Literature Review
All posts tagged with “General News | Changing the Culture of Dying.”
Hospice of the Valley launches support group for people with mild cognitive impairment
11/04/25 at 03:00 AMHospice of the Valley launches support group for people with mild cognitive impairment Lovin' Life; by Lin Sue Flood; 11/2/25 Living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can be an isolating experience, but a new program from Hospice of the Valley offers a welcoming space for connection and support. GATHER is a peer-led group where individuals diagnosed with MCI can share their experiences, navigate emotions, and discover new coping strategies together. ... GATHER provides a safe environment for members to lead their own discussions. Unlike traditional support groups, members are empowered to guide conversations toward topics that are most relevant to them. This novel format models successful programs in Europe.
Natalie’s Notes: Dad’s weekend needs events for grieving students
11/03/25 at 03:00 AMNatalie’s Notes: Dad’s weekend needs events for grieving students The Post, Athens, OH; by Natalie Saddler; 10/31/25 This weekend is Ohio University’s Dads weekend, filled with events, ... throughout campus. Although many students enjoy these events, some students could be grieving a deceased loved one from afar, and this weekend may affect them negatively. ... However, the only hospice program in Athens doesn’t offer any support groups or community bereavement services. Many grieving Athens residents can’t access a proper support group, especially students with family members in hospice care. ... [A support event was created] through the Honoros Tutorial College called AlternaDad’s.
Bearing witness in home hospice: Ethical reflections on caring for Asian American patients
11/03/25 at 03:00 AMBearing witness in home hospice: Ethical reflections on caring for Asian American patients American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Tuzhen Xu, PhD, APRN, FNP-C and Dan Song, PhD, RN This narrative aims to examine the ethical and cultural challenges faced by home hospice nurses when caring for Asian American patients in culturally diverse home-based environments. Drawing on personal experiences as a hospice nurse case manager and director, it explores how cultural practices such as avoiding direct discussions about death, prioritizing family-centered decision-making, and hesitating to use professional interpreters can conflict with hospice principles of patient autonomy and informed consent.
Affirming healthcare experiences among older Black-and White-identifying gay men living with serious illness: A qualitative study in the Deep South
11/01/25 at 03:20 AMAffirming healthcare experiences among older Black-and White-identifying gay men living with serious illness: A qualitative study in the Deep SouthAmerican Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care; by Korijna Valenti, Michael Barnett, Stacy Smallwood, Ronit Elk; 10/25Older gay men living with serious illness often face challenges related to identity, disclosure, and relational recognition in healthcare settings [and] these challenges are particularly acute in the Deep South, where affirming care remains inconsistent, and disparities persist. Three main themes were identified [in this study]: (1) Experiences of Inclusion and Visibility, (2) Positive Communication, and (3) Sharing Sexuality and Effect on Care. Clear communication, honesty, and opportunities to ask questions were critical in navigating medical decisions. Discussions of sexual orientation were context-dependent and often shaped by perceptions of safety. Recognition of chosen family members, particularly partners, was central to participants' sense of dignity and affirmation in care.
Love, loss and last wishes fulfilled at Duke HomeCare & Hospice: Staff members regularly make miracles happen
10/31/25 at 03:00 AMLove, loss and last wishes fulfilled at Duke HomeCare & Hospice: Staff members regularly make miracles happen Duke Today, Durham, NC; by Working@Duke; 10/29/25 The bell chimed three times at Hock Family Pavilion, and everyone knew what it meant. Duke HomeCare & Hospice nurses and workers stepped into the hallway of Duke’s 12-person inpatient hospice facility, solemnly waiting in silence. Anthony Wilkie, a Duke Clinical Nurse, had been bracing himself for the moment with a mixture of sorrow and humility. When a bell rings three times at Hock Family Pavilion, a patient has just died and a ritual is about to begin. ...
WHO strengthens palliative care across the eastern Mediterranean to improve quality of life
10/30/25 at 03:00 AMWHO strengthens palliative care across the eastern Mediterranean to improve quality of life fundsforNGOs; Press Release; 10/29/25 The Seventy-second session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean marked a historic step forward for health systems in the Region, as Member States endorsed resolution EM/RC72/R.4 on palliative care. The decision represents a transformative commitment to support individuals living with life-limiting illnesses, chronic conditions, and frailty, ensuring that care extends beyond treatment to dignity and compassion. ... [While] 2.4 million people in the Region need palliative care each year, less than 1% currently receive it. ... The resolution calls for countries to integrate palliative care into national health strategies, guarantee access to essential medicines such as oral opioids, and incorporate palliative care education into health professional training.
EverHeart Hospice to be featured on all access with Andy Garcia
10/29/25 at 03:00 AMEverHeart Hospice to be featured on all access with Andy Garcia Mercer County Outlook, Greenville, OH; 10/27/25 EverHeart Hospice is set to be featured in an upcoming national documentary distributed to public television on “All Access with Andy Garcia.” The segment will provide vital education on the topics of hospice and palliative care, highlighting the compassionate, specialized support EverHeart Hospice provides to its patients and families. ... The feature will be distributed nationally, reaching major markets in all fifty states, with an anticipated availability in early 2026 for circulation. The national emphasis on distribution will help demystify end-of-life care and promote a greater understanding of the benefits of both hospice and palliative services to viewing audiences.
After her son’s painful death, a Cheshire mother highlights Connecticut’s pediatric hospice gap
10/28/25 at 02:00 AMAfter her son’s painful death, a Cheshire mother highlights Connecticut’s pediatric hospice gap New Haven Register, Norwalk, CT; by Cris Villalonga-Vivoni; 10/26/25 Carolyn Torello believes that no parent should outlive their children, yet that became her reality. ... As his condition worsened, the family faced his impending death without the support of pediatric palliative or hospice care. No provider, she said, seemed to know how to help or where to begin. He died at 15 years old in 2021. ... In 2020, an estimated 7,800 children in Connecticut were living with complex medical conditions that limited their life expectancy and could have benefited from palliative or hospice care, according to data from the National Survey of Children's Health. ... Torello thinks that if Michael had access to hospice care, he could have died with greater dignity, and their family could have focused on simply being together. ... Efforts to create a more formalized pediatric palliative care system have been underway since 2024, led by a state-commissioned working group that will make recommendations to the legislature on potential reforms.
Mentorship, military legacy, and making a difference with Susan Combs
10/27/25 at 03:00 AMMentorship, military legacy, and making a difference with Susan Combs Advisor Today; podcast with Susan Combs; 10/25/25 Susan Combs is the Founder of Pancakes for Roger, a nonprofit that honors veterans and amplifies their stories through a grassroots “pancakes” movement. She created it after her father, a Major General, asked for pancakes while on hospice, inspiring a campaign, book, and advocacy project.Editor's Note: Though Veteran's Day is only two weeks away, you have time to implement Susan's amazing "Pancakes for Roger" for the veterans you serve, via their annual national (and international) campaigns each February. Explore more information.
Should an AI copy of you help decide if you live or die? Doctors share top concerns of AI surrogates aiding life-or-death decisions.
10/22/25 at 03:00 AMShould an AI copy of you help decide if you live or die? Doctors share top concerns of AI surrogates aiding life-or-death decisions. Ars Technica; by Ashley Belanger; 10/20/25 For more than a decade, researchers have wondered whether artificial intelligence could help predict what incapacitated patients might want when doctors must make life-or-death decisions on their behalf. It remains one of the most high-stakes questions in health care AI today. But as AI improves, some experts increasingly see it as inevitable that digital “clones” of patients could one day aid family members, doctors, and ethics boards in making end-of-life decisions that are aligned with a patient’s values and goals.
How pop culture influences choices around death, dying
10/21/25 at 03:00 AMHow pop culture influences choices around death, dying Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/20/25 The popular media that people consume, including television shows, can influence their end-of-life decision making. This is according to new research from End Well, a nonprofit dedicated to the belief that all people should experience the end of life in a way that matches their values and goals. The study examines whether pop culture storylines that involve death and dying influence viewers’ behavior when it comes to advance care planning.
Letters without limits: Linda McDaniel
10/20/25 at 03:00 AMLetters without limits: Linda McDaniel The Johns Hopkins News-Letter; by Max Siauw and Linda McDaniel; 10/18/25 Letters Without Limits, founded by students at Johns Hopkins and Brown University, connects volunteers with palliative care and hospice patients to co-create “Legacy Letters.” These letters capture memories, values and lessons that patients wish to share, preserving stories that might otherwise be lost. By honoring these voices and preserving legacies, Letters Without Limits hopes to affirm the central role of humanism in medicine, reminding us that every patient is more than their illness and that their voices deserve to be heard. As you read these powerful Legacy Letters, we invite you to pause, reflect and recognize the beauty in every life.
Examining public-facing hospice medical aid in dying participation policies in legalizing U.S. jurisdictions
10/18/25 at 03:10 AMExamining public-facing hospice medical aid in dying participation policies in legalizing U.S. jurisdictionsJournal of Palliative Medicine; by Todd D. Becker, Paul Duberstein, Elizabeth A. Luth, Sanjana Kumar, Samuel Nemeth, Kira Phillips, Veda Kota, Elissa Kozlov; 9/25 Nearly 9 in 10 patients in the United States who use medical aid in dying (MAID) are enrolled in hospice. Only 39 of 724 hospices (5.4%) published a public-facing MAID participation policy. Policy availability was low even within the two jurisdictions mandating hospice online publication (0 of 52 from New Mexico [0.0%]; 14 of 389 from California [3.6%]). Moreover, even when published, policy content was highly variable and often too vague to discern which MAID-related activities were permitted. For instance, 18 of 39 policies (46.2%) did not report whether or not physicians were permitted to prescribe MAID medication. The lack of availability and specificity in hospices’ public-facing MAID participation policies may jeopardize patient access to legal end-of-life care options.
From her hospice bed, Sister Grace Miller watches her new homeless shelter come to life
10/17/25 at 03:00 AMFrom her hospice bed, Sister Grace Miller watches her new homeless shelter come to life WXXI News NPR, Rochester, NY; by Gino Fanelli; 10/15/25 The last mission of Sister Grace Miller is set to come to life through a partnership with the Open Door Mission. La Madonna Della Strada, or “The Lady of the Streets,” will operate a new low-barrier overnight shelter for men on West Main Street. The shelter has capacity for up to 25 people. Folding cots dot the floor of the space in a grid, and the space also includes a full kitchen and bathrooms. The building’s signage reads “Sister Grace’s Homeless Shelter.” Miller, who currently is in hospice care, first announced plans to launch a new shelter in 2023 ...
LGBTQ+ history project: The need to preserve LGBTQ+ histories of rural America
10/15/25 at 03:00 AMLGBTQ+ history project: The need to preserve LGBTQ+ histories of rural America Watermark Out News; by Lauren Rowello; 10/14/25 ... Resources importantly emerged as people formally organized — bringing critical health care and hospice networks during the HIV/AIDS crisis, for instance, and launching LGBTQ+ voices into expansive advocacy careers. Across the US, some of the most impactful voices for change have come from rural regions. ... Editor's Note: For more on this interface with the birth of hospice care in the US, examine "The AIDS Epidemic’s Lasting Impact on Hospice Care for LGBTQ+ Populations," by Holly Vossel, Hospice News, 6/28/24. Pair these with today's post, "Inside the hospice that feels like home: How Omega House catches those who fall through the cracks."
What we get wrong about death, according to end-of-life workers
10/13/25 at 03:00 AMWhat we get wrong about death, according to end-of-life workers Yahoo Lifestyle, originally appeared on HuffPost; by Monica Torres; 10/10/25 The one big thing that people have in common is that we all will die, and we likely will experience the death of someone we love, too. ... That’s why it can help to hear the insights of people who see death all the time, because understanding it now can help us better process grief about others and feel more at ease when thinking about our own mortality. ...
Timing matters: Impact of early advance care planning conversations on hospice utilization in outpatient oncology
10/09/25 at 03:00 AMTiming matters: Impact of early advance care planning conversations on hospice utilization in outpatient oncologyJCO Oncology Practice, An American Society of Clinical Oncology Journal; by Lydia Mills, Malia Albin, Ami Gorsky-Zabukovic, Liz Hutchison, Molly Mendenhall, and Robyn Tibert; 10/7/25 Results: 53% of physicians interviewed defined [Advance Care Planning] ACP as hospice, end-of-life, or code status conversations. This group of providers preferred waiting to conduct ACP discussions until later in a patient’s disease trajectory. However, 33% of physicians interviewed viewed ACP as broader discussions, to include patients’ values, goals and preferences for EOL care. These physicians stated they engage in ACP conversations as early as the first or second visit, especially with patients who have Stage IV disease or have a poor prognosis, introducing hospice as a potential option and revisiting these discussions throughout the course of treatment. PI data showed that providers who engage in early and consistent ACP discussions have a 17% higher hospice enrollment rate compared to their peers.
Capturing the comfort and care of palliative care this World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
10/08/25 at 03:00 AM[South Africa] Capturing the comfort and care of palliative care this World Hospice and Palliative Care Day Good Things Guy, South Africa; by Nothando Mthembu; 10/7/25 It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and it is upon this very adage that the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) of South Africa has launched a powerful photographic campaign to capture the dignity, comfort and support that patients facing life-threatening illness receive and deserve through the provision of palliative healthcare services. With the hope of showcasing the impact of palliative care through real-life stories and images, the ‘Through the Palliative Care Lens’ campaign aligns with the theme for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025 (WHPCD2025): ‘Universal Access to Palliative Care’.
What is water cremation and why did Pa. lawmakers just back a bill to legalize it?
10/06/25 at 03:00 AMWhat is water cremation and why did Pa. lawmakers just back a bill to legalize it? LeighValleyLive.com, Leigh Valley, PA; by Lehigh Valley Community News; 10/5/25 The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation on Wednesday authorizing alkaline hydrolysis, commonly known as water cremation, as an approved cremation method in the state. The bill would give Pennsylvania families a more environmentally sustainable option for end-of-life services. Alkaline hydrolysis uses a mixture of water and alkali in a sealed pressurized steel chamber to reduce the body to bone, which is then processed into ash. The process consumes significantly less energy than traditional flame cremation, which requires temperatures exceeding 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Mayo Clinic, alkaline hydrolysis uses only about one-quarter of the energy required for flame cremation.
Grief etiquette in the digital age: Why waiting, listening, and respecting family wishes matters more than ever
10/06/25 at 03:00 AMGrief etiquette in the digital age: Why waiting, listening, and respecting family wishes matters more than ever National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) - Remembering a Life; by Dr. Camelia L. Clarke; 10/2/25When my nephew died unexpectedly, I was still reeling from the news when my phone began to buzz with notifications. Within an hour, his death was already circulating on social media. The world had found out before our family had even begun to process the loss, let alone notify our closest friends and relatives. I remember feeling overwhelmed, exposed, and, most of all, heartbroken—not just by the loss itself, but by how quickly and impersonally it became public knowledge. As a funeral director and grief educator for nearly thirty years, I’ve witnessed this scenario unfold countless times.
Doyel: I didn't know how strong and kind my special Mom was. Not until she started dying
10/02/25 at 03:00 AMDoyel: I didn't know how strong and kind my special Mom was. Not until she started dying. Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, IN; by Greg Doyle; 10/1/25 The last time we talked, I told my mom the truth: I’d missed just how wonderful she was. Make no mistake, I knew she was wonderful. Kind, considerate, strong – she checked all the best boxes. And generous? Mom’s the most generous person I’ve ever known, and I’ve known it for years. But I didn’t know just how generous she was. Not until she started dying. Didn’t know how strong she was, either. Not until she was so weak she couldn’t stand on her own two feet. That’s when I finally saw it. ...
Elizabeth Earley explores the fear of death in new essay collection
09/30/25 at 03:00 AMElizabeth Earley explores the fear of death in new essay collection SGN - Seattle & The Pacific Northwest's LGBTQIA+ News & Network; by Lindsey Anderson; 9/26/25 ... Humans often push the idea of death to the fringes of our minds, especially in Western cultures. However, for writer and clinical research scientist Elizabeth Earley, this topic contains multitudes as vast as the human experience. The more she studied the history and science of mortality, the more she found an underlying beauty, which inspired her latest work, Little Deaths All in a Row, a collection of prose diving deep into death. ... Realizing death is the inevitable end for us all, Earley decided to face her fear. "I believe the best way to get over fearing something is just to get closer to it and more intimate with it, so that's what I did," she said. She began volunteering in a hospice program as a form of exposure therapy.
6 Coloradans took to the Colorado River to grieve. What they found was a way to feel less alone.
09/30/25 at 03:00 AM6 Coloradans took to the Colorado River to grieve. What they found was a way to feel less alone. The Colorado Sun, Loma, CO; by Shannon Mullane; 9/28/25 Losing a loved one leaves people reeling. It forces the body to reconfigure deep bonds and impacts health. One Colorado River retreat aims to help people navigate. ... One by one, the members — all Colorado residents who ranged in age from their 40s to their 70s — shared their stories of death and grief. It was the start of a grief therapy retreat on the Colorado River, and the clients and crew members on the trip had lost parents, children and life partners. This moment was what they came for: a chance to open up space in their day-to-day lives to grieve. With other people who know what it’s like. Without having to act like they were holding it together. ... In their seven years of operation, Podmore and Pathfinders have offered about 20 grief retreats on the Colorado River for over 160 clients of all ages — including everyone from children to seniors — mostly from the Roaring Fork Valley in western Colorado.
Master gardeners in New Hampshire cultivate community and connection
09/30/25 at 03:00 AMMaster gardeners in New Hampshire cultivate community and connection ABC WMUR-9, Auburn, NH; by Erin Fehlau and Mary-Paige Provost; 9/26/25 On Thursday mornings at the New Hampshire Audubon's Massabesic Center in Auburn, dozens of volunteers from the University of New Hampshire Extension's Master Gardener Program can be found getting their hands dirty, welcoming visitors and sharing their gardening knowledge. ... One way master gardeners give back is by volunteering at therapy gardens, such as the Community Hospice House in Merrimack. ... "The house has been designed so that every room has a private patio, and the patients can be outside. The idea is to bring life into the rooms and honor the life cycle," master gardener Jean Abramson said.
New AAHPM CEO on ensuring widespread access to hospice and palliative care
09/26/25 at 03:15 AMNew AAHPM CEO on ensuring widespread access to hospice and palliative care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 9/25/25 Workforce, access to care, reimbursement and public policy are top agenda items for the A merican Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine as new CEO Pierre M. Désy takes the reins. ... Hospice News sat down with Désy to discuss the academy’s current priorities and the top issues facing hospice and palliative medicine. ... [Jim Parker] "Could you tell me some of your top priorities as you come into this new role?" [Dr. Pierre Désy] I have been focusing on listening and alignment. So the first part is a listening tour and relationship building tour, where I’m talking with every board member, one on one. I’m talking with committee chairs, council chairs. I’m speaking with all of our partners, every staff person, sponsors and individual donors.