Literature Review

Stetson University professor joins millions of Americans as she embraces caregiver role for her aging parents Spectrum News 13, Orlando/Deland, FL; by Nicole Griffin and Devin Martin; 3/31/25 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 10 million Americans act as unpaid caregivers for an elderly parent on a regular basis. Millions in that group not only have a full- or part-time job, they are also part of the so-called “sandwich generation” — people who find themselves supporting their children and parents at the same time. ... Stetson University professor Wendy Anderson is part of that group. ... She has moved in with her parents to help care for her elderly father and mother, who is in at-home hospice care. [Continue reading ...]

Honoring a young girl’s love of nature on her final dayMayo Clinic News Network; by Mayo Clinic Staff; 3/27/25 On a Saturday evening in September of 2024, Mae Helgeson arrived at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, her small body reeling from the trauma of a life-threatening accident. Although she was intubated and sedated, it didn't take long for the care team to learn what made this little girl special. ... "I often ask parents to tell me about their child. Is there anything you think is important or that I should know about your family?" says Paige Dighton, one of the Child Life specialists who partnered with Mae's family. "This allows them to share the special things — those unique qualities that make them a family. You learn more than just what's in their chart." ... It was only a couple of days later that Mae's family was faced with the devastating decision they'd hoped to avoid. ... The question shifted from "Can we save her?" to "How do we say goodbye?" Following their lead, the team began focusing on end-of-life care. "Dr. Schiltz gave us the space to think and process our emotions — it didn't feel rushed," says Matt. 

Hospital workers share 26 deathbed regrets they’ve heard that changed their lives Boredpanda; by Ruta Zumbrickaite; 3/28/25 While painful, regret can also be a motivator for learning and growth, encouraging us to avoid repeating past mistakes and make better decisions in the future. We guess that’s why self-help author Debbie Ford once said, “Pain can be our greatest teacher.” Someone on the web asked hospital workers, “What regrets do you hear from dying patients?”, and folks who’ve been there in people’s last moments shared the words that hit them the hardest. Here’s a list of some of their most profound responses.  

Saying goodbye to Dad MidlandsLife; by Jeff Becraft; 3/27/25 I know my last article talked about my Dad moving on to Higher Ground, but while it is still fresh on my mind, I’m going to delve into the process of saying goodbye.  Perhaps it will resonate with someone who has already been down this path… or maybe someone who will be going down this path. I know that many people have been on a longer road than what I am going to describe. I won’t try to cover everything and there are some very significant things that are left out because of space; I will be simply giving my perspective on the overall experience of the last days. [Continue reading ...]Editor's note: If you have to dive into only one article today, this is the one. If you have experienced the vigil of a loved one's final days, this likely gives voice to your journey: "Each day we thought was going to be Dad’s last. It was certainly a time of changing emotions." If you have not experienced this, read to learn common rhythms and themes, dissonances harmonies, and final release into death. Thank you Jeff Becraft for your meaningful reflection.

Hidden battles: Keeping cancer secret Harvard Health Publishing - Harvard Medical School; by Maureen Salamon; post is dated 4/1/25, retrieved from the internet 3/25/25 Some people choose to conceal their diagnosis and treatment. Here's why — and reasons that approach can sometimes backfire. ... [In addition to privacy motives, Cristina Pozo-Kaderman, a senior psychologist at Harvard-affiliated Dana-Farber Cancer Institute] says cancer patients may also wish to:

Executive producer Bradley Cooper's film Caregiving to premiere on PBS for nationwide broadcast June 24, streaming begins May 27ABC WHTM-27, Harrisburg, PA; 3/20/25 PBS and WETA Washington, DC, today announced that Caregiving, the documentary created with executive producer Bradley Cooper highlighting the challenges and triumphs of caregiving in America, will premiere Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings), and on the PBS YouTube Channel. Caregiving will be available to stream on PBS.org and the PBS App beginning Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Award-winning actress Uzo Aduba (The Residence, Painkiller, Orange is the New Black) was also announced as the film's narrator, bringing her own experience as a caregiver for her mother to the project. The two-hour documentary is centered on the personal experiences of caregivers providing for loved ones, and the challenges and triumph they face each day. These stories are interwoven with the broader context of the cultural and economic conditions in the U.S., leading to a care system tipping into crisis. [Continue reading ... including "Bradley Cooper Invites the Public to Share Their Caregiving Story]

