Literature Review

Underused palliative care could aid stroke survivorsJAMA; Samantha Anderer; 1/25Every year in the US, 800,000 people experience strokes, and although most survive, current treatment plans fail to adequately address their physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual distress, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Palliative care could aid in the quality of life for both patients and their families by helping during all stages of poststroke care, including adapting to functional changes, navigating complex health care systems, and preparing for death when necessary. Although all affected individuals could benefit from palliative care, the statement noted that it is most underused in Black and Hispanic populations, which tend to have a higher incidence of stroke, worse functional outcomes, and a lower likelihood of receiving acute stroke treatments.

Hodges remembered as hospice founder The News-Gazette, Lexington, VA; by Scotty Dransfield; 2/12/25Helen Hodges, the last living founder of what is now Connections Plus Hospice + Healthcare, died on Feb. 1, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and dedication, and a lasting impact on health care in Rockbridge County. Her work helped shape end-of-life care in the area, ensuring that those facing their final days could do so with dignity and comfort. Hodges was one of the four women ... who set out in the late 1970s to bring hospice care to the community. They were a grassroots team with no paid staff and no established structure — just a vision of providing comfort and support for terminally ill patients and their families. By 1983, their efforts had formalized into an official organization, and in 1984, Rockbridge Area Hospice was officially chartered. ... A stone plaque in the hospice gardens now bears her name, a quiet but permanent reminder of the foundation she built. ...

Executive Personnel Changes - 2/14/25

In the flush of love’s light, we dare be brave. And suddenly we see that love costs all we are, and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free. ~ Maya AngelouHonoring Black History Month 2025

Hospice advocates push bill for a third time despite two Hochul vetoes Spectrum News 1, New York State; by susan Arbetter; 2/12/25 Last spring, Capital Tonight sounded an alarm about for-profit hospice care. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had just issued public warnings about for-profit hospice fraud in four states; it was alerting consumers to a scam in which patients were being enrolled without their knowledge by recruiters who were “selling” hospice to people who weren’t eligible. Hospice fraud like this has also been extensively reported by The New Yorker and Pro Publica. After Gov. Kathy Hochul twice vetoed a bill preventing the expansion of for-profit hospice in New York, a new bill (S.3437/ A. 565) is being introduced by the chair of the state Senate Finance Committee, Liz Krueger, and chair of the state Assembly Health Committee, Amy Paulin. “If a family is faced with a loved one that is dying, they should not also be faced with the possible incentive of money,” Assembly member Paulin told Capital Tonight. There are a variety of drawbacks to for-profit care, and there is clear data that shows profit motives drive for-profit hospice to neglect patient care and prioritize volume over quality.

How to help caregivers of patients with dementia Physician's Weekly; by Linda Girgis, MD, FAAP; 2/13/25 Dr. Linda Girgis discusses how physicians can assist caregivers of patients with dementia, helping these critical caretakers avoid experiencing burnout. ... As doctors, we all have witnessed caregiver burnout. Often, it was a family member who bore the brunt of the responsibility, one for whom there were no vacation days or sick time available. Whatever specialty we practice, we know patients with dementia can present a significant problem. ... How can we assist caregivers of patients with dementia?

Our Hospice Jennings County Gala nets $65K Bridge - WKJD, North Vernon, IN; by LND Staff; 2/12/25 The 27th Annual Our Hospice Jennings Gala, held last Saturday in the Barn at Willow Crossing, raised over $65,000 to support compassionate hospice care services for Jennings County residents. The evening’s success marks a significant milestone for Our Hospice to provide the highest quality compassionate, end-of-life care to community members regardless of their ability to pay. Over 200 community members, healthcare professionals, and business leaders attended this year’s event. “The overwhelming generosity displayed at this year’s gala reflects our community’s deep commitment to ensuring that every family in Jennings County has access to dignified hospice care when they need it most,” said Steph Cain, President of Our Hospice.

