Literature Review
All posts tagged with “General News | Changing the Culture of Dying.”
Honoring Black History Month: Advancing equity in hospice and end-of-life care
02/05/26 at 03:00 AMHonoring Black History Month: Advancing equity in hospice and end-of-life care Gilchrist; by Gilchrist Staff; 2/3/26 Black History Month is a time to honor the resilience, contributions, and leadership of Black Americans, past and present, while also reflecting on the work that remains to ensure equity across all areas of society, including healthcare. In hospice and palliative care, Black leaders, clinicians, advocates, and community members have played a vital role in expanding access, shaping compassionate care models, and addressing long-standing disparities at the end of life. At Gilchrist, Black History Month is not only about reflection, but also about action.
Sheinelle Jones honors nurses who cared for her late husband
02/05/26 at 03:00 AMSheinelle Jones honors nurses who cared for her late husbandTODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle; YouTube segment from tv show; 2/4/26 TODAY's Sheinelle Jones pays special tribute to the nurses and caretakers who looked after her husband Uche Ojeh while in hospice and not only made the time he had left more comfortable, but also supported her and the whole family during their most difficult moments. "The only reason I even have the strength to talk about it, is because I believe that they're our heroes. They deserve all the love and attention we can give them," she says. Then, the care team, Jazzie Stickle, Denise James Wright, Nykyra Owens, Chanel Duff and Jessica Goldstein, get a special surprise.Editor's Note: This segment on TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle honored Uche's birthday, the first birthday Sheinelle and her family are experiencing since his death from brain cancer in May 2025. Hudson Valley Hospice provided hospice care, and beautifully represented the best of hospice care's philosophy and care. In addition to nurses and aides, Sheinelle especially thanked Uche's speech pathologist who helped him voice "I love you." I invite you to watch this and be inspired: Sheinelle Jones' late husband Uche relearned to say 'I love you' in hospice. And she has the video.
It’s time to get more comfortable with talking about dying: Palliative care physicians offer advice for end-of-life conversations between patients, loved ones
02/05/26 at 03:00 AMIt’s time to get more comfortable with talking about dying: Palliative care physicians offer advice for end-of-life conversations between patients, loved ones The Harvard Gazetter; by Anna Lamb; 2/3/26 More than 90 percent of Americans believe that we should be able to talk about death and dying, according to a recent poll. But only 27 percent were comfortable doing it, and 31 percent were uneasy about contemplating their own mortality. But things may be starting to change. Since the end of the pandemic, more Americans are having conversations about end-of-life care. And The New York Times cited a perceived desire for greater openness and more dialogue in launching a new series last year aimed at exploring various aspects of death and dying.
National policy framework for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes
02/04/26 at 03:00 AMNational policy framework for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes; email and webpage; 2/3/26The NCPPCH recently formally released its National Policy Framework for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes, and has begun early engagement with key national partners. This framework is intended to help policymakers at the state and federal level better understand the structural, licensing, and reimbursement pathways needed to support Pediatric Palliative Care Centers nationwide. Review the Policy Framework and Executive Summary here: https://www.ncppch.org/national-policy-framework.
Crossroads House to launch 'talking about death over dinner' program
02/04/26 at 03:00 AMCrossroads House to launch 'talking about death over dinner' program The Batavian; by Howard B. Owens; 2/2/26 Crossroads House will launch a community conversation program this fall designed to help people discuss end-of-life wishes before a crisis makes those conversations impossible. The program, called "Talking About Death Over Dinner. Won't Kill You," will bring small groups together over meals to break the ice on what founder Kathy Panepento calls "one of life's most profound topics." ... The dinner discussions will be facilitated gatherings for friends, book clubs, church groups, neighbors or co-workers. A trained facilitator will guide conversations through thoughtful questions about quality of life, personal values and end-of-life care preferences.
The Parmenter Foundation expands compassionate care, bereavement community with 2026 grants
02/04/26 at 02:00 AMThe Parmenter Foundation expands compassionate care, bereavement community with 2026 grants Transcendental Meditation News Today, Wayland, MA; Press Release; 2/3/26 ... The Parmenter Foundation, based in Wayland, Mass., will provide $400,000 to nearly two dozen innovative and compassionate programs in four areas of support: children’s bereavement, caregiver support, family bereavement, and hospice care. “We are honored to provide funding to such deserving organizations in 2026,” said Executive Director Angela Crocker. ... Among this year’s grantees is long-term partner Good Shepherd Community Care’s Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice Residence, ... and Empower Grieving Children, ... [Click here for the full list.]
CAPC tools and events to help address disparities and improve outcomes
02/04/26 at 02:00 AMCAPC tools and events to help address disparities and improve outcomes Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC); email and webpage; 2/2/26 February 2026 marks 100 years of Black History Month. As we reflect on a century of honoring the history and contributions of Black Americans, CAPC’s Project Equity initiative focuses on turning that reflection into action by providing practical tools, innovative practices, and training to help palliative care teams effectively advance health equity for patients living with serious illness.
VITAS Healthcare to be featured on CNBC's Now We Know! with Steve Guttenberg – airing January 31
01/30/26 at 03:00 AMVITAS Healthcare to be featured on CNBC's Now We Know! with Steve Guttenberg – airing January 31 1045 TheDan.com, Delray Beach, FL; by Now We Know!; 1/29/26The upcoming episode of Now We Know! with Steve Guttenberg, airing Saturday, January 31 at 11a ET on CNBC, will feature VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leader in hospice and palliative care dedicated to improving quality of life for seriously ill patients and their families. ... Hosted by actor, author, and businessman, Steve Guttenberg, this unique platform inspires the next generation of knowledge seekers and viewers around the country.
Fly fishing support group provides new angle on grief processing: The grieving can find peace in the rhythm of fishing
01/30/26 at 03:00 AMFly fishing support group provides new angle on grief processing: The grieving can find peace in the rhythm of fishingTimes Courier, Ellijay, GA; by Jackson Elliott; 1/28/26 Few people understand grief like a hospice chaplain. “I’ve experienced about 5,000 deaths,” former hospice chaplain Rick Gillert said. “And I’ve helped those families and patients through the grieving process." “‘I had this idea in the back of my head of combining professional grief care with fly fishing,” he said. During his time as a hospice chaplain, he would often seek peace from the difficulty of the work by going fishing the next day. “I can almost imagine my anxieties, my worries as leaves falling on the water and washing away,” Gillert said. In his program, clients join a group and go through a 10-week course on fly fishing, processing grief and coping skills.
Sanofi Collective - Foundation S stands behind transformative children's palliative care project in Kenya
01/29/26 at 03:00 AMSanofi Collective - Foundation S stands behind transformative children's palliative care project in Kenya Global Treehouse Foundation; Press Release; 1/27/26 A significant grant from the Foundation S - the Sanofi Collective will enable a transformative three-year project delivering comprehensive grief and bereavement care to families affected by childhood cancer in Kenya. This is about more than funding: it’s about ensuring families are seen, supported and not left to navigate their most challenging moments alone. Foundation S’s investment is a significant milestone in integrating grief and social-emotional support into healthcare systems - an area too often overlooked, yet essential to the dignity and well-being of children and those who love them.
Urns over caskets: Cremations now way more popular than burials
01/28/26 at 03:00 AMUrns over caskets: Cremations now way more popular than burials Axios; by Carly Mallenbaum; 1/25/26 Cremations are now twice as common as burials in the U.S., reversing a norm from two decades ago, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. Why it matters: Shifting attitudes around religion, cost and the environment are reshaping how Americans handle death. By the numbers: Cremation surpassed burial nationwide in 2015 — and the gap has only widened since, with the NFDA projecting cremation will continue gaining share. ... Instead of opting for a traditional burial — which requires more land use, upkeep, embalming processes and items like caskets — people are going greener.
The most important thing you need to know about end of life planning
01/28/26 at 02:00 AMThe most important thing you need to know about end of life planning Forbes; by Peter Ubel; 1/22/26 ... Many experts say I should document my preferences clearly and unambiguously in my medical records so that, in the case of mental incapacity, my doctors can look at what I say and honor those preferences. According to the AARP, leaving ahead detailed instructions about your end-of-life preferences means “that you remain the captain of your own ship.” ... I respect these experts. And I do not begrudge anyone who has filled out such a document. But I worry that this approach won’t work and could even backfire. That is why I prefer a different approach, which I will describe shortly. But first, I need to explain why these kind of detailed advanced directives could backfire. ...
Miami camp helps grieving children heal through art and play
01/27/26 at 03:00 AMMiami camp helps grieving children heal through art and play Local 10.com, Miami, FL; by Christian De La Rosa; 1/25/26 ... During Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, laughter, music and paint-filled hands filled Miami’s Shake-A-Leg sports center as children ages 4 to 18 took part in Camp Kangaroo, a free, two-day grief support camp. At first glance, it looked like a typical camp experience. But every child there shared a common bond. ... Camp Kangaroo is designed specifically for children who are grieving, blending therapeutic support with creative activities. The program is hosted by AccentCare Hospice in partnership with Seasons Hospice Foundation and is offered in locations across Florida and the country.
Changing the story data tells about Black health
01/27/26 at 03:00 AMChanging the story data tells about Black health The Seattle Medium, Seattle, WA; by Joseph Williams; 1/26/26 When it comes to the health of Black Americans, the numbers don’t lie. ... Last August, Word In Black launched its Insights & Research Division, a data-focused department centered on the perspectives, priorities, and lived experiences of Black Americans. The goal is straightforward: find out what Black people think about the issues affecting them most, analyze the results, and use those insights to reshape the narrative.
10 things I learned after 10 years with ovarian cancer
01/26/26 at 03:00 AM10 things I learned after 10 years with ovarian cancer Cure; by Kelly Irvin; 1/22/26 My birthday was January 20. ... I received my stage 4 ovarian cancer diagnosis on Jan. 16, 2016. ... So here I am still alive ten years later on my 68th birthday. ... I feel I’m allowed to share what I wish my younger self had known when I received my diagnosis. Counting down to number one, here are my lessons learned:
Integrating compassion and policy: Highlights from IAHPC Advocacy, 2025
01/24/26 at 03:10 AMIntegrating compassion and policy: Highlights from IAHPC Advocacy, 2025Palliative Medicine in Practice: by Katherine Irene PettusIn 2025, the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC) advanced advocacy for palliative care as an ethical, clinical, and human rights imperative. As a non-state actor in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), the association worked across policy, faith, and professional domains to integrate palliative care into universal health coverage frameworks. This report summarizes IAHPC’s global activities from February to November 2025, including engagement at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), collaboration with WHO and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the launch of the Leadership and Advocacy Development (LEAD2) program, and new interfaith and educational initiatives.Assistant Editor's note: As I peruse peer reviewed journals to bring you relevant and current summaries of research, I am amazed at the large number of articles published now about palliative care. It wasn't this way just a few years ago. As a long-time hospice and palliative care nurse, I am delighted to see the ground swell of interest in the principles, the need, the value, and the effectiveness of palliative care. I feel like 'We Have Arrived' (finally!). Kudos to all of you who have worked tirelessly over many years to educate professionals and the public at large, about palliative care and its virtues. I know we are not done; there is more to do. But we've come a long way baby!
‘Death Cafe’ will explore end-of-life issues, over refreshments
01/23/26 at 03:00 AM‘Death Cafe’ will explore end-of-life issues, over refreshments OC Register, Orange County, CA; by Teri Sforza; 1/21/26 The Orange County Deathworkers Alliance wants to chat about your inevitable demise. Yes, members say, they’re a blast at parties! The Alliance is not a grief support group exactly, but a collection of caregivers, doulas, doctors, organizers and the like who help folks get a grip on the details attendant to their own mortality, and/or the mortality of loved ones. ... Death Cafés are a global movement, allowing people to discuss the oft-taboo thoughts and questions they have about the end of life. Organizers say the format encourages folks to share personal stories, explore their feelings and/or simply listen to other perspectives in a supportive atmosphere.
Advance care planning in patients nearing the end of life: A pre-intervention study of racial disparities and provider factors
01/22/26 at 03:00 AMAdvance care planning in patients nearing the end of life: A pre-intervention study of racial disparities and provider factors Journal of General Internal Medicine | Springer; by Vedha Penmetcha BA, Mia Marcotte BA, Yashaswani Chauhan MD, Malathi Srinivasan MD, Adrian M. Bacong PhD, Amelia Sattler MD; 1/19/26 The pre-intervention study of Advance Care Planning (ACP) in patients nearing the end of life highlighted significant racial disparities and the impact of provider factors on ACP documentation. The study found that Asian patients were least likely to have ACP documentation in their charts, and minorities who had ACP conversations were less likely to have documentation. This suggests that ACP conversations are often not documented in the electronic health records of these patients, indicating a need for targeted interventions to improve ACP documentation rates. The study also revealed that providers may struggle to identify who and when to engage in ACP conversations, which can be a barrier to effective ACP.
[United Kingdom] Man to attempt 50-hour charity gaming marathon
01/22/26 at 03:00 AM[United Kingdom] Man to attempt 50-hour charity gaming marathon BBC News, West Midlands, United Kingdom; by Elliot Ball; 1/21/26 A man has challenged himself to a 50-hour gaming marathon to raise funds for a hospice that cared for a close friend. Rick Holloway, from Worcester, has completed eight similar challenges, all in memory of Mike Grubb, and raised more than £4,300 over five years for St Richard's Hospice. His latest challenge saw him play Championship Manager non-stop for 50 hours in November with a second identical 50-hour marathon set to start at 10:00 GMT on 3 April, finishing at 12:00 on 5 April.
How nurses assess care goals to boost patient satisfaction
01/22/26 at 02:00 AMHow nurses assess care goals to boost patient satisfaction informa; by Sara Heath; 1/21/26 Nurses at New Jersey's Valley Hospital boosted patient satisfaction by 14% by soliciting and understanding patient care goals. Krystal LaNeve, a nurse at Valley Hospital in Paramus, New Jersey, often finds herself talking a lot with her patients. ... [Dialogue is] key to patient-centered care but operationalizing that can be an uphill battle. Healthcare teams are strapped for time, and it can be difficult to discuss care preferences with patients ... Editor's Note: While most of this article is behind a paywall, a similar article is posted on the ANA Nursing Resources Hub, "Ways Nurses Can Improve Patient Care."
The long quiet of Karen Andrews
01/16/26 at 03:00 AMThe long quiet of Karen Andrews 15 - Utah's Art Magazine, by Shawn Rossiter; 1/14/25 When Alli Harbertson first walked into the Andrews home, it was the paintings that stopped her. “They’re everywhere,” Harbertson recalls. The living room—where Karen Andrews’ hospital bed had been placed—was filled with artwork, paintings covering the walls and leaning against furniture while ceramics, blankets and small sculptures covered coffee tables, bureaus and dressers. ... [After Karen's death,] Ron Andrews did not know what to do with the more than 130 painting, but he knew what his wife had asked of him. “She was so clear,” Harbertson says. “She said, ‘I made my mark. This is the mark I made—my paintings. Don’t let them go to the DI.’” ...
No time like the present: End-of-life simulation in the first semester of a 12-month accelerated baccalaureate nursing program
01/10/26 at 03:45 AMNo time like the present: End-of-life simulation in the first semester of a 12-month accelerated baccalaureate nursing programJournal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing; by Alexander T Wolf, Karen L Hunt, Maura D Penfield; 12/25Accelerated nursing programs face unique challenges in incorporating palliative care. This report describes a high-fidelity home hospice simulation developed for first-semester students in a 12-month accelerated baccalaureate nursing program in the northeastern United States. The simulation integrated foundational nursing skills with palliative care competencies. Thematic analysis of student reflections revealed 5 emerging themes: pain management, empathy, family involvement, communication, and knowledge and preparation. Despite challenges in creating a realistic home environment, the simulation provided valuable hands-on experience in palliative care, demonstrating the potential for early curricular integration of these crucial skills.
Together we remember: Using topic modeling and semantic networks to study obituaries and collective memories of contemporary United States
01/10/26 at 03:00 AMTogether we remember: Using topic modeling and semantic networks to study obituaries and collective memories of contemporary United States Omega - Journal of Death and Dying; Haojian Li, Chengfang Wang, and Ping Hu; 12/6/25 Obituaries have long served as an important source in recording memories and social values in the United States. However, prior research has focused primarily on celebrities or specific groups, often overlooking the narratives of ordinary citizens and neglecting broader discussions of their collective memories. This study addresses these gaps by applying large-scale data analysis and computational methods. ... Overall, this study contributes new insights to obituary research and introduces a novel framework for examining collective memory through large-scale commemorative texts.
Google AI overviews put people at risk of harm with misleading health advice
01/08/26 at 03:00 AMGoogle AI overviews put people at risk of harm with misleading health advice The Guardian; by Andrew Gregory; 1/2/26 People are being put at risk of harm by false and misleading health information in Google’s artificial intelligence summaries, a Guardian investigation has found. The company has said its AI Overviews, which use generative AI to provide snapshots of essential information about a topic or question, are “helpful” and “reliable”. But some of the summaries, which appear at the top of search results, served up inaccurate health information and put people at risk of harm. ...
Reconnecting at the end: The healing power of nature in hospice and palliative care
01/07/26 at 03:00 AMReconnecting at the end: The healing power of nature in hospice and palliative care ehospice; by Dr. Owen Wiseman; 1/5/26 ... Humans are wired to feel better in nature. We feel calmer when we see the colour green or hear water flowing from a stream nearby. ... Evidence shows that simply viewing nature can reduce pain, anxiety, and stress. In one of the most-cited studies, patients recovering from surgery who had window views of nature used 21% fewer pain medications and shortened hospital stays. ... I’ve had a front-row seat to the power of nature in palliative care, both professionally and personally. ...Small Ways to Bring Nature In - Not every hospice or palliative care space has access to large gardens or forests. That said, nature can still find a way in: