Literature Review
All posts tagged with “General News | Changing the Culture of Dying.”
Finding Solutions: Local group makes flowers for everyone
05/23/25 at 03:00 AMFinding Solutions: Local group makes flowers for everyone WRDW-12 & WAGT-26, Augusta, GA; by Zayna Haliburton; 5/21/25 Flowers are something that can put a smile on someone’s face, whether you’re receiving or giving them. For one local group, they’re making bouquets to bring to nursing homes, shelters and hospitals. They’re now finding solutions in asking the community to consider donating their leftover flowers from weddings and events in order to brighten someone else’s day. “These are going to go to hospice patients that a part of Enhabit Augusta, ..." said Patricia Proctor, co-owner of El Rey and founder of non-profit Corazón Bonito ... which translates to "beautiful heart" in English.
You might live to be 100. Are you ready?
05/21/25 at 03:00 AMYou might live to be 100. Are you ready? The Guardian; by Andrew J. Scott; 5/15/25 Ethel Caterham, at the age of 115 years, is said to be the oldest person alive. She offers the sage life advice to “say yes to every opportunity because you never know what it will lead to. Have a positive mental attitude and have everything in moderation.” When she was born in 1909, the average life expectancy of a British female was 52 years – becoming a centenarian was a remote prospect. ... Today, according to the United Nations, centenarians are the fastest growing age group. By 1950, there were an estimated 14,000 whilst today there are nearly 750,000, projected to reach nearly 4 million by 2054. ... Today, there is too large a gap between average lifespan and healthspan. The number of years we are likely to live has increased more than the number of years we are likely to remain healthy. Reducing this gap is critical for seizing the advantages of longer lives.
[Australia] Overtreatment of older people near end of life: A qualitative scoping review of modalities, drivers, and solutions
05/17/25 at 03:00 AM[Australia] Overtreatment of older people near end of life: A qualitative scoping review of modalities, drivers, and solutionsOmega-Journal of Death and Dying; Samantha Fien, Emily Plunkett, Daniel Wadsworth, Magnolia Cardona; 4/24This study aimed to understand the drivers better to help minimise further risks of overtreatment for older people near the end of life (dysthanasia). Determinants included healthcare system factors, patient-centered care, family and caregiver, and clinician perspectives. This review confirms that despite almost two decades of recognition of the potential harms of overtreatment near the end of life, society, patients, and health systems have a role to play in reducing and addressing the determinants. We offer a range of solutions for clinicians, health service managers, and members of the public to consider.
Finding her strength in silence: CSU Pueblo student graduates twice, carrying her mother’s dream
05/16/25 at 03:00 AMFinding her strength in silence: CSU Pueblo student graduates twice, carring her mother's dream Colorado State University Pueblo, Pueblo, CO; by Soni Brinsko; 5/14/25 The porch was still new when the professors arrived that late November evening. Hand-laid tiles, each one carefully placed by a father during what should have been vacation time. He’d built it for his wife so she could sit outside, feel the Colorado breeze one more time. That night, the porch became something else entirely. It became a stage for a graduation ceremony that wasn’t supposed to happen until May. Alondra Solis Ayala is about to walk across the commencement stage at Colorado State University Pueblo this week. It will be her second graduation. The first one happened in her family’s living room, with her dying mother watching from a chair, too weak to stand but strong enough to declare “esa es mi hija”—that’s my daughter—as faculty members in full regalia handed over a diploma cover and stole in what became an impromptu, deeply personal ceremony.
Newly Available: Improving Dying
05/12/25 at 03:00 AMNewly Available: Improving Dying Hospice Foundation of America, Washington, DC; Press Release, contact Lisa Veglahn; 5/7/25 Virtual reality, physical therapy, music therapy, pet care, and even a haircut are therapeutic, innovative, and practical ways to improve the quality of life for people with terminal illness and are profiled in a new book and continuing education course recently released by Hospice Foundation of America (HFA). “End-of-life care providers are doing amazing work that rarely gets the attention it deserves,” said Amy Tucci, HFA’s president and CEO. “With Improving Dying, HFA’s goal is to recognize their efforts and provide models that can be replicated to enhance care for dying and the bereaved.”
It's time to talk about LGBTQ+ elder care
05/12/25 at 02:15 AMIt's time to talk about LGBTQ+ elder care Psychology Today - Caregiving; by Stephanie Sarazin, M.P.P.; 5/6/25 A once-hidden story is helping us think about queer kinship and caregiving. Key points:
Dying ‘Beautifully’ in the Rio Grande Valley: Rivera-Burciaga embeds end-of-life nursing into UTRGV curriculum: National Nurses Week is May 6-12
05/12/25 at 02:00 AMDying ‘Beautifully’ in the Rio Grande Valley: Rivera-Burciaga embeds end-of-life nursing into UTRGV curriculum: National Nurses Week is May 6-12 UTRGV, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - The Newsroom, Rio Grande Valley, TX; by Karen Villarreal; 5/9/25 Death, for the most part, makes people uncomfortable. But not UTRGV’s Dr. Andrya Rivera-Burciaga. After a personal loss early in her nursing career drove her to seek advanced certification in hospice and palliative care, she has made it her life’s work to normalize conversations about death and dying. ... While Rivera-Burciaga’s efforts successfully have woven palliative care into the UTRGV nursing curriculum, her Ph.D. research on the unique cultural perspective of death and dying among Mexican Americans aims to further tailor the care that nurses provide to end-of-life patients in South Texas. ... Through clinical interviews, Rivera-Burciaga found that many individuals of the Mexican American culture are afraid to die – despite engaging in Día de los Muertos, a celebration of death every November. “We've built a compassionate community for the dying, yet we don't say it by name. Many Mexican Americans in the United States believe that to talk about death invites it. Or, that we don't have time to be depressed, or that even in mourning men don't cry,” she said.
'I've already had my miracle': 26-year-old Savannah mom enters hospice care with only weeks to live
05/09/25 at 02:10 AM'I've already had my miracle': 26-year-old Savannah mom enters hospice care with only weeks to live ABC WJCL 22 News, Savannah, GA; by Savannah Younger; 12/4/24, posted in our newsletter on As the holiday season begins, Sara Long, a 26-year-old Savannah woman, is entering hospice care after a prolonged battle with kidney failure. Now the wife and mother is preparing to say her final goodbyes to family and friends. "I wanted to make sure that everything's kind of ready to go for when family visits and all that kind of stuff," Long said. "So, I just want to make things as easy as possible for everybody." Long has been told she has two to three weeks left to live and is now preparing her family for her passing. ... Their daughter, Riley, 4, is too young to understand what is happening, but Long is creating a hope chest so Riley can always remember her. "There are probably dozens, if not hundreds, of letters at this point, to open at different various points in her life. So, like her first day of school all through, or a graduate degree, potentially," Long said. "I feel like I've already had my miracle," Sara said. "I feel like Riley is my miracle. ..."Editor's note: Sara Long died sooner than expected, just 8 days later on December 12, 2024. Click here for the moving message from her husband, describing her death, paired with the video from December 4th. Click here for an additional "exclusive" interview from People magazine with Sara, describing her decision to enter hospice care.
Think you know what nursing research looks like? Think again
05/02/25 at 03:00 AMThink you know what nursing research looks like? Think again Boise State News, Boise, ID; 4/30/25 “Research” doesn’t just mean generating new discoveries through experimentation. Boise State supports Boyer’s model of scholarship, which expands the definition of research and creative activity to include applying and integrating knowledge into other settings, as well as teaching it. ... [An] interdisciplinary team is working to improve hospice and palliative care for refugees. ... Clinicians and refugees often do not share common cultures, languages or communication norms, so [Kate] Doyon has been building a community advisory board to create a communication guide. They’re working with stakeholders–including refugees and providers–to develop prompts that will enhance the care refugees receive, starting on the level of communication. Ornelas said the refugees they interviewed “gave us a lot of insight on different cultures and how we can go about and make prompts.” The prompts are short phrases to remind the healthcare team of best ways to interact with refugees and productively approach conversations.
How cultural shifts surrounding death reflect our evolving health priorities
04/29/25 at 02:00 AMHow cultural shifts surrounding death reflect our evolving health priorities WorldHealth.net; 4/28/25 The culture of thinking about death is evolving in profound and lasting ways. ... Modern society is seeing an unprecedented change in the way we approach mortality since health consciousness, sustainability, and personal well-being now dictate end-of-life discussions. These cultural shifts and changing attitudes about death are indicative of our overall health interests, demonstrating how much our ways of living have crossed with our ways of dying.
By the Bay forges educational partnerships to grow hospice, home-based care workforce
04/25/25 at 03:00 AMBy the Bay forges educational partnerships to grow hospice, home-based care workforce Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 4/23/25 By the Bay Health has launched a new career program that aims to build up the next generation of home-based health care professionals amid widespread workforce shortages. The California-based health system unveiled its educational initiative, Pathways to Care Careers, in December 2024 as part of its 50th anniversary commemoration. The program is a collaboration with local schools and community organizations. By the Bay Health recently began a $1 million fundraising campaign to support the expansion of the career initiative. A main goal is to reach an increasingly diverse range of health care workers further upstream in their educational journeys, said Robertina Szolarova, chief administrative officer at By the Bay Health and program lead for its Pathways to Care Careers initiative.
Prevention of acute hospital transfers for long-term care residents at the end of life
04/24/25 at 02:00 AMPrevention of acute hospital transfers for long-term care residents at the end of life American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AJHPM); by Kirsten Lanpher, DMS, MSPA, PA-C and Kirsten Brondstater, DMS, MSPAS, PA-C; 3/24/25 Findings: Long-term care residents are a vulnerable population with advanced comorbidities who often require high acuity care and are subject to preventable transfers to the hospital at the EOL. These disruptions in EOL care cause harm and complications, negatively impacting quality of care. The consequences of these events can be mitigated with early advance care planning to include documentation of EOL care goals, onsite medical clinicians to make critical decisions and provide care within LTC facilities, and adequate staffing with proper palliative and hospice care training. Conclusion: Immediate action is needed to advocate for this high risk population and implement interventions to prevent hospital transfers at the EOL, therefore improving quality of care and positively influencing LTC residents’ EOL experience.
The intersection of dignity and healing with Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov
04/23/25 at 02:45 AMThe intersection of dignity and healing with Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov Practice of the Practice; podcast by Jo Sanok with Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov; 4/22/25 How can we ensure dignity in end-of-life care? What does every therapist need to know about actively incorporating dignity into therapeutic care for their clients? What is the procedure for a practical application of dignity in therapy and healthcare? In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok discusses the intersection of dignity and healing with Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov.
“It’s an homage”: Noah Wyle quietly sneaked in a tribute in one of the best episodes of ‘The Pitt’
04/23/25 at 02:00 AM“It’s an homage”: Noah Wyle quietly sneaked in a tribute in one of the best episodes of ‘The Pitt’ FandomWire; by Arian Cruz; 4/18/25 In the fourth episode of The Pitt titled 10:00 A.M., Noah Wyle’s Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch monitored Mr. Spencer during his final hours while dealing with his own thoughts about the death of his beloved mentor, Dr. Adamson. He remembers the advice he received from him and shared it with the children of the dying patient as they waited for their father to pass. The phrases ‘I love you,’ ‘Thank you,’ ‘I forgive you,’ and ‘Please forgive me’ are words that need to be heard when someone is at the end of their life. Wyle revealed that he took these lessons from palliative care physician and author Ira Byock when he was writing the screenplay. Wyle said these short phrases are profound and hold deep meanings beyond their simplicity. He made sure to weave them in on the show while taking inspiration from his own mother for the emotional scenes. He shared via USA Today: "A very similar event had played out with my mother and her brother when saying goodbye to my grandfather. After she shared this with me, I just said ‘Thank you,’ went right back to my typewriter and wrote the scene. It’s an homage to my mother, my uncle and my grandfather.Editor's and Publisher's note: And we thank you, Dr. Ira Byock, for your profound, immeasurable influence for so many of us--professionally with those we serve, and personally with our own families and friends.
This weekend: Passover and Easter with hospice patients and families
04/18/25 at 03:00 AMThis weekend: Passover and Easter with hospice patients and familiesHospice & Palliative Care Today; by Joy Berger, DMA, FT, BCC, MT-BC, editor in chief; 4/17/25 This weekend brings a confluence of the Jewish Passover and Christian Easter holy days. Whatever your faith system, understanding at least a bit about the diverse faith systems of those you serve matters. We provide these hospice-specific resources as references:
Lonely planet: How the world is fighting social isolation
04/15/25 at 02:00 AMLonely planet: How the world is fighting social isolation Medscape Medical News; by Deborah Brauser; 3/25/25 Loneliness/social isolation isn’t just a transient emotion or situation, it’s turned into a global crisis with serious public health consequences. In 2023, then–US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, sounded the alarm, declaring loneliness an epidemic and citing seminal research equating its harmful effects to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The numbers tell a stark story: Recent research has linked chronic loneliness to depression, dementia, and even early death.Editor's note: Pair this with our recent post, Risk factors for and health status of socially isolated adults.
A hospice nurse made a promise—and found homes for 1,300 pets
04/10/25 at 03:15 AMA hospice nurse made a promise—and found homes for 1,300 pets Miami Herald, Miami, FL; by Jen Reeder; 4/7/25Working as a hospice nurse, Joanne Bonicelli spent years offering comfort to dying people. Then, in 1998, a request from one patient changed her life. A young woman in her 40s had a fluffy white dog named Jasper, who never left her side while she was at Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care in Colorado Springs, Colorado. One day, the woman called Joanne to her bedside. “I don’t know where Jasper will end up or who will care for him when I am gone…it’s just too painful to bear,” she told Joanne as tears streamed down her face. “I can’t die in peace worrying what will happen to him…can you euthanize him in my arms as I pass?” The heart-wrenching request stunned Joanne. She asked a veterinarian about what they could do, and after meeting Jasper, the vet’s eyes welled with tears at the prospect of putting down a healthy dog. There has to be a better way, they both agreed. [Continue reading ...]
Home hacks for geriatric dogs and cats
04/08/25 at 03:00 AMHome hacks for geriatric dogs and cats dvm360; by Tyler Carmack, DVM, CVA, CVFT, CHPV, CTPEP, CVPP; 4/4/25 As pets grow older, they encounter mobility, comfort, and overall well-being challenges that can significantly affect their quality of life. Anticipating and addressing these issues early can profoundly impact their later years. As a house call veterinarian dedicated to hospice and palliative care, the first thing I take note of when entering a new home is all the challenges that the patient faces to simply navigate their daily routine. Often, families are aware of some of these difficulties, but others often go overlooked or unnoticed. ... Here are some valuable "home hacks" to share with clients, ensuring their aging dogs and cats enjoy improved day-to-day comfort. ...
Terri Schiavo's death 20 years ago sparked lingering debate about death and politics
04/07/25 at 03:00 AMTerri Schiavo's death 20 years ago sparked lingering debate about death and politics USA Today; by Marc Ramirez; 3/31/25 Monday [March 31st marked] 20 years since the death of Terri Schiavo, whose landmark case became the symbol of the "right to die" movement, generated political controversy and sparked public outcry as her husband and family members took their fight over her fate to the courts. Schiavo died on March 31, 2005, after a dragged-out legal and political battle ... The case thrust discussions about end-of-life care into the public consciousness, a topic that continues to provoke heightened emotions among Americans. “It became the most reviewed, debated end-of-life case in history,” said Arthur Caplan, who heads the division of medical ethics at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. [Continue reading ...]
Franciscan Health men’s group meets to grieve together
04/04/25 at 03:00 AMFranciscan Health men’s group meets to grieve together Daily Journal, Indianapolis, IN; by Ryan Trares; 3/31/25 The depths of the loss felt so great. When Phil Darmelio’s wife, Joanne, died in March 2023, he knew he needed help in his grief. The couple had been together for 60 years, and Darmelio was not certain who to talk to about his feelings. The suggestion of attending a bereavement group specifically for men seemed like a good place to start. The support has been overwhelmingly positive. ... The men’s bereavement group, hosted by Franciscan Health, has offered men grieving a death in their lives a place to heal with others in similar situation. Meeting weekly at the Franciscan Hospice House on the southside, the group offers a specially tailored program intended to meet the emotional needs of men. [Continue reading ...]
Trump administration to shut down CMS, HHS minority health offices amid restructuring
04/04/25 at 03:00 AMTrump administration to shut down CMS, HHS minority health offices amid restructuring Healthcare Dive; by Rebecca Pifer; 3/31/25 The CMS and HHS offices that coordinate efforts to eliminate health disparities are being shut down completely as part of the Trump administration’s overhaul of the federal healthcare department, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter. Closing the offices will impact efforts to improve the health of underserved patients in the U.S. — and is probably illegal, according to experts. ... Shutting the offices, which were authorized by the Affordable Care Act more than a decade ago, may also be illegal, according to legal experts. [Continue reading ...]
Navigating the intersection of heart failure and palliative care: A holistic approach to improving quality of life
04/04/25 at 03:00 AMNavigating the intersection of heart failure and palliative care: A holistic approach to improving quality of life Cureus; by Awanwosa V. Agho, Fatimot Disu, Efeturi M. Okorigba, Okelue E. Okobi, Safiyya Muhammad, Toheeb Bakare, Chioma Ezuma-Ebong, Nneka Muoghalu; 3/30/25 ... Historically, palliative care has often been perceived as a last-resort option, introduced only when curative treatments have failed, creating a false dichotomy between life-prolonging therapies and symptom management. However, modern palliative care frameworks emphasize its integration throughout the disease trajectory, particularly for chronic, progressive illnesses like heart failure. ... Palliative care should ideally be initiated at diagnosis of advanced heart failure or with early signs of significant symptom burden to ensure timely, patient-centered support, as recommended by ACC, AHA, and HFSA guidelines
Hospices must ‘evolve’ to better support next generation of caregivers
04/03/25 at 03:00 AMHospices must ‘evolve’ to better support next generation of caregivers Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 3/31/25 Individuals in the millennial and generation Z (Gen Z) age groups represent a swelling proportion of today’s family caregivers. They face unique challenges when providing support for hospice patients compared to others, recent research has found. ... Understanding the competing, complex priorities of these generations is pivotal for hospices’ ability to deliver quality care, according to Nicole McCann-Davis, senior client advisor and research director at Transcend Strategy Group. [Continue reading ...]
How this thrift shop helps Virginia families in their time of need: 'They’re good people here'
04/03/25 at 03:00 AMHow this thrift shop helps Virginia families in their time of need: 'They’re good people here' CBS-6 News - Richmond, Petersburg, VA; by Wayne Covil; 3/31/25 The regulars who frequent Crater Community Hospice Thrift Shops were busy browsing for bargains on Monday. They know that some of the money they spend here goes back into their community. Crater Community Hospice runs the stores as a way for the nonprofit to raise much-needed funding. "The money we bring in to our stores goes directly to caring for our patients," Zach Holt, with Crater Community Hospice, said. "I don’t want to ever say no to a patient. I don’t want to ever say no to a patient’s need." Krystal Mansfield told CBS 6 there was a reason she chose to shop at Crater Community Hospice Thrift Shops. "[It] was a big part of my grandmother's end of time, and they took very good care of her in her last days," Mansfield said. ... Angie Dowdy shared a similar story. ... [Continue reading ...]
Niagara Hospice to offer free community presentation for National Healthcare Decisions Day
04/02/25 at 03:00 AMNiagara Hospice to offer free community presentation for National Healthcare Decisions Day Niagara Frontier Publications; Press Release; 3/28/25 April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day, which is a day set aside to educate and empower individuals to discuss and document their end-of-life health care wishes. Niagara Hospice invites the community to attend the free presentation, “Advance Care Planning: Advance Directives for Health Care,” ... Advance care planning includes advance directives like health care proxies, do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, and living wills. Advance directives help to ensure end-of-life care wishes are followed if one is unable to make necessary decisions for themselves. [Continue reading ...]Editor's note: For more information about National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), explor The Conversation Project, at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.