Father of 3 stages 'Grief Photo Shoot' to remember wife who died of cancer (exclusive): CJ Infantino and his late wife Ariana were high school sweethearts People; by Jordan Greene; 2/13/25 There are many moments forever etched in CJ Infantino’s memory, but one stands out above the rest. It was Sept. 5, 2020, when CJ and his wife, Ariana, sat their three kids down at the kitchen table in their California home and told them that Ariana, 35, was going to die. ... Ariana was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2015 — coincidentally, on CJ’s 30th birthday. "We spent the next five-and-a-half years trying to live as much life as we could. We wanted to pack 30 years into 10," CJ says. ... After her last breath, he recalls that everyone "just went silent." ... Right away, the father of three felt isolated, as if no one could relate to his experience. He found that the things people said were often unhelpful and, at times, unintentionally harmful.  ... "I really just wanted to show my kids that, even though she’s not physically here, it’s okay to talk about her. We’re still allowed to laugh, even when we’re in so much pain," he says. "I remember the first moment I laughed or felt a hint of joy, and I thought, 'Are we allowed to do this?' " ... [Click on the title's link for the inspirational story and family photos before and after Ariana's death.] 

Teleios announces completion of Boomer End-of-Life Care Survey Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN), Hendersonville, NC; by Tina Gentry; 2/12/25 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN) announced the completion of its survey titled “What Baby Boomers Want in End-of-Life Care.” This survey aimed to gain insights into the healthcare preferences and needs of the Baby Boomer generation as they age, transition into retirement and seek end-of-life care. On February 5th, TCN’s Visioneering Council, which comprises member CEOs, C-Suite staff, and marketing managers, gathered to discuss the survey results and explore the best ways to utilize this information to enhance patient care. Before reviewing TCN’s survey findings, Matthew Wilkinson from NPHI and Bill Keane from Emergence presented results from NPHI’s “Aging and End of Life Care Survey.” Additionally, Dr. Terry Fulmer provided insights from the John A. Hartford Foundation’s survey titled “What Older Adults Want from Health Care.” TCN President and CEO Chris Comeaux said, “Over my career, we have been honored to care for the greatest generation. Now that we are at the dawn of the baby boomers being the majority of those we will be honored to care for as they enter their twilight years. Knowing what they expect, what they care about, what they do not want to worry about, all of this is such important data to ensure hospice over the next 30 years is providing an even greater service to patients and families. That’s what this study was looking to accomplish. It’s a great start in that direction.” 

BrightStar, Compassus, Empath harness clinical, data and product power Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 2/10/25 Clinical power, data power and product power offer three ways of examining some of the top priorities for home-based care companies in 2025. Compassus, BrightStar Care and Empath Health all have a range of initiatives and achievements that are relevant to these areas, which leaders with the three organizations delved into during a panel discussion at the recent Home Care 100 conference. ...

Rebuilding trust in medical science: How doctors and scientists can bridge the misinformation divide Association of American Medical Colleges  (AAMC); by Patrick Boyle; 2/11/25 Medical science has not fully recovered from the distrust that erupted among some segments of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Skepticism and misinformation about vaccines and other health matters are spreading. Can anyone help doctors and scientists build faith in medical expertise? Reed Tuckson, MD, is trying. Tuckson is cofounder and chair of the Coalition for Trust in Health & Science, a nonprofit that focuses on “ensuring that everyone is empowered to make informed and personally appropriate health decisions … based on accurate, understandable, and evidence-based information.” ...Tuckson recently spoke with AAMCNews about applying what has been learned over the past several years to responding to misinformation and distrust in medical science. ...

Mandated time off for bereavement gaining ground Altoona, PA; by Sarah Boden; 2/10/25 When his father died from COVID-19 in 2020, James Gerraughty didn’t have to choose between working and grieving. That’s because his employer provides three days of paid bereavement for the death of a parent. This gave Gerraughty enough time to drive from the Altoona area to Buffalo, New York, to collect his dad’s remains. ... Not everyone is so lucky. Pennsylvania doesn’t have a universal bereavement leave policy. Employers offer it at their discretion, meaning many workers can experience the death of a loved one but not get time off. Other states have filled this gap in labor law, to varying degrees. California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington all mandate some form of bereavement leave. ... It takes time to process a death. So not being able to take off work can threaten a person’s mental health and livelihood, said Nisha Bowman, a social worker in Pittsburgh for Monarch Hospice.[Click on the title's link to continue reading.] Editor's note: For national advocacy for bereavement care, examine Evermore.org.