Literature Review

Sheinelle Jones honors nurses who cared for her late husbandTODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle; YouTube segment from tv show; 2/4/26 TODAY's Sheinelle Jones pays special tribute to the nurses and caretakers who looked after her husband Uche Ojeh while in hospice and not only made the time he had left more comfortable, but also supported her and the whole family during their most difficult moments. "The only reason I even have the strength to talk about it, is because I believe that they're our heroes. They deserve all the love and attention we can give them," she says. Then, the care team, Jazzie Stickle, Denise James Wright, Nykyra Owens, Chanel Duff and Jessica Goldstein, get a special surprise.Editor's Note: This segment on TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle honored Uche's birthday, the first birthday Sheinelle and her family are experiencing since his death from brain cancer in May 2025. Hudson Valley Hospice provided hospice care, and beautifully represented the best of hospice care's philosophy and care. In addition to nurses and aides, Sheinelle especially thanked Uche's speech pathologist who helped him voice "I love you." I invite you to watch this and be inspired:  Sheinelle Jones' late husband Uche relearned to say 'I love you' in hospice. And she has the video.

“Existential risk” – Why scientists are racing to define consciousness WDC TV News; by WDC TV News Staff; 2/1/26 As artificial intelligence continues to advance and ethical concerns grow alongside it, scientists say the need to understand consciousness has reached a critical point. In a new review published in Frontiers in Science, researchers warn that progress in AI and neurotechnology is moving faster than scientific understanding of consciousness. This gap, they argue, could lead to serious ethical problems if it is not addressed. The authors say explaining how consciousness emerges is now an urgent scientific and moral priority. A clearer understanding could eventually make it possible to develop scientific methods for detecting consciousness. That breakthrough would have far-reaching consequences ...

[United Kingdom] Parents to open 'virtual hospice' after unit shuts BBC News, London, England, UK; by Chris Slegg; 1/31/26 Families of seriously ill children in east London say they are setting up their own hospice service after being left without adequate care following the closure of local hospice, Richard House. The facility in Newham closed on 18 December despite a campaign by parents to keep it open in December. Parents, working with former Richard House chief executive Paul Richards, now plan to open East London Hospice, in order to provide care to families in their homes. 

Preparedness as a bridge: How religious coping shapes acceptance of death in dementia caregivingClinical Gerontologist; by L. Blake Peeples, Lauren Chrzanowski, Benjamin T. Mast; 12/25This study examined the role of religious coping and preparedness in shaping caregivers’ acceptance of death following the loss of a care recipient with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Bivariate analyses indicated that both positive and negative religious coping were significantly associated with greater preparedness, and preparedness was strongly related to acceptance. Findings suggest that interventions focused on religious coping enhance preparedness which improves caregivers’ acceptance in the bereavement process.

Netflix: Goodbye June Netflix; retrieved 12/31/25 A messy yet affectionate family gathers round their mother's hospital bed to grapple with grief, complicated love and the tenderness of a final goodbye. Starring: Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Toni ColletteEditor's Note: Do you love movies? Are you transitioning from holidays back to your end-of-life care work? Goodbye June might be that just-right film for you. For readers with access to Netflix, check it out.

Father of 3 stages 'Grief Photo Shoot' to remember wife who died of cancer (exclusive): CJ Infantino and his late wife Ariana were high school sweethearts People; by Jordan Greene; 2/13/25 There are many moments forever etched in CJ Infantino’s memory, but one stands out above the rest. It was Sept. 5, 2020, when CJ and his wife, Ariana, sat their three kids down at the kitchen table in their California home and told them that Ariana, 35, was going to die. ... Ariana was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2015 — coincidentally, on CJ’s 30th birthday. "We spent the next five-and-a-half years trying to live as much life as we could. We wanted to pack 30 years into 10," CJ says. ... After her last breath, he recalls that everyone "just went silent." ... Right away, the father of three felt isolated, as if no one could relate to his experience. He found that the things people said were often unhelpful and, at times, unintentionally harmful.  ... "I really just wanted to show my kids that, even though she’s not physically here, it’s okay to talk about her. We’re still allowed to laugh, even when we’re in so much pain," he says. "I remember the first moment I laughed or felt a hint of joy, and I thought, 'Are we allowed to do this?' " ... [Click on the title's link for the inspirational story and family photos before and after Ariana's death.] 

Perceptions of family caregiving change across demographic lines Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 12/12/25 Family caregiver burden may be falling heavier on the shoulders of certain demographic groups compared to others, a new survey has found. Perceptions of family caregiver roles and responsibilities vary vastly across different age groups, geographic regions and genders, a new survey from BURD Home Health has found. Survey responses were analyzed by demographics such as gender, income, age and geographic location. Among the main goals was to identify patterns and disparities in how caregiving duties are perceived and distributed, according to Justin Colline, director of marketing at BURD Home Health.Editor's Note: Key findings from the source survey include ..

The balancing act: How caregivers navigate the stress of work, family, and caring for a loved one Delaware LIVE; by Staff Writer; 12/12/25With two-thirds of U.S. caregivers struggling to manage both employment and home duties, experts say planning, boundaries, and support can prevent burnout. ... Insights from national research and guidance from Delaware Hospice, Oasis Senior Care (a leading consultant for families), and Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore underscore a central message: you don’t have to do this alone, and thriving — not just surviving — is possible. ...

AARP: 55 percent of family caregivers use tech to coordinate care McKnights Home Care; by Donna Shryer; 12/9/25 Technology adoption is surging on both sides of the caregiving equation. AARP estimates there are about 63 million unpaid caregivers nationwide, and among those caregivers age 50 and older, 55% now use one or more digital tools to manage routines, coordinate care or track health. Among all adults age 50+ (unpaid caregivers and care recipients), 78% say they rely on technology to stay connected with friends and family, according to AARP’s newly released 2026 Tech Trends and Adults 50-Plus report.

Women are telling the truth in their out-of-office messages. It’s devastating Marie Claire, New York, NY; 11/25/25 A national campaign is delivering a radically honest wake-up call about childcare, burnout, and what it means to live in a country without paid leave. ... This year, working women across the U.S. hit a breaking point. More than 450,000 have left the workforce since January—one of the sharpest declines in recent history, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And, overwhelmingly, the women most likely to walk away are mothