Literature Review

HHS cuts pose threat to older Americans' health and safety Newsweek; by Kristin Lees Haggerty and Scott Bane - The National Collaboratory to Address Elder Mistreatment at Education Development Center (EDC); The John A. Hartford Foundation; 4/17/2 On March 27, 2025, the federal government announced major cuts to the department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ... Sounding the Alarm for Elder Justice: The population of older adults is rapidly growing, and one in 10 experience abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation—a risk that is even higher for those living with dementia. ... Cutting services to older adults will increase these risks and costs. Moreover, ... 11.5 million family and friend caregivers provide over 80 percent of help needed for people living with dementia in the U.S. Without access to services like Meal on Wheels, adult day care, and respite care, we can expect caregiver burden and strain to increase significantly and with it, rates of elder abuse, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and nursing home placements. We know this because of the abuse spike seen clearly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which doubled to over 20 percent of older adults, as services were limited, and older adults were socially isolated. HHS cuts are also likely to result in loss of specialized expertise in identifying and addressing elder mistreatment, so that when elder abuse does occur, we won't have the services to stop it and make sure it won't happen again.

Strong social connections improve older adults’ well-being regardless of setting, study finds McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Donna Shryer; 4/7/25 Social connections, trust in others in their community and community cohesion significantly improve elderly well-being whether seniors live at home or in nursing facilities, according to a new comparative study published in BMC Public Health. However, researchers found that nursing home residents generally reported lower subjective well-being compared to their community-dwelling counterparts, even after accounting for health status and demographic factors. ... According to the authors, these findings “indicate the necessity for tailored interventions that address the unique needs of each care environment to promote healthier aging experiences. [Continue reading ...]

Practical tools and heartfelt hope: How Nancy Y Treaster is empowering dementia caregivers worldwide Thrive Global; by Stacey Chillemi; 4/2/25 In this empowering interview, dementia care expert Nancy Y Treaster shares practical strategies, emotional insights, and vital resources to help family caregivers navigate the challenges of caregiving with confidence and compassion. ...

Federal legislation would mandate hospice education upon hospital discharge McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 4/2/25 A bill under consideration in Congress would require hospitals to educate patients about hospice care options upon discharge. HR 2437, introduced Thursday by Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN), would amend Medicare policy to mandate that hospitals “provide information on available hospice programs to certain individuals upon discharge,” according to the bill. Although hospitals are not necessarily required to provide patients with information on available hospice programs upon discharge, they are encouraged to do so. [Continue reading ...]

What is death positivity? Healthline; by Sarah Choi, medically reviewed by Joslyn Jelinek, LCSW, ACSW, RDDP; 3/28/25 Death positivity involves acknowledging death as simply the final phase of life. It emphasizes open discussions around death and education on the options, rights, and choices surrounding it. ... The Death Positivity Movement was coined in 2011 by funeral director Caitlin Doughty, but the sentiment existed long before — the movement’s origins date back to the 1970s, drawing on the hospice movement. ... Elements of the Death Positivity Movement:

Stetson University professor joins millions of Americans as she embraces caregiver role for her aging parents Spectrum News 13, Orlando/Deland, FL; by Nicole Griffin and Devin Martin; 3/31/25 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 10 million Americans act as unpaid caregivers for an elderly parent on a regular basis. Millions in that group not only have a full- or part-time job, they are also part of the so-called “sandwich generation” — people who find themselves supporting their children and parents at the same time. ... Stetson University professor Wendy Anderson is part of that group. ... She has moved in with her parents to help care for her elderly father and mother, who is in at-home hospice care. [Continue reading ...]

Thompson Scholars and AdventHealth host successful Health Equity Health Fair AdventHealth Manchester, Manchester, KY; by Christina Couch; 3/25/25 The Thompson Scholars Foundation and AdventHealth are proud to announce the successful completion of the Health Equity Health Fair held [March 24] ... in Manchester, KY. With over 250 participants, the event brought together medical professionals, community representatives, and attendees to address health disparities and promote wellness within the community. The Health Equity Health Fair featured a wide range of activities and resources, including: ... Hospice Care ...

Trellis Supportive Care to host day of support for caregiversThe Chronicle, Winston-Salem, NC; by WS Chronicle; 3/22/25 Trellis Supportive Care is hosting a day of support for caregivers, free of charge and open to the public.  The program, “Caring for You: A Day of Support for Family Caregivers,” is set for Friday, April 4, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness in Winston-Salem. This full-day program is both a retreat and educational day for caregivers. “We understand that caregivers are often unable to attend events such as this, therefore, we are removing that barrier,” shared Jacob Gordon, director of community programming with Trellis Supportive Care. For those responsible for caring for an adult family member, Trellis is arranging respite care in coordination with local partner agencies so that caregivers can attend.   ... “We hope this provides an opportunity for people to regroup, rejuvenate, and leave with valuable tips for moving forward as a caregiver,” shared Gordon.   

The Stanford Letter Project helps you discuss your end-of-life wishesKALW 91.7 FM - Your Call, Bay Area, CA; by Rose Aguilar and Nina Kissinger; 3/18/25 On this edition of Your Call, we discuss the importance of conversations, letters, and advance directives in communicating your end-of-life care wishes to loved ones and doctors. Although 92 percent of US adults say it's important to discuss their end-of-life care wishes, only 32 percent have had this conversation, and less than one-third have advanced-care directives in place. ... The Stanford Letter Project was designed to give you the tools you need to start the process. Dr. VJ Periyakoil, the founder and director of the project, shares her insights into making end-of-life care plans and resources to help guide you through the process. ... Resources [with links to the content]:

End-of-life conversations: ‘When they open the door, you have to go in’ Oncology Nursing News; by Pattie Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN; 3/13/25Oncology nurses have a unique relationship with patients that allows for difficult but essential end-of-life conversations, says expert Patricia Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN. Jakel, one of the editors in chief of Oncology Nursing News, emphasized that following up with patients and ascertaining what answers and support they need comes with the close bonds that oncology nurses form with patients with cancer. ... [Jakel describes:] We play a really important role. And sometimes patients ask us difficult questions, and we have to be prepared for it. I remember a lovely young patient I had, she had 2 little girls, and she was very sick. And things weren’t going well for her in the hospital, and she just—she looked up at me and she said, "Am I dying today?" And I thought, "She’s opening the door. She needs to have this conversation.” And I said, “It’s not going to be today, but I think it’s going to be soon.” And she kind of chuckled, because her sister was at the bedside, and she said to her sister, “I need my makeup done. I want my makeup on today, if today’s not the day.” And that took us to a whole conversation about what dying would look like for her.Editor's note: Read and share this significant, sensitive video/article from its source, Oncology Nursing News. What communication education and support do you provide for your nurses? Explore this similar article from Oncology Nursing News, "APPs, Oncologists Work Together for End-of-Life Discussions," 11/2/24.

The 1 truly difficult part about being a caregiver that often gets overlooked HuffPost; by Kimberley Richards; 3/13/25 Emma Heming Willis, wife of actor Bruce Willis, recently talked about the needs of caregivers on social media. Experts share what to know about the vital role. ... Among the different ways society may overlook the various caregiving experiences, there’s one aspect of it that isn’t often talked about: Many times it’s an “invisible” job. ... Hemings Willis’ post sparked conversations online about caregivers and the many struggles that come with it. And experts say perhaps one of the most isolating is the issue of “invisibility. ... She said that caregiving is often seen as a “family duty,” which prevents it from “being recognized as a broader issue requiring systemic attention.” “This view is often compounded by gendered expectations, where women are traditionally expected to take on caregiving roles, leading to feelings of guilt and pressure when they seek assistance,” she said. “The lack of formal policies ... only deepens the invisibility of this vital role, making it even harder for caregivers to balance their responsibilities with their own well-being.”

Partners In Care hosts A Year to Live book discussion group starting April 5 Cascasde Business News; by CBN; 3/11/25 The Bereavement Department in conjunction with leadership at Partners In Care is hosting a community group to explore messaging in Stephen Levine’s book A Year to Live through a series of monthly sessions in 2025 and early 2026. In A Year to Live, Stephen Levine, author of the perennial bestseller Who Dies? teaches us how to live each moment, each hour, and each day mindfully—as if it were all that was left. On his deathbed, Socrates exhorted his followers to practice dying as the highest form of wisdom. Levine decided to live this way himself for an entire year, and now he shares with us how such immediacy radically changes our view of the world and forces us to examine our priorities.