Literature Review

Hospice and students 'break taboos' in podcast BBC News, Staffordshire, United Kingdom; by Aida Fofana; 5/26/26 A university and hospice charity have collaborated to launch a podcast, aiming to break the taboo around death and dying by discussing grief and hospice care. Birmingham City University (BCU) students and St Giles Hospice in Staffordshire created the Dying to Tell You Something podcast, featuring guests including volunteers, fundraisers and the hospice's director of clinical services, Leon Ratcliffe.

What misconceptions do people have about hospice care What's Next? - Buffalo*Toronto Public Media | PBS; by Kelley Clem; 5/20/26Many people associate hospice care with the final days of life, but healthcare advocates say there are still major misconceptions surrounding both hospice and palliative care. On this episode of What’s Next?, Kelley Clem of Hospice Buffalo and Palliative Care Buffalo explains the differences between the two forms of care and why early intervention can improve quality of life for patients living with chronic illness. She also discusses how palliative care helps manage symptoms at any stage of illness, while hospice focuses on comfort and support during the final months of life, including emotional and spiritual care for families.

Redwood Newsmakers: Hospice of Humboldt Palliative Care Program Redwood News; by Ross Rowley; 5/20/26 We’re here with Karen Ayres, nurse practitioner with Hospice of Humboldt, talking about home-based palliative care and the growing need for these services here in our community. Hospice of Humboldt started this program in 2022. ... “So we started this service called home-based palliative care,” she said. “While we are part of Hospice of Humboldt, we are one of the services they offer. We’re not hospice care, we’re palliative care. ..."

In HelloNation, hospice care expert Cindy Mensik of Texas City, TX, highlights the differences between hospice & home health care PR Newswire, Texas City, TX; by HelloNation; 5/18/26 What are the key differences between hospice care and home health care, and how can families choose the right option? That question is explored in a HelloNation article featuring insights from Cindy Mensik of Better Care Matters. The article helps families in the Clear Lake and League City, TX, areas understand the goals of care behind each service, and how those goals shape both timing and outcomes.

Mercy film starts dialogue on end-of-life care and dignity in dying The News Mill; 4/21/26 Director Mitul Patel revealed that his film ‘Mercy’ draws inspiration from actor Paresh Rawal’s account of his mother’s prolonged illness and coma, shared during an interview. This real-life story shaped the film’s exploration of end-of-life decisions and moral conflict. Patel told ANI, “As a writer, I look for conflicts in stories. I couldn’t find a bigger conflict than this where a son has to face this choice of letting go of his mother. ... “It will be better when we talk about mortality openly. End of life care, dignity in dying. We will start a conversation about all this. This is the goal of the movie.”

8 years later, Ohio takes another look at ‘medical aid in dying.’ Will this time be different? Cleveland.com, Columbus, OH; by Mary Frances McGown; 4/26/26 Eight years after similar legislation stalled at the Statehouse, Ohio lawmakers are again weighing whether terminally ill residents should be able to determine the timing of their death. Rep. Eric Synenberg this week introduced legislation to legalize “medical aid in dying” in Ohio, allowing mentally competent adults with a terminal diagnosis and six months or less to live to hasten their deaths by taking a lethal dose of medication prescribed by a physician. ... Recent public polling has shown that most Americans are open to medical aid in dying, and advocates say that public education on the subject has improved since the last legislative battle. Yet opposition to such legislation is also strong, particularly among the religious.

Woman indicted for mother's death turns tragedy into advocacy WJBF-6 ABC News, Augusta, GA; by Kim Vickers; 4/16/26 A woman is speaking out after she was indicted last year for the death of her mother. Rachel Waters gave her mother morphine provided by a hospice company, which authorities believed led to the woman’s death. Six months later, the charges were dropped. Now, Waters is turning her experience into something positive. ... Foster was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and bone cancer and eventually her oncologist recommended home hospice care. The hospice company prescribed an end-of-life care kit for Waters to use when Foster needed it. End-of-life care kits contain several drugs specific to the patient’s needs, including liquid morphine. We spoke to several Hospice nurses who told us they are commonly prescribed to families and caregivers to administer to their loved one.

What to do when a dying friend refuses contact Times.News; by Sofia Alvarez; 4/13/26 The experience of facing a terminal illness is often framed as a time for reconciliation and the strengthening of bonds. However, for some patients, the reality is a profound retreat from the world. When a dying friend refuses contact from friends, it creates a complex emotional vacuum for those left behind, who must balance their desire to provide support with the need to respect a patient’s autonomy. This tension often manifests as a “silent goodbye,” where the dying individual chooses isolation over the emotional labor of maintaining relationships. 

[Canada] How do children think about death? A narrative review of historical and recent developmental perspectives examining children's understanding of deathClinical Child Psychology & Psychiatry; by  Zachary D Fry, Adrianna Mendrek, Lia Gieg, Terra Léger-Goodes, David Lefrançois, Jonathan Smith, Nathalie Maltais, Marie-Claude Geoffroy, Marc-André Éthier, Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise; 3/26This review sought to clarify what children understand about death and how they come to learn about it. Findings suggest that children develop an understanding of death through several key components across childhood. This knowledge may be acquired naturally through cognitive development and can also be shaped by direct exposure (e.g., the death of a loved one or pet) and/or indirect experiences (e.g., media depictions). When learned indirectly and without guidance, there is an increased risk of children formulating inaccurate or distressing attitudes toward death. Building on these insights, we offer developmentally adapted approaches for supporting children's understanding of death within pedagogical settings.

Students provide a lifeline for dementia caregiver Lovin' Life; by Lin Sue Flood; 4/5/26 When ASU junior Emily-Jane Crawford finishes her classes and homework, she travels to Glendale to visit a very special friend. Bud Addison is 81 years old, and despite his dementia, Emily-Jane’s visits are the highlight of his week. ... This connection is the heart of RISE (Respite in Student Engagement), a unique partnership between Arizona State University and Hospice of the Valley. The program matches students interested in health care careers with families caring for loved ones with dementia.

National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) — April 16 The Conversation Project - Institute for Healthcare Improvement; retrieved from the internet 4/3/26National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) exists to inspire, educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning.

New program and book examine best practices around end-of-life care for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD) Hospice Foundation of America, Washington, DC; by Lisa Veglahn;3/25/26 Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) will present its 33rd annual Living with Grief® educational program, Best Practices in Hospice Care for Advanced Dementia, addressing optimal care for the fastest growing segment of the hospice population. The program will be held live via Zoom on April 14, 2026, from noon—2 pm ET. According to the National Institutes of Health, researchers estimate that 42% of Americans over the age of 55 will at some point develop a form of dementia, all of which are terminal illnesses. ... In addition to the upcoming program, HFA has published a new volume of scholarly and personal work, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: A Guide for Hospice Clinicians, edited by Kenneth J. Doka and Amy S. Tucci. The book offers valuable insights and practical approaches to delivering compassionate, person-centered end-of-life care to individuals with dementia and their loved ones. Editor's Note: Hospice Foundation of America has long defined standards for hospice education, and once again leads at a pivotal moment as dementia impacts Baby Boomers' end-of-life care. From their early satellite broadcasts that convened clinicians nationwide to today’s expansive reach, HFA has consistently translated complexity into practical, practice-changing insight. This work challenges us not only to learn, but to lead—bringing greater clarity, skill, and compassion to those living with dementia and those who walk beside them.

Gone from my sight: Barbara Karnes on what happens in the final days of life | part one Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Barbara Karnes; 3/25/26 Drawing from over four decades of bedside experience, Barbara shares how Hospice Care began as a movement outside the traditional medical model, rooted not in treating disease, but in caring for people and their families during life’s most vulnerable moments.  Her insights challenge modern healthcare to return to a more human-centered approach—one that prioritizes presence, education, and compassion.