Literature Review

Digital twins give cyber defenders a predictive edge siliconANGLE.com; by Isla Sibanda; 9/13/25 The front line of cybersecurity has always been uneven. Attackers innovate with speed, testing new exploits daily, while defenders struggle to keep up with outdated playbooks. What enterprises lack isn’t more tools — it’s foresight.  Digital twins, virtual replicas that learn and evolve in real time, are giving security teams a way to see threats before they strike. For the first time, organizations can stage tomorrow’s attacks today, turning defense from a reaction into a rehearsal. 

Hosparus Health breaks ground on region’s first standalone hospice care center Hosparus Health; Press Release; 9/16/25 Hosparus Health proudly announces the groundbreaking of its new Hospice Care Center, the region’s first and only standalone inpatient hospice facility, following the successful achievement of its $9.2 million fundraising goal by raising nearly $9.6 million to launch construction. The Hospice Care Center is a critical expansion of compassionate end-of-life care for families across the region. Designed to serve patients with complex needs in a peaceful, homelike setting, the nearly 30,000-square-foot facility will offer 21 private patient suites, family gathering spaces, a chapel, and serene gardens for quiet reflection. “When families can no longer care for a loved one at home, this facility will offer a supportive space that blends expert care with dignity and comfort,” said David W. Cook, President and CEO of Hosparus Health. 

Federal long-term care advisory commission proposed McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Kimberly Marselas; 9/14/25 A National Advisory Commission on long-term care would be created under a bill introduced Thursday [9/11] that is intended to provide recommendations to Congress over the next decade. US Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Boozman (R-AR) said the commission would address a growing number of issues for seniors and others in need of long-term help with activities of daily living. The bipartisan Supporting Our Seniors Act directs a 12-member commission to assess and provide recommendations to Congress on improving service delivery, financing, workforce adequacy, and other issues related to access and affordability.

Perspectives of hospice medical directors on challenges and solutions for improving care for persons living with dementias (PLWD) and their caregiversAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care; by Taeyoung Park, Abhay Tiwari, Elizabeth Luth, Yongkang Zhang, Simone Prather, Micah Toliver, Giancarlo Chuquitarco, Veerawat Phongtankuel; 8/25A larger proportion of PLWD [persons living with dementia] outlive the 6-month hospice eligibility requirement compared to other terminally ill patients, which leads to high rates of hospice live discharge. Hospice medical directors (HMDs) are physicians with unique insights into both the clinical aspects of care and the administrative and regulatory guidelines of hospice care delivery. To address these challenges, HMDs suggested (1) establishing a dementia-specific hospice program, (2) extending hospice benefit availability for PLWD, and (3) creating a step-down service for families experiencing live discharge from hospice. HMD participants suggested providing additional supports and/or reforming the current Medicare hospice benefits to better address end-of-life care for PLWD, who may require prolonged and intensive end-of-life support.

Keepers of the quiet goodbye: Meet the people who pulled off a hospice miracle by overcoming society’s fear of homelessness and death itself The Oberserver, Sacramento, CA; by Scott Thomas Anderson; 9/3/25 Inside the decade-long struggle to make Joshua’s House a reality in Sacramento: Craig Dresang has lived in the shadow of death since he was 8 years old. Dresang was in third grade when his mother, Joyce, was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. At almost the same moment, his mom’s best friend was also given a devastating cancer diagnosis. She was gone six months later — an outcome that kept flashing in Dresang’s young mind. ...  ... [Scroll ahead in time.] The child who could never run from death became the professional willing to confront it. ...  [Working with YoloCares in Davis, CA, Dresang met] Marlene von Friedrichs-Fitzwater, a woman on a mission to create the first hospice shelter for unhoused people on the West Coast.

The keys to building solid disease-specific hospice programs Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 9/8/25 Understanding the most prevalent medical conditions among aging patient populations is a significant part of developing disease-specific programs that better address physical, emotional and practical needs. ... Community needs assessments play a large role in steering the direction of a disease-specific program, said Evan Dressel, director of strategy, program development and innovation at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.  ... Navigating service needs, strategic execution and establishing successful care collaborations are crucial components to consider when building a disease-specific program, according to Kelly Gadison, vice president of clinical practice, strategy and programs at Amedisys. ... 

