Literature Review

Improv for Caregivers receives a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts EINPressWire; by A. A. Cristi; 9/23/24 The New London Barn Playhouse received an arts in health grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts to continue and expand their Improv for Caregivers program through a larger umbrella program titled “Improv for a Cause.” “Improv for a Cause” will encompass two communication programs that use a similar process to reach different communities. The first, Improv for Caregivers, in partnership with Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice, is an ongoing communication workshop series for those who care for loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer's. ... Each improv workshop session combines insight from healthcare professionals with improvisational theatre techniques, with a goal of developing new communication skills, strategies to cope with stress, flexibility in relationships, and an understanding of loved ones' changing perspectives. With guidance from the VNA and caregivers in the community, the team of actors prepare short scenarios that portray situations caregivers commonly face, such as sundowning, taking away car keys, collaborating with care staff, and hallucinations. ...

Guidelines for supporting the dying and their families Psychiatric Times; by Ken Druck, PhD; 9/19/24 There are few subjects that most of us, including those who work in mental health, avoid more than death and dying. Meeting the needs of the dying and their families requires a deep and clear understanding of competent and compassionate care for health care professionals and caregivers. Since the death of my 21-year-old daughter several decades ago, I have had the honor and privilege of helping countless individuals, families, and communities that have suffered losses. I have also been given the opportunity to teach and train mental health professionals and developed several programs and guidelines for supporting the dying and their families. My top 7 guidelines to share with patients and their families are as follows:

The persistent stigma attached to dementia encourages denial InForum; by Carol Bradley Bursack; 9/14/24 Dear Carol: ... At age 70, I was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Theoretically, that diagnosis means that I have a few more memory glitches than normal for my age. A percentage of people with MCI will develop Alzheimer’s disease, but not all. Yet, some family members treat me like I shouldn’t make decisions beyond what I want for dinner. ...Dear Al: The stigma attached to mental illness, cognitive decline, and even aging, illustrates widespread ignorance of facts. The more people like you speak up the better the future will be for others. ... For now, work on educating your family about MCI.  ... Here's a start: 

Simon Boas’ ‘inspirational’ book A Beginner’s Guide to Dying is published posthumously Jersey Evening Post; by Rod McLoughlin; 9/13/24 Friends and family of the late Simon Boas gathered ... to celebrate the posthumous publication of his book, A Beginner’s Guide to Dying. The former Jersey Overseas Aid chief executive – who died from throat cancer on 15 July at the age of 47 – spent his last months developing into a book ideas first explored in articles for the Jersey Evening Post. Described by the Daily Mail as “an inspirational paean to the joy of life”, Mr Boas’ words reached a huge audience after they were reprinted in the national press and broadcast on the BBC’s Today programme. A proportion of the proceeds are being donated to the African Palliative Care Association and the International Children’s Palliative Care Network. Mr Boas’ inspiring writings in the face of his terminal diagnosis saw him awarded the Bailiff’s Silver Medal in May. Shortly before his death, he also received a personal letter from the King and Queen ahead of their visit to Jersey.

Marshall medical students volunteer for Day of Service CBS WOWK-13 News, Huntington, WV; by Jessica Patterson; 9/11/24 On a day of reflecting and honoring lives lost to a horrific tragedy, people across the country are commemorating the services and sacrifices people made on Sept. 11, 2001, by volunteering in their communities. According to AmeriCorps, America’s National Day of Service and Remembrance is designed to honor and commemorate the heroes of 9/11 including armed forces, first responders, volunteers and countless others, for their acts of service during the terror attacks and in the aftermath. In Huntington, some college students are stepping up to do their part in the local community. Residents from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine General Surgery Program spent the day volunteering at a local hospice house. The Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice Facility welcomed all the students’ hard work helping to prepare the grounds and gardens for the end of summer. “They are here today to help beautify and plant flowers here at our inpatient unit, the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House, which is part of Hospice of Huntington,” said Melanie Hall, Hospice of Huntington president and CEO.

Why so many patients are confused about CPR and do-not-resuscitate orders STAT; by Lindsey Ulin; 9/11/24 Inherently difficult conversations are made more so by a lack of physician training. When a patient is admitted to the hospital in the U.S., there’s a standard question physicians like me are supposed to ask: “If your heart stops beating, do you want us to do CPR?” On the surface, this may seem like a mechanic asking a customer, “If your car stalls, do you want us to jumpstart the engine?” Who would say no to this, especially in a hospital? The problem is that this exchange, which we call asking about “code status” in medicine, centers around a closed-ended question. Talking to a patient about their preferences for cardiac resuscitation, intubation, and/or other life-sustaining treatments needs to be a complete, often lengthy discussion, not just a box to check. ...

Death Cafe' creates safe space to talk about death, dying and beyond in Missoula KPAX-8 Missoula & Western Montana; by Jill Valley; 9/5/24 Sometimes, the most important conversations we can have involve topics we don’t really want to talk about — such as money, politics, or death. We recently went to have coffee with a group of people who are talking about some of life’s scariest issues. It was the last Thursday in August and about a dozen people were enjoying coffee and talking about death. This is Death Café. Maurika Moore — the CEO and owner of Hestia Advantage, a locally-owned hospice and palliative care provider — told MTN, “I think it’s something we all want to talk about but don’t often get to." The Death Café was founded decades ago. Now, there are meetings worldwide to create a safe space to talk about all aspects of death and dying. Its objective is "to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their (finite) lives."

World Alzheimer's Month: September 2024 Alzheimer's Disease International, London, UK and Lincolnshire, IL, USA; retrieved from the internet 8/26/24Each September, people unite from all corners of the world to raise awareness and to challenge the stigma that persists around Alzheimer's disease and all types of dementia.  ... The 2024 World Alzheimer's Month will centre around the taglines 'Time to act on dementia, Time to act on Alzheimer's.' ...  Editor's Note: Click here for Alzheimer's Disease Internationals' 2024 campaign theme materials. Click here for the Alzheimer's Association in your USA location.

“What I wish I knew about dementia”: A caregiving only child’s experience The Healthy; by Dr. Patricia Varacallo, DO; 8/20/24 It's no secret dementia affects the brain of the patient, and tests the hearts of their loved ones. Through one woman's personal journey, experts advise on the emotional, medical, and financial aspects of caregiving for dementia. ... Drawing from Ann’s caregiving journey and insights from Dr. Wint and Lucille Carriere, PhD, Cleveland Clinic Angie Ruvo Endowed Caregiving Chair, we share their collective wisdom on what they wish more people knew about dementia.

3 keys to palliative care marketing Hospice News; by Jennifer Murtoff; 8/16/24 While palliative care is an important part of medical care for many patients and providers, marketing messaging for these services must be carefully crafted. ... Given the rampant misconceptions about palliative care, education is an essential component of a marketing strategy, including for patients and families, referral partners and payers. A key point is to distinguish palliative care from hospice, according to Tony Kudner, chief strategy officer for Transcend Strategy Group. ... [Marketers] need to educate patients, family members, and payers as to the specific suite of services their organizations offer and how they can benefit patients. 

Signs that cognitive changes are worrisome —and what you can do about it CU Anschutz (Colorado University) Department of Medicine; by Tayler Shaw; 7/26/24 ... As a geriatrician and palliative medicine physician, Hillary Lum, MD, PhD, has spent her career working to better the lives of older adults and their families, often raising awareness about what cognitive decline can look like and when it is concerning. She is currently involved in the Colorado Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias State Plan, a state initiative to improve awareness and actions to address dementia in Colorado, specifically looking at how to build a competent workforce related to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.  We recently sat down with Lum ... to talk about what cognitive decline is, symptoms to look out for, and how people can best protect their brain health.  

Palliative care training initiative launches to improve quality among incarcerated populations Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 7/12/24 The California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation’s Medical Facility (CMF) has launched a new palliative spiritual care training program aimed at improving services for incarcerated individuals. The new two-week spiritual training program was recently provided to palliative care service workers and volunteers to assist CMF’s clinical and nursing staff caring for patients at the facility’s hospice, correctional treatment center and memory care units. A dozen trainees recently completed the program, with CMF planning to provide an annual refresher course to all of its palliative care service workers, according to California Correctional Health Care Services CEO Joseph Garland. 

Hospice Palliative Care Society launches Rec Room Programs Prince George Citizen, British Columbia, Canada; by Citizen staff; 7/2/24 The Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society (PGHPCS) is offering  new  Rec Room Programs, furthering the organization’s commitment to expanding hospice services for the community. This new addition aligns with the strategic goal of creating a space for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, their caregivers, and those grieving. The Rec Room is dedicated to promoting healing and wellness through meaningful connections and tangible support. Programs offered include: