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All posts tagged with “General News | Caregiver News.”



Burnett Center restores labyrinth as community healing space

07/25/25 at 03:00 AM

Burnett Center restores labyrinth as community healing space Southern Maryland News, LaPlata, MD; by Aamaly Hossain; 7/21/25 On a wide stretch of land, nestled between Barbara Burnett’s two homes and a weathered barn, stands the Burnett Center for Hope and Healing — and beyond it, is its labyrinth. Once known as Calvert Hospice, the center is now part of the Hospice of the Chesapeake and transformed from a patient-filled facility into a community space centered solely on healing. “We’ve reimagined it into a center for everyone in the community experiencing any kind of loss, grief, illness — whatever they need to heal,” Heather Conner, volunteer service manager with Hospice of the Chesapeake, said.

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Caring for a difficult elderly parent during a transition

07/23/25 at 03:00 AM

Caring for a difficult elderly parent during a transitionPsychology Today - Caregiving; "Personal Perspective" by Franne Sippel, EdD, LP; 7/21/25 I am the only child of an only child who lives in an assisted living facility thousands of miles away. I unofficially diagnosed Mom with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder after struggling for years with a relationship fraught with guilt and frustration. ... It’s difficult enough to care for a frail parent when their health is failing. However, the added OCD personality, with its micromanaging, rules, and demands, tests patience beyond compare.  ... A good friend suggested I call hospice to evaluate her. Jim, a hospice RN in his 70s, arrived and instantly assessed the situation with laser-like precision. ... I spend many months going back and forth between South Dakota and Arizona to see my mom. Hospice continues to visit her three to four times a week at the assisted living facility, and a dear family friend also visits her several times a week. ... Editor's Note: Keep reading this article to its end. The insightful, practical, sensitive care from these hospice clinicians generated life-long transformations for this burdened caregiver-daughter. 

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Understanding the influence of culture on end-of-life, palliative, and hospice care: A narrative review

07/18/25 at 03:00 AM

Understanding the influence of culture on end-of-life, palliative, and hospice care: A narrative review Cureus; by Veena Hira, Sainamitha R. Palnati, and Saajan Bhakta; 7/15/25 ... This narrative review included 25 relevant publications related to influence of culture and patient demographics on end-of-life care, hospice, and palliative care. As each culture has its own unique views on death and dying, it is crucial to note these cultural differences when assisting with end-of-life care to best align with patients’ beliefs and values. Themes such as cultural barriers, communication preferences and family roles emerged from the publications. ... This narrative review offered a snapshot of how culture influences end-of-life decisions worldwide, specifically in East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, while highlighting themes of 1) truth disclosure and communication preferences, 2) patient autonomy and family involvement, and 3) perception of illness and death. ... Central to providing effective end-of-life care is open, culturally tailored communication that respects patients’ and families’ values, facilitated through shared decision-making discussions. ... Ultimately, integrating cultural understandings of death and dying into end-of-life care planning is not simply a matter of sensitivity, but it is a matter of quality and equity. Health systems must not only provide choices but ensure those choices are intelligible, meaningful, and respectful within the patient’s worldview.Editor's Note: Pair this today's post, My health and my politics walk into a doctor’s office …

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The grave outlook for hospice family caregivers

07/14/25 at 03:00 AM

The grave outlook for hospice family caregivers Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 7/10/25 The state of family caregiving in the United States has reached a critical tipping point amid rising demand for end-of-life care and insufficient resources. Many family caregivers are ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of supporting a loved one with a terminal illness, according to Dr. Arul Thangavel, CEO of the advance care planning company WiserCare. Thangavel is also an attending physician at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Among the issues is that conversations about the end of life and goals of care are often brought up far too late in a disease trajectory, Thangavel said. This trend leaves families grappling with uncertainty, moral distress, guilt and compounded grief in the decision-making process, he stated. 

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Hard decisions: Using legal authority over an aging parent

07/14/25 at 03:00 AM

Hard decisions: Using legal authority over an aging parent Forbes; by Carolyn Rosenblatt; 7/9/25 The phone call came to Dad’s daughter (FD) at 6 AM. Again. This time, it was the night [home] caregiver reporting that her father had fallen while trying to get out of bed. She had jumped up and tried to stop him but she could only get to him in time to break his fall. ... For months, FD had watched her father's condition deteriorate from 300 miles away, visiting as often as she could. Advanced dementia had robbed Dad of his independence, and multiple physical ailments had left him requiring round-the-clock care. He was on hospice care, ... FD [daughter and legal authority] felt compelled to make a decision about moving Dad [from home to a facility]. ...

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Grieving the living: How Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley helps caregivers cope

07/14/25 at 02:00 AM

Grieving the living: How Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley helps caregivers cope North Country Now, St. Lawrence County, NY; by Kate Favaro, Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley; 7/10/25 With caregiving comes grief, there’s no way around it. You will grieve two important things that you’ve lost: who the person you’re caring for used to be, and the things that will never be. Take the time to explore the grief you’re experiencing so you can provide the best care possible. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of anyone else. Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley offers the following on the grief of caregiving:

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5 ways to have a ‘good death’ — including one of the biggest mistakes people make

07/08/25 at 03:00 AM

5 ways to have a ‘good death’ — including one of the biggest mistakes people make New York Post; by Reda Wigle; 7/3/25 No one gets out of life alive — but one expert says we can take steps to make sure we leave the earthly plane riding the high of a “good death.” “While 80% of people want to die at home surrounded by loved ones, only 30% actually do,” End Well founder Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider told The Post. “This massive gap reflects our system’s inability to honor what patients actually value.” As our cultural relationship to mortality has changed, Ungerleider notes that we have become disconnected from the process of death and, in turn, fail to plan appropriately for it. But if you’re not sure where to start, she has a helpful checklist of everything you should be doing to avoid a “bad death.”

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F.O.U.R. Steps to celebrate July 4th in a dementia-friendly manner

07/03/25 at 03:00 AM

F.O.U.R. Steps to celebrate July 4th in a dementia-friendly manner Alzheimer's Foundation of America; 6/30/25 Fireworks and gatherings are staples of the July 4th holiday, but these can create unique challenges for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses. With Independence Day approaching, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is advising families to follow the F.O.U.R. steps to create a dementia-friendly 4th of July. ... AFA encourages caregivers to follow the F.O.U.R. steps to create a dementia-friendly 4th of July:

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[United Kingdom] Grandson to run 120km over 24 hours for hospice

07/02/25 at 03:00 AM

[United Kingdom] Grandson to run 120km over 24 hours for hospice BBC News, Bristol, UK; by Clara Bullock; 6/28/25 A 31-year-old man is training to run 120km (75 miles) in 24 hours, in memory of his grandmother and to raise awareness of palliative care. Mary Lerway died in October 2023 and now Josh Galea, her grandson who lives in Bristol, is running the equivalent of almost three marathons to support St Peter's Hospice. Mr Galea, who became Ms Lerway's informal carer when her health declined, said: "Unfortunately, the end of my Nan's life was very difficult, not only for her, but also for the wider family who had to care for her. ... Ms Lerway was first seen by nurses from St Peter's Hospice 48 hours before she died. Mr Galea said that within an hour of them arriving the whole situation improved and the family could "breathe a sigh of relief"."It put us at ease knowing that she was being looked after, and it allowed us to say goodbye to her peacefully," he said.

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‘Smartest thing I ever did:’ Woman shares how grief counseling helped her through tragedy

06/18/25 at 03:00 AM

‘Smartest thing I ever did:’ Woman shares how grief counseling helped her through tragedy WGHP, Asheboro, NC; by Brayden Stamps; 6/17/25 Everyone goes through grief at some point in their life and it is important to get help when you need it. Hospice facilities serve families in more ways than just providing their loved ones with a place to stay during their final days. “It was the smartest thing I ever did,” said Darlene Tolbert, a grief counseling client with Hospice of Randolph. Tolbert came to Hospice of Randolph at the recommendation of a friend after she lost her son to suicide.

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Families demand end to Medicare waiting period for early-onset Alzheimer’s patients

06/17/25 at 03:20 AM

Families demand end to Medicare waiting period for early-onset Alzheimer’s patients Washington Examiner; by Elaine Mallon; 6/15/25 Jason Raubach was diagnosed at 50 years old with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease — a diagnosis that affects nearly 200,000 Americans. He received the diagnosis in 2018, completely upending life for his family. His youngest child was just a freshman in high school. ... Shortly before receiving an official diagnosis, Jason Raubach lost his job, having to move his family onto a consolidated omnibus budget reconciliation act health plan, or COBRA plan, which allows a person to keep their health insurance even after losing their job. “It wasn’t cheap,” Elizabeth Raubach said.However, once diagnosed, Jason Raubach had to wait two and a half years before he could receive coverage under Medicare, health insurance for those 65 years and older or those with qualifying disabilities. But Elizabeth Raubach, along with dozens of other caretakers for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, called on Congress in a letter to eliminate the 29-month waiting period required for those under the age of 65 to receive coverage under Medicare. ...

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‘It was meant to be’: How a haircut became a gift for hospice patients

06/17/25 at 03:15 AM

‘It was meant to be’: How a haircut became a gift for hospice patients Simple Health - KXAN, Austin, TX; by Esmerald Zamora; 6/15/25 In addition to its clinical care, Blue Water Homecare and Hospice [in Central Texas]also runs a volunteer program designed to enhance patients’ quality of life. Through that program, a new partnership has formed with Maria’s Hair Studio and Barbershop in Round Rock to provide free haircuts to hospice patients in the comfort of their homes. ... Volunteer Coordinator Steve Wanzer said the idea came from a patient request. A social worker reached out to Wanzer, asking if he knew anyone who could provide a haircut. As fate would have it, Wanzer was driving past Maria’s Hair Studio at that very moment. ... Since then, the simple gesture has become a cherished part of the care Blue Water provides. [Bluewater owner Jennifer Prescott said,] “As hospice professionals, we understand how important it is to help people feel good. This small act of kindness goes a long way.”Editor's Note: How beautiful, and so easy to replicate. This brings a smile to me. My Mom was living in our home with hospice care. Confined to an upstairs bedroom, she asked me how she could get a long overdue haircut. She laughed, "I want to look good in my casket!" My longtime hairdresser came to our home, lovingly tended Mom and her hair, and took a now-favorite photo of Mom and me. She died 3 weeks later. Yes--in her casket--Mom was beautiful!

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Nurse practitioners step in as geriatrician ranks shrink

06/17/25 at 03:00 AM

Nurse practitioners step in as geriatrician ranks shrink The Washington Post; by Jariel Arvin; 6/15/25 On Fridays, Stephanie Johnson has a busy schedule, driving her navy-blue Jeep from one patient’s home to the next, seeing eight people in all. Pregnant with her second child, she schleps a backpack instead of a traditional black bag to carry a laptop and essential medical supplies ... “Our patient isn’t just the older adult,” Johnson said. “It’s also often the family member or the person helping to manage them.” Johnson isn’t alone. Today, nurse practitioners are increasingly filling a gap that is expected to widen as the senior population explodes and the number of geriatricians declines. The Health Resources and Services Administration projects a 50 percent increas in demand for geriatricians from 2018 to 2030, when the entire baby boom generation will be older than 65. ...

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Navigating the ‘Long Goodbye’ Help for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s Dementia

06/17/25 at 03:00 AM

Navigating the ‘Long Goodbye’ Help for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s Dementia The Journal; by Renee Bledsoe, LPN, CHPLN, Hospice of the Panhandle; 6/16/25 ...  [Important statistics:] ... Right now, there are more than 38,000 individuals over the age of 65 in West Virginia with Alzheimer’s Dementia and about 65,000 caregivers. The estimated total lifetime cost of care for someone with Dementia is more than $400,000 and about 70 percent of that cost is borne by family caregivers in the form of unpaid caregiving and out-of-pocket costs. Sixty-six percent of caregivers live with the person for whom they are caring. More than half provide care to a parent or in-law, and about a quarter of those are also caring for at least one child. It comes as no surprise that 59 percent of dementia caregivers report high emotional stress, and 38 percent report high physical stress, according to the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. ... Hospice of the Panhandle is no stranger to the emotional, physical and financial challenges that the caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s Dementia in our area face every day. ...

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Hospice a saving grace during our hardest time

06/16/25 at 03:00 AM

Hospice a saving grace during our hardest time Pikes Peak Courier; by Mary Lovato; 6/11/25 ... I recently lost the two most important men in my life. My husband passed away from bladder cancer and within 6 months, my brother passed away from COPD. The individuals who worked for Hospice and helped us deal with the end of life of each of these loved ones were amazing. It wasn’t just the medical personnel, it was also the person who came to the house to set up the required equipment, it was the person who bathed the patient, it was the social worker, it was the person who offered spiritual guidance, it was even the person who in an emergency, delivered medicine in the middle of the night.

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Dementia severity associated with unmet caregiving needs during skilled home health care

06/14/25 at 03:20 AM

Dementia severity associated with unmet caregiving needs during skilled home health careJournal of Applied Gerontology; Julia G. Burgdorf, Jennifer L. Wolff, Yolanda Barrón, Halima Amjad; 5/25One-third of home health care (HHC) patients have dementia. We examined 426,608 older (65+) HHC patients with dementia in 2018. Unmet caregiving needs were determined from HHC clinician reports indicating that (1) no caregiver was present (lack of availability) or (2) the caregiver needed training (lack of capacity). Most (83%) HHC patients with dementia experienced an unmet need for caregiving. Medicaid enrollment and depression were associated with lack of caregiver availability; greater clinical severity and being post-acute were associated with lack of caregiver capacity. Patients with high (compared to low) cognitive symptom severity had higher odds of unmet needs due to lack of caregiver capacity ... Findings illustrate the gap between dementia caregiving needs and capacity, highlighting the importance of supportive resources such as training.

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Celebrating Father’s Day after your Dad has passed

06/13/25 at 03:10 AM

Celebrating Father’s Day after your Dad has passed Delaware Hospice, Milford, DE; retrieved from www.delawarehospice.org on 6/12/25 The days leading up to Father’s Day can be difficult for those who have lost a father. Father’s Day is surrounded by consumerism—and seeing all the commercials, greeting cards, and restaurant specials can be emotionally overwhelming. The holiday can be especially hard for those experiencing their first Father’s Day without their dad, and they may be tempted to avoid the holiday altogether. However, Father’s Day doesn’t have to be about gifts or grilling out with Dad. There are still many ways to celebrate, remember, and honor your father this Father’s Day, even if he is no longer physically with you.

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His sick wife asked him to kill her. Now that she's gone, he says the loneliness is worse.

06/12/25 at 03:00 AM

His sick wife asked him to kill her. Now that she's gone, he says the loneliness is worse. USA Today; by Madeline Mitchell; 6/11/25 Ever since his wife died in December, David Cook feels like a stranger in his own home. ... The loneliness “is a problem,” Cook said, and sometimes he slips into dark, depressive episodes he can only shake with sleep. He avoids the living room, with the framed photos of the two of them smiling together, the new plush carpet, the television where they'd watch tennis and golf and the ghost of the recliner she used to sit in. Patricia Cook died there, so for now − maybe forever − it's off limits. ... When she went into hospice in their living room, adamant that she’d die in her own home, the pain was excruciating. “She actually, several times, asked me to kill her," Cook said. "And I didn’t even have to think about it, I just said, ‘I’m sorry.’ I said, 'I just can’t do that.’” “Do you know how hard that is?” Cook said. “When someone asks you to kill them?” ... Editor's note: Spoiler alert. David Cook did not kill his wife. Still, he asks, "What more could I have done?" Read this story to develop your understanding of the profound depths of loss for spouses/partners, especially when they have served as caregiver through challenging needs.

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Caring for Gladine: A Las Cruces man's account of caregiving for his wife with dementia

06/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Caring for Gladine: A Las Cruces man's account of caregiving for his wife with dementia Las Cruces Sun News; by Leah Romero; 6/10/25 When Gladine Lindly was diagnosed with dementia in 2018, she and her husband Steve Gaskell decided to manage at home. But as Lindly’s dementia progressed, Gaskell quickly realized he needed help taking care of her. ... “She said, ‘I want you to be my caregiver. ... I don’t want to go into a home or facility,’” Glaskell recalled. “I proceeded to walk into the doors of Home Instead to apply for a job because I wanted to learn how to be a caregiver. Never done anything like that before.” ...  By September 2024, Lindly ... was placed on hospice care. By December, the hospice nurse told Gaskell it was time for family and friends to start saying their goodbyes.  ... [Gaskell described her death,] "And it was as peaceful as you can imagine. And that was…this sounds crazy to say, but that was probably the easiest part of the whole process.” Lindly passed on Jan. 7, 2025 at the age of 77. [Go to the source article for more of this inspiring story about caregiving through dementia.]

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Terminally ill woman, 35, cancels plans - best friend’s reaction backed

06/09/25 at 03:00 AM

Terminally ill woman, 35, cancels plans - best friend’s reaction backed Miami Herald, Miami, FL; by Lydia Patrick, Newsweek Life; 6/5/25 A woman has sparked an outpouring of support online after admitting she felt relieved when her terminally ill best friend canceled their remaining plans. The anonymous Reddit user, ... shared her emotional experience ... where her confession received over 8,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments. She explained that her best friend, Sarah, 35, had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer and her condition rapidly worsened. ... In an effort to make the most of her time, Sarah created an ambitious bucket list, which included a trip to the coast, a party, and a final hike to her favorite mountain. However, after halting treatment, she transitioned into hospice care and most of the planned activities were either canceled or significantly scaled back. ... [Serving as primary caregiver, she wrote,] "And I'm relieved. I'm utterly, profoundly ashamed to admit it, but I'm exhausted. Mentally, emotionally, financially. ..." ... Dr. Terri Daniel, a grief counselor and hospice chaplain at Forest Park Hospice, told Newsweek the Redditor's experience is not uncommon and far from selfish.

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NPHI proud to announce its partnership on the upcoming documentary for PBS, Caregiving, from Executive Producer Bradley Cooper

06/06/25 at 03:00 AM

NPHI proud to announce its partnership on the upcoming documentary for PBS, Caregiving, from Executive Producer Bradley Cooper National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; 5/19/25 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) is proud to announce its partnership on the upcoming PBS documentary Caregiving, a powerful new film executive produced by Academy Award-nominated actor, director, and producer Bradley Cooper. Created in collaboration with Cooper’s production company, Lea Pictures, as well as WETA Washington, D.C., and Ark Media, Caregiving will shine a national spotlight on the often unseen yet essential work of caregivers across the country. NPHI is honored to serve as a national partner on this important project. Narrated by Uzo Aduba (The Residence, Orange Is the New Black) and directed by Chris Durrance, Caregiving intertwines deeply personal stories of caregivers with the untold history of the American care system. The documentary examines how caregivers—often family members, friends, and frontline professionals—navigate the immense challenges and unseen achievements of their roles.

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Hospices facing a US caregiving ‘crisis’

06/04/25 at 03:00 AM

Hospices facing a US caregiving ‘crisis’ Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 6/2/25 Family caregivers in the United States are being challenged by a swelling aging population inneed of greater support and stronger policy infrastructures. Much room for improvement exists at both state and federal levels when it comes to recognizing the important roles that family caregivers play, according to Steven Lee, co-founder and CEO of ianacare, a Boston-based patient and caregiver resource company. More innovative care models and disease-specific reimbursement options have widened pathways for hospice providers to improve family caregiver support, Lee said in a recent Hospice News Elevate podcast. But these fall short of addressing the diverse scope of practical, emotional and financial needs, he stated. Editor's note: This article has an excellent map of US states with caregiver categories for "Well-Supported," "Safe for Now," "High Risk," and "Critical" (courtesy of Otsuka America Pharmaceutical). Additionally, our sponsor Hospice Analytics provides the National Hospice Locator, for caregivers/families to find hospices that serve in each US county, and sorted by their quality scores. And, our sponsor Composing Life equips hospice organizations with caregiver/family video libraries that span the continuum of serious illness, hospice, and grief care. 

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A critical examination of ‘family’ caregiving at the end of life in contexts of homelessness: Key concepts and future considerations

05/31/25 at 03:35 AM

A critical examination of ‘family’ caregiving at the end of life in contexts of homelessness: Key concepts and future considerationsPalliative Care and Social Practice; Ashley Mollison, Kelli I. Stajduhar, Marilou Gagnon, Ryan McNeil; 5/25In a world that is becoming more inequitable, understanding and reducing health disparities is a key priority for palliative care. This essay has demonstrated that bio-legal assumptions and privileging may be yet one more inequity in palliative care to address and overcome. This essay has focused in on populations facing homelessness and housing vulnerability, but changing families and growing inequality suggests the potential broad applicability of this work for our collective future. Palliative care is one of the areas of the Western healthcare system that explicitly attends to the person with serious illness and their family and caregivers understanding deeply how the suffering and joys of one group impacts the other. If there is a place in the current health system that can truly make space for caregiving – in all the ways it happens – it is, and should be, palliative care.

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I quit my healthcare job to take care of my grandmother. It’s a mix of happy and sad moments, but ultimately has been life-changing for us.

05/29/25 at 03:00 AM

I quit my healthcare job to take care of my grandmother. It’s a mix of happy and sad moments, but ultimately has been life-changing for us. DNYUZ; "as-told-to essay based on a coversation with Kristina McDonald"; 5/26/25My grandmother is 80, and my grandfather is 83. I quit my full-time job to care for my grandmother as I noticed that her undiagnosed dementia was worsening. ... 

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What caregivers should know about end-of-life rallies

05/22/25 at 03:00 AM

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. ...

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