'They mourn just like you and me': Local nonprofit cares for animals of terminally ill owners The Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO; by Kelly Hayes; 3/22/25 The car ride back to the home of Randy and Linda Gearhart was near silent that February day. The husband and wife from Colorado Springs had just picked up 12-year-old Kimi, a tan, medium-sized dog, and 11-year-old Sage, a slightly larger kelpie mix. ... Sitting in the trunk of the car was all the pups had known: several cushions, their bowls, plenty of toys and a heap of blankets. But there was something — or rather, someone — missing. Their owner, who died recently. “I didn’t wash these until last week,” Linda said, pointing to their cushions. “I think having the smells, having their same beds, that familiarity, was good for them.” For nearly three decades, Safe Place for Pets has served as a new home for animals of terminally ill owners in Colorado Springs. With the help of about 50 volunteers, two part-time employees and a handful of fosters such as the Gearharts, the nonprofit shoulders a heavy responsibility: caring for beloved pets after their person dies. [Continue reading this heart-warming story ...]

Mt. Hood Hospice to present third Grief Made Visible art exhibit in April Sandy Post, West Linn, OR; by Brit Allen; 3/23/25 Aside from in-home hospice services, Mt. Hood Hospice offers numerous other resources to the community, regardless of income or if they have any other ties to the organization. Among them are grief support groups that utilize art as a tool of healing. As a result of these groups, 16 artists will have the art that they created in these groups on display at AntFarm Café & Bakery, 39140 Proctor Blvd., throughout the month of April, from April 3-30, while the cafe is open. ... “This art show creates a space that normalizes talking about mental health and grief,” said Mt. Hood Hospice Bereavement Services Director Laura Lirette. “In a culture where grief is often experienced alone and behind closed doors, our hope is that this exhibit will invite conversations about grief and supporting grievers.”

How our partnership with LovEvolve fosters the message of compassionate care Carolina Caring, Newton, NC; 3/20/25 ... Founded and designed by professional artist Sunny Goode, LovEvolve is a mission-driven organization producing scarves, blankets, and swaddles which hold creative attention to color theory and the message of love. ... LovEvolve has distributed their products across thirteen hospitals nationwide, allowing over 61,000 newborns to be wrapped in love. ... Cardinal Kids [Carolina Caring's pediatric palliative medicine and hospice program] began distributing LovEvolve blankets and swaddles to our hospice patients in December 2024. Though these items are a recent addition to our story, families have already shared that these gifts bring lasting meaning to their hospice experience. These blankets are memory makers, reminding families of the impact that their child has had on this world. Sometimes, parents use the blankets whenever they spend the night with their children at the hospice house. The blankets have also been regifted to siblings as a tangible reminder of their brother or sister. The visual cue of love has been a source of peace for many of our Pediatric nurses, as well.

10 things hospice doesn’t tell you, shared by a Cleveland Clinic doctor The Healthy; by Patricia Varacallo, DO (author) with Laura Hoeksema, MD, MPH, FAAHPM (medical director for Cleveland Clinic Hospice); 3/19/25 ... Dr. Hoeksema shares key insights about hospice care and reminds patients and families that the hospice team is always available to answer questions and provide support when things feel uncertain.What hospice does not tell you, but you should know:

Impacting end-of-life care with new healthcare legislation: Patient-Directed Medical Orders (PDMO) in advance care planningAmerican Nurse - State Nurses Associations - Florida News Journal; by Meredith Fischer, BSN, RN, CHPN; 3/19/25 Over the summer, a friend’s elderly father underwent resuscitation and intubation because his nursing facility could not locate his Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNRO) or Advanced Directive (AD). ... New legislation is being filed for a Patient-Directed Medical Order (PDMO) document designed to address the shortcomings of the ADs and DNRO forms—currently the primary tools for addressing end-of-life care preferences in Florida. The PDMO form originates from the POLST paradigm, which has been adopted by most states since its inception in Oregon in the early 1990s (National POLST, 2022). Healthcare professionals recognized that many individuals were not receiving the end-of-life care outlined in their ADs and DNROs due to accessibility, clarity, and practicality (National POLST, 2022).

Why aging parents make DNR choices before crisis strikes Rolling Out 25; by Khalil Best; 3/17/25The conversation typically begins quietly. ... An aging parent mentions their desire for a Do Not Resuscitate order—commonly known as a DNR—and the atmosphere in the room shifts. For many adult children, this moment arrives unexpectedly, triggering complex emotions ranging from denial to grief. Yet these discussions, uncomfortable as they may be, represent one of the most meaningful exchanges families can share. Understanding why many elderly parents choose to sign DNR orders in advance illuminates not just practical healthcare concerns, but deeper values about dignity, autonomy, and what constitutes a meaningful life.