Shepherd’s Cove adds program The Advertise-Gleam, Albertville, AL, by Anthony Campbell; 9/2/25 Shepherd’s Cove Hospice is proud to announce the launch of Shepherd’s Cove Counseling, a new program that provides professional mental health services for individuals, couples and families. This exciting expansion enhances Shepherd’s Cove’s care offerings by giving the community access to licensed therapy through insurance or private pay, without affecting the organization’s long-standing commitment to maintaining access, at no cost, to grief support. “Shepherd’s Cove Counseling creates space for healing, growth, and support during life’s most challenging seasons,” said Stacey Johnson, LICSW, Community Programs Director. 

Amarillo VA expands end-of-life care with new hospice unit CBS KFDA-10, Amarillo, TX; by Canion Cvazos; 8/28/25 After years of planning, the Amarillo VA has opened a new chapter in veteran care. The VA held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to celebrate the opening for its new hospice unit. VA leaders say the goal is to create a home-like environment, where families can gather with comfort and dignity during their loved one’s final days. The hospice unit will provide 10 private rooms, each designed for a single patient, with its own bathroom and shower. 

Hospices nationwide pursue organic growth with new sites Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 8/28/25 Hospices from across the country have sought organic growth with the recent launches of new facilities.

Navigating the Wage Index: Insights from industry experts Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux with Annette Kiser and Judi Lund Person; 8/20/25 The healthcare landscape is transforming before our eyes, shifting away from hospital-centered care toward home-based models.  This fundamental change raises urgent questions about Medicare's outdated reimbursement systems, particularly for Hospice providers facing a mere 2.6% rate increase while battling significant inflation. Join us in this illuminating conversation and in-depth discussion with industry experts Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios, and Judi Lund Person, Principal, Lund Person & Associates LLC, as they sit down with Chris and explore the complexities of the final 2026 Hospice Wage Index and its impact on Hospice organizations.

YoloCares: A caring coalition for California The Davis Enterprise; by Craig Dresang; 8/15/25 In his closing remarks at a 2016 stakeholder meeting, hosted by the National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Victor Dzau (academy president) said, “We need a coalition, a movement, a critical mass. We need to work together so that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. We need to come together to develop resources for policy and communication. We need to improve our communication — to patients and families, healthcare providers, government, and the public.” His words perfectly captured the founding spirit of the Coalition for Compassionate Care of California. ... The group is a small but mighty powerhouse that works closely with healthcare systems and providers, patient advocacy groups, professional associations and policy — and lawmakers to promote high-quality care for seriously ill Californians. 

Over half of older employees plan to work 'indefinitely' and never retire Money Magazine; by Amd Hardy; 8/11/25 Many retirement-age Americans are planning to continue working — forever. Some 51% of employed Americans 65 or older say they expect to work “indefinitely,” according to a recent report from Asset Preservation, a financial advisory firm. Meanwhile, about 6 in 10 respondents say they plan to work “at least five more years” before retiring, putting the earliest age they would consider retiring at 70. ... Why older Americans are working so late in life seems to be a fairly even split between necessity and choice. About one half works to cover basic living expenses, like food, health care and housing, while the other half chooses to work to stay mentally and physically active. Guest Editor’s Note, Mark Cohen: As many hospices are still trying to rebuild the ranks of their volunteers to pre-pandemic levels, this report indicates the challenges may continue to grow. It’s worth noting that half of the Boomers who say they will continue working past normal retirement age would do so out of choice and not economic necessity. That opens the door to demonstrating the value and rewards of volunteer service. And for those volunteer managers younger than Boomers, it’s important to keep in mind that, more than any other generation, Boomers define themselves and measure their success in life in large part by their work.

Family Hospice, Alzheimer’s Association partner on ‘Check In’ program for dementia patients Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/11/25Family Hospice is working with the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter, to improve safety for dementia patients through a new collaborative campaign. The #ICheckedIn campaign calls on community members to check on seniors in their community, particularly those who suffer from dementia or memory loss, through phone calls, visits or other modes of communication. Editor's Note: This article by Hospice News was reposted by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) under the title, "Hospice encourages public to check on older neighbors."