/25

Honoring the lives and legacies of hospice leaders - August 2025

New hospice house playground dedicated to A.B.A.T.E 18 motorcycle group The Hawk Eye - Iowa's Oldest Newspaper; by Tracey Lamm; 8/26/25 ABATE District 18 Motorcycle Club presented checks Friday to the Lee County and Home and Health Hospice House programs. An ongoing relationship between the motorcycle group and the hospice programs has resulted in an honor that will be a permanent part of the Home and Health Hospice House in West Burlington. ... [A] planned playground at the Hospice House will be dedicated to ABATE District 18 motorcycle organization. Jordan Price, Fort Madison, handles public relations for ABATE 18 and he said the motorcycle group has worked with the hospice programs for many years. ... "The proceeds are raised through motorcycle poker runs, donations, and lunches at Heartland Harley Davidson." The two hospice programs each received a check Friday night of $29,250, half for each of the total $58,500 that was raised during the annual Hospice Ride on July 20. Price said the amount far exceeded a goal to raise $40,000.

Social workers’ role in improving hospice live discharge processes Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 8/26/25 A lack of standardized care coordination is challenging the ability for patients and families to receive support following a live discharge from hospice. Deeper integration of social work services may help address the issue. This is according to findings from a recent study published in the Journal of Gerontological Social Work, which examined different methodologies for preparing patients, family caregivers and providers for hospice-initiated live discharges from social worker perspectives. 

Do dementia care management programs work? A podcast with David Reuben and Greg SachsGeriPal podcast; by Eric Widera, Alex Smith, David Reuben, Greg Sachs; 8/28/25With all the attention focused on Alzheimer’s biomarkers and amyloid antibodies, it’s easy to forget that comprehensive dementia care is more than blood draws and infusions. On today’s podcast, we buck this trend and dive into the complexities and challenges of comprehensive dementia care with the authors of two pivotal articles recently published in JAMA.

Artificial intelligence in geriatric health careHealth Affairs; by Esther S. Oh, Peter M. Abadir, Joseph Grogan, Ravi Gupta, Anne Ollen, Daniel Polsky, Peter Weems, Phillip Phan; 8/20/25Artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies are quickly integrating into the US health care system. Unlocking their full potential for older adults—the fastest-growing demographic in the country—and rural populations facing health access and support crises is essential. On May 1, 2025, the Johns Hopkins Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratory (represented by coauthors Oh, Abadir, and Phan) and the National Institute on Aging hosted a summit on the future of geriatric medicine and AI, focusing on the challenges and effects of implementing AI-based technologies. We identified policy gaps and opportunities to support the fair and efficient use of AI technologies for older adults [including:]

[United Kingdom] 'The word hospice can be terrifying - but this is why it's giving us extra life' Verve Times, story from Wetherby, UK; by Craig Fedirighi; 8/27/25 The word “hospice” often conjures up images of people living out their final days in a room surrounded by nurses. But one mother says the hospice she goes to with her family has given them a life they could never have imagined would be possible. ... The 32-year-old said: “It’s one of those things where obviously the word hospice, everyone finds it scary. One thinks it’s the worst-case scenario, but it’s not. It’s giving you that extra life that you didn’t know you could have. ..."

Indianapolis hospice patient’s final wish to drive around the track at IMSWISHTV.com 8 [Indianapolis, IN]; by Kyla Russell; 8/25/25An Indianapolis hospice patient has one final wish: to take a few laps around the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway inside an IndyCar or NASCAR stock car. His caretakers are trying to turn his dream into a reality. 64-year-old Douglas Smith is living with both prostate and lung cancer. But, he’s determined to make his final days full of memories... These days, Smith is mostly driving his decked out blue scooter outside the cozy Morning Light Home, a free-of-charge residence for individuals on hospice and of limited means... Morning Light is a free home for the terminally ill in Indiana. The team serves everyone, including the unhoused or low-income. It’s the second largest home of its kind in the nation.

How health systems are saving money with centralized pharmaciesModern Healthcare; by Caroline Hudson; 8/27/25Health systems are centralizing pharmacy operations to cut costs. Many systems are bringing drug inventory, fulfillment and distribution under one roof. Centralization can help systems navigate a rapidly changing pharmaceutical industry.

How older people are reaping brain benefits from new tech: New research “flips the script that technology is always bad.”Katie Couric Media; by Paula Span, KFF Health News; 8/24/25... Now [Wanda Woods] is an instructor with Senior Planet in Denver, an AARP-supported effort to help older people learn and stay abreast of technology. Woods has no plans to retire. Staying involved with tech “keeps me in the know, too,” she said. Some neuroscientists researching the effects of technology on older adults are inclined to agree. The first cohort of seniors to have contended — not always enthusiastically — with a digital society has reached the age when cognitive impairment becomes more common. Among the digital pioneer generation, use of everyday digital technology has been associated with reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.

Hospice provider’s coast-to-coast expansion receives green light from California AGMcKnight's Home Care; by Adam Healy; 8/26/25Chapters Health System, a Florida-based hospice and palliative care organization, received conditional approval for its expansion into California via affiliation agreements with Hospice East Bay and Hospice of Santa Cruz County. To finalize the two affiliations, Chapters agreed to: ensure that Hospice East Bay and Hospice of Santa Cruz County maintain certification with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; honor employment agreements with existing staff members; establish quality advisory committees for both East Bay and Hospice of Santa Cruz County; make a reasonable effort to continue providing specialized care services that are currently offered by both newly affiliated providers; and provide annual reports on its compliance with these conditions, according to the California Office of the Attorney General.

Over $37,000 raised at Hospice's Swim a Mile eventNorth Country Now [St. Lawrence County, NY]; 8/25/25On Saturday, August 2, Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley held its 15th annual Swim a Mile fundraiser and the community showed up in a big way. More than 40 swimmers jumped in the water to help raise $37,864.98, exceeding the fundraising goal.