Literature Review

What caregivers should know about end-of-life rallies  AARP; by Jamie Ducharme; 5/19/25People with advanced illnesses sometimes experience unpredictable bursts of energy or clarity. Here’s how caregivers should handle these episodes. Roughly a decade after her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Liz Donnarumma got her back — but only for an instant. It happened one evening in 2021, more than a year after Donnarumma first realized her mother, Theresa, didn’t recognize her. Theresa took Donnarumma’s face in her hands, called her by her nickname and thanked her. “When she put her hands on my face and I looked into her eyes, she was totally there. It was my mother,” Donnarumma says. “It was like a second, just one second, and it was gone.” Donnarumma’s mother had an episode of “paradoxical lucidity” — that is, an unexpected burst of mental clarity, despite her advanced condition. While these moments are as unexplained as they are unexpected, experts say they are more common than many people realize. ...

Yes, you can die from a broken heartMedscape; by F. Perry Wilson, MD, MSCE; 5/14/25 A patient comes crashing into the emergency room with severe chest pain. The EKG looks like this: A patient comes crashing into the emergency room with severe chest pain. The EKG looks like this: [graphic]. As a doctor, if you see this, you’re calling the cardiac cath lab. This is an ST-elevation myocardial infarction — the big one — indicative of a blood clot blocking blood flow to a large section of the heart. The sooner you get that blood clot out, the better chance the patient has to survive. So the patient is rushed to the cath lab, and they find… nothing. Clear coronaries. No blood clot. Further questioning reveals that the patient, an older woman, lost her husband recently. This is stress-induced cardiomyopathy, medically known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC). It’s the pathophysiologic manifestation of a broken heart. First described in 1991, Takotsubo syndrome occurs in the setting of deep psychological, emotional, or physical stress.

Exploring overlooked collaborative opportunities during end-of-life care Medical Xpress; by Institute of Science Tokyo; 5/14/25 [This study's researchers describe:] "Bereaved family members broadly recollected the mixed regretful actions and decisions that should have been taken during the end-of-life care process. Coordination and cooperation challenges that existed between health care professionals and family caregivers emerged as factors that impeded these actions at the time." [They identified three types of] unintended, percolated work (UPW). ...

[June 12-18, 2025] Why celebrating CNA Week is a big deal ShiftMed; by Sarah Knight; 4/23/25 National Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Week, which kicks off on the Thursday of the second full week of June, is an annual tribute to the dedicated individuals who form the backbone of our healthcare system. So, as we approach CNA Week 2025, we must recognize their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment. ... CNA Week 2025 kicks off on Thursday, June 12 and runs through Wednesday, June 18. This year’s theme, “We Are the Champions,” celebrates CNAs as the unsung heroes of frontline care—professionals who ensure patients feel seen, heard, and truly cared for every single day. ...

CMS seeks public input on improving technology to empower Medicare beneficiaries CMS Newsroom; Press Release; 5/13/25 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking bold steps to modernize the nation’s digital health ecosystem with a focus on empowering Medicare beneficiaries through greater access to innovative health technologies. The agency, in partnership with the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC), is seeking public input on how best to advance a seamless, secure, and patient-centered digital health infrastructure. The goal is to unlock the power of modern technology to help seniors and their families take control of their health and well-being, manage chronic conditions, and access care more efficiently. ...

It's time to talk about LGBTQ+ elder care Psychology Today - Caregiving; by Stephanie Sarazin, M.P.P.; 5/6/25 A once-hidden story is helping us think about queer kinship and caregiving. Key points:

Hospice of Southern West Virginia to host grief support session ahead of Mother’s Day ABC WOAY-4, Oak Hill, WV; by Brandy Lawrence; 5/6/25 [posted for their community before the event] As Mother’s Day approaches, many individuals face a renewed sense of loss and sorrow. To provide comfort and support during this emotionally challenging time, Hospice of Southern West Virginia (HSWV) will hold a special grief support session focused on coping with the loss of a mother or maternal figure. The session is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Bowers Hospice House. The event is open to anyone in the community navigating the grief of losing their mother. The session aims to offer a safe, compassionate space for attendees to honor loved ones, share cherished memories, and find solace in the presence of others who understand their pain.

HOSPICE: Daughter embraces mom’s hospice journey  City Sun Times, Phoenix, AZ; by Lin Sue Flood; 3/25/25  As a nurse, Robin Benton is used to caring for people who are ill. But it’s different when your mother is the one who is sick. Her mom, Charlotte Brewer, a former nurse herself, has multiple myeloma, a rare type of blood cancer. In March 2024, the 80-year-old Valley resident decided to stop curative treatments in favor of comfort care with Hospice of the Valley, where she worked for over 10 years, before retiring in 2007. ... Charlotte’s Hospice of the Valley nurse, Kelly Langston, admires the way the family is living this stage of life with great intention, creating new ways to deepen their love for each other. “They came up with an idea for a hug shirt,” shared Kelly. “Everyone in the family painted their arms then took turns hugging each other — stamping an imprint of encircled arms on the shirts. It’s a way to feel each other’s hugs even when they aren’t together.” [View this creative shirt.]

CAREGIVING:  Aging with adventure - The challenge of caring Daily Hampshire Gazette, Northampton, MA; by Eric Weld; 2/28/25  I made a mistake. I took a hiatus from writing in this space about aging with adventure because I thought I was taking a hiatus from adventure. Boy, was I wrong. I errantly thought that spending more than a year caring for my elderly mother in her final time on earth was taking me away from adventure. I am honored to have enabled my mother’s final days spent at home — not her home, but my sister’s private home — instead of in a public or private nursing facility. ... I assumed, in taking on the role of her co-caretaker, I would temporarily preempt my semi-retirement modus operandi of striking out on great adventures. To the contrary, what I learned from spending nearly two years co-caring for my aging mother is that end-of-life care is, indeed, every bit an adventure on many levels. And of course, it’s certainly about aging. Editor's note: This son defines adventure as having four key components: "challenge, risk, education and movement. 

10 ways to embrace Mother’s Day with a seriously ill mother Roze Room Hospice, Culver City, CA; Website; retrieved from the internet 5/8/2025Spending Mother’s Day with a seriously ill mother can be emotional, but it’s also an opportunity to create meaningful and loving memories. Here are 10 ways to embrace Mother’s Day with a seriously ill mother:

Think you know what nursing research looks like? Think again Boise State News, Boise, ID; 4/30/25 “Research” doesn’t just mean generating new discoveries through experimentation. Boise State supports Boyer’s model of scholarship, which expands the definition of research and creative activity to include applying and integrating knowledge into other settings, as well as teaching it. ... [An] interdisciplinary team is working to improve hospice and palliative care for refugees. ... Clinicians and refugees often do not share common cultures, languages or communication norms, so [Kate] Doyon has been building a community advisory board to create a communication guide. They’re working with stakeholders–including refugees and providers–to develop prompts that will enhance the care refugees receive, starting on the level of communication. Ornelas said the refugees they interviewed “gave us a lot of insight on different cultures and how we can go about and make prompts.” The prompts are short phrases to remind the healthcare team of best ways to interact with refugees and productively approach conversations.

Caregiving: Going it alone is harderMcKnight's Senior Living; by Lois A. Bowers; 4/28/25I was the primary family caregiver for my father for the more than eight years he lived in a skilled nursing facility, and I can’t imagine what that time would’ve been like had my three siblings not been part of the equation. Now a new study has found that, yes, when it comes to caring for aging parents, people who have siblings probably have a better time of it than people who are only children. The findings may help you in your interactions with residents’ loved ones.Publisher's note: A timely reminder that caregiving is challenging - for ourselves, our staff, and the patients and families we serve...

Understanding Conservatory Care Services: A comprehensive overview Articlescad.com; by Jonassen Randall; 4/27/25 As the population ages and healthcare requires evolve, conservatory care services have become a crucial part of the continuum of care for numerous individuals. Unlike standard medical treatment environments, conservatory care services focus on supporting people with persistent conditions or impairments, providing a holistic technique that promotes self-respect and quality of life. This short article will explore what conservatory care services entail, who can benefit from these services, and the various kinds they can take.