Literature Review

A scoping review on aphasia and technology: Exploring mechanisms enhancing quality of lifeQuality of Life Research; by Grace E. Terry, Cassondra Wilson, Gillian Anderson, Stacy M. Harnish; 1/26 People with aphasia are at an increased risk for reduced quality of life (QoL) because of their change in communication abilities. The present study aims to review the current evidence supporting assistive technology as a tool to improve QoL for people with aphasia, while investigating the various mechanisms technology may impact that lead to increased QoL for people with aphasia. This review emphasizes the role mechanisms such as self-management, social interaction, and virtual communication play in improving QoL for people with aphasia, while emphasizing the role technology plays in impacting the function of these mechanisms.  However, for this assistive technology to be impactful, it must be person centered and thoroughly trained based on the current body of evidence.

Many patients with advanced blood cancers delay hospice to keep access to blood transfusionManaged Healthcare Executive; by Briana Contreras; 2/4/26Key Takeaways:

How to responsibly use AI in palliative care and hematologic malignancies CancerNetwork; podcast by Ram Prakash Thirugnanasambandam, MBBS; 2/2/26 In a conversation with CancerNetwork®, Ram Prakash Thirugnanasambandam, MBBS, discussed the evolving roles that artificial intelligence (AI)–based tools may play in palliative care and the management of different hematologic malignancies. ... According to Thirugnanasambandam, implementing AI into one’s workflow may help accurately predict disease subtypes and burdens among patients with leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma. ... Thirugnanasambandam also discussed some of the ethical considerations surrounding the growth of AI-based tools, highlighting information privacy concerns and potentially biased datasets as notable issues with these platforms. Although AI may assist with decision-making, Thirugnanasambandam stated that it ultimately cannot replace a human’s nuanced clinical judgment and empathy.

Drivers of disease-specific end-of-life disparities Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 1/30/26 ... Racial and ethnic disparities persist among underserved patient populations with dementia, who have a stronger likelihood of dying without awareness or access to hospice, recent research has found. Clinicians may play a vital role in moving the needle forward. Nearly 260, 000 Black, Hispanic and white Medicare decedents with dementia-related conditions were recently examined in a new study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Health Forum.  Editor's Note: We posted this study in our Saturday Research newsletter, 12/27/25, End-of-life care for older adults with dementia by race and ethnicity and physicians’ role. This article gives more practical descriptions and applications for its results.

Integrating psychiatric and hospice services: Legal and clinical considerations for involuntary commitment in multimorbid end-of-life care American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Ilana Marmershteyn, BS, Darian Peters, BS, Victor Milev, BS, Mario Jacomino, MD, MPH, and George Luck, MD, FAAHPM; 1/28/26  Multimorbid patients at the end-of-life face complex medical, psychosocial, and psychiatric challenges. Hospice care aims to address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs; however, psychiatric comorbidities, particularly acute crises, remain under-recognized and inconsistently managed. The intersection of psychiatric intervention, hospice care, and legal frameworks such as involuntary commitment presents significant clinical and ethical challenges.

Stroke survivors in DFW find new hope with Sovereign Hospice Home Care Holliston Town News, Aubrey, TX; by Sovereign Hospice; 1/26/26 Stroke survivors and their families often encounter unexpected challenges ... Sovereign Hospice in Aubrey, Texas, addresses these complex needs through targeted palliative care programs designed specifically for post-stroke complications. ... Post-stroke pain affects approximately 30% of survivors, manifesting as headaches, muscle spasticity, or neuropathic sensations. Fatigue represents another common issue, with many patients reporting exhaustion after minimal activity. Depression occurs in roughly one-third of stroke survivors, creating additional barriers to recovery. 

10 things I learned after 10 years with ovarian cancer Cure; by Kelly Irvin; 1/22/26 My birthday was January 20. ...  I received my stage 4 ovarian cancer diagnosis on Jan. 16, 2016. ... So here I am still alive ten years later on my 68th birthday. ... I feel I’m allowed to share what I wish my younger self had known when I received my diagnosis. Counting down to number one, here are my lessons learned:

Palliative care in pediatric phase I oncology trials: A scoping reviewPediatric Blood & Cancer; by Andrea Cuviello, Harisankeerth Mummareddy, Alanis N. Gomez Martinez, Holly Spraker-Perlman, Allison Uber, Jordan Wrigley, Erica C. Kaye; 12/25Clinical trials, particularly Phase I trials that test drug safety and feasibility, are imperative to advance outcomes for children with cancer. These trials, however, pose risks for increased symptom burden and suffering. Early integration of palliative care (PC) during Phase I trial enrollment offers a potential reduction in suffering and improvement in quality of life.  PC integration was associated with earlier hospice enrollment, increased home and hospice deaths, decreased hospitalizations and intensive care unit utilization, improved care coordination, and better symptom management. 

Expanding the boundaries of palliative care: Diseases of the nervous system and survival prognosis in home-based programsAmerican Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine; by Mônica Isaura Corrêa, Igor de Oliveira Claber Siqueira, Sonia  Souza, Eduardo Bruera, Ana Paula Drummond-Lage; 12/25Home-based palliative care (HBPC) is increasingly recognized as an essential strategy for managing patients with non-oncologic and life-limiting conditions. However, prognostic factors influencing survival in this population remain underexplored. Diseases of the nervous system (DNS) were the most frequent referral diagnoses [in this study] (32.3%). Patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias demonstrated longer survival than those with other DNS or no DNS diagnoses ... While PPS [Palliative Performance Scale] remains a useful tool, its discriminatory capacity was modest, underscoring the need for refined prognostic models in non-oncologic palliative care.

Agrace announces revolutionary dementia village: America's first Hogeweyk-inspired community redefining memory care PR Newswire, Madison, WI; by Agrace; 1/20/26 Agrace ... today announced plans to build the Ellen & Peter Johnson Dementia Village at Agrace, the first Hogeweyk-inspired dementia care community of its kind in the United States. ... Breaking ground this spring, the $40 million project represents a complete reimagining of dementia care in America, drawing inspiration from the Netherlands' internationally acclaimed Hogeweyk Dementia Village—a model that has set a new global standard for supporting people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. ... Traditional memory care has long focused on safety and clinical oversight—priorities that matter deeply to families and caregivers alike. Yet many of these settings—shaped by institutional design and medical frameworks—can unintentionally narrow autonomy, spontaneity, and connection to ordinary life. 

Neuropalliative care in movement disordersContinuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology; by Benzi M Kluger; 12/25Over the past decade, significant progress has been made to advance palliative care approaches for patients with Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. This population has significant palliative care needs that are poorly met under traditional models of care, including nonmotor symptom management, advance care planning, psychosocial support, spiritual and existential support, care partner support, and timely referrals for specialist and end-of-life palliative care (hospice). Clinical trials demonstrate that specialist palliative care can improve many patient and family outcomes. Neurologists can use the five-pillars framework (nonmotor symptoms, advance care planning, psychosocial and spiritual support, care partner support, and timely involvement of specialist palliative care) to systematically address common sources of suffering that are poorly recognized in traditional models of care. This framework can be integrated into previsit screening forms and note templates to improve the detection of palliative issues.