Literature Review

PARC Retreat explores how aging, workforce strains, and federal debt are reshaping U.S. health care Penn LDI - Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics; by Hoag Levins; 5/13/26 Penn Gathering of Experts Examines the Growing Pressures Facing Older Americans In predicting the future of U.S. health care, it is important to recognize that the long-term health of the population depends not just on medical policy, innovation, or care delivery, but on whether the federal government can sustainably finance the systems that pay for that care, Penn Wharton School Professor and national budget expert Kent Smetters, PhD, told the May 1, 2026 Penn Population Aging Research Center Annual Retreat. 

Association for Death Education and Counseling celebrates 50 years of advancing grief education and end-of-life understanding ADEC - Association for Death Education and Counseling; Press Release; 4/9/26 The Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC®), The Thanatology Association®, is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of leadership in the interdisciplinary study of death, dying, and bereavement. ... Looking toward the future, ADEC envisions a world in which dying, death, and bereavement are recognized as fundamental aspects of the human experience rather than topics hidden from public conversation. The organization continues to expand its international reach and public engagement. Through initiatives such as the 50 Futures Global Fund, ADEC will support the distribution of digital grief education resources, training opportunities, and micro-grants to communities around the world.

Staying connected: A longitudinal, multisite, interprofessional rural fellowship collaborationJournal of Pain & Symptom Management; by Rhianon R. Liu, Rebecca N. Hutchinson, Stephen H. Berns, Nastasha Stitham, Jackie Fournier, John W. Wax MD , Lisa A. Stephens, Jonathan S. Jolin, Maxwell T. Vergo; 11/25Four interprofessional Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) fellowship programs in rural northern New England states created an in-person educational retreat series. The goal of the series was to maximize shared educational resources and foster community amongst faculty and fellows, in an upstream attempt to improve recruitment/retention of clinicians in three rural states with inadequate access to specialty palliative care. At least 88% of fellows rated the retreats effective in strengthening their clinical, communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. Over four-fifths of faculty and fellows felt the retreats increased their sense of belonging and decreased professional isolation. The retreats were a top factor influencing fellowship choice for 29% of fellows, as well as a major incentive to remain practicing in the region for 32% of faculty.

Gerontological nursing essentials for BSN students: Meeting aging population needs Nevada State | RN to BSN; 10/9/25 An aging population is transforming healthcare delivery, and nurses are increasingly called to address the complex needs of older adults. For students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), learning the essentials of gerontological nursing provides the foundation to deliver compassionate, effective care. This specialty emphasizes not only clinical expertise but also communication, cultural competence, and advocacy for patient dignity. Explore what defines this field, the role of an adult gerontology nurse practitioner, and the pathways available to see how they can shape the future of elder care. Editor's Note: How is your organization supporting career growth for all staff members? While this article focuses on the RN-to-BSN pathway with a gerontological nursing emphasis, consider expanding professional development opportunities across your entire workforce—clinical and non-clinical alike. For example: 

A natural segue: Retired hospice physician Ralph Caldroney ’72 turns a planned gift into immediate impact with new lecture sponsorship W&L - The Columns, Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA; by Barbara Elliott; 9/15/25 [Dr. Ralph Caldrony, retired medical director for Hospice of Rockbridge County,] attended several Mudd Center lectures during this past year’s series: “How We Live and Die: Stories, Values and Communities.” ... Impressed by the range and quality of the Mudd Center presentations [at Washington & Lee University], Caldroney previously committed a $250,000 planned gift to the center for his 50th reunion gift in 2022. However, after such a positive experience attending this year’s lecture series, he decided to fast-track his support. For each of the next five years, his $5,000 per-year gift will sponsor an annual lecture. “It was a natural segue,” Caldroney says. “This way, I can enjoy some of the fruits of my labor while I am still alive.”

NPHI opens 10th Annual Summit in Las Vegas, celebrating a decade of impact National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI)m Washington, DC; Press Release; 4/29/25The 10th Annual Summit of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) officially kicks off this morning, April 29, at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas. This milestone Summit, themed “A Decade of Impact,” brings together hospice and palliative care leaders from across the nation to celebrate ten years of remarkable achievements and to explore the innovative strategies that will drive the future of high-quality, community-based care. ... Key topics include advancing policy solutions to prevent fraud and abuse in hospice, harnessing artificial intelligence to improve care, exploring international hospice, elevating outreach and communications, and strengthening the quality and consistency of services across the board. During the summit, NPHI will also debut a newly developed Cancer Clinical Provider Guide—designed to help members deliver the highest standards of cancer care. ... “As we mark a decade of impact, this summit is not only a time to reflect on the extraordinary progress we’ve made, but an opportunity to be forward thinking and anticipating what comes next,” said Tom Koutsoumpas, NPHI CEO. [NPHI is a sponsor of our newsletter.]

Understanding the role of Learning & Development in employee well-being Today Headline - Education News; 5/21/24... The Connection Between Learning and Well-Being: Learning and Development programs [L&D] are often associated with upskilling, reskilling, and career advancement. But their potential extends far beyond professional growth. Learning can have a positive impact on employee well-being, too. When employees are engaged in continuous learning and skill development, their overall sense of well-being improves significantly. ... [The] role of L&D in employee well-being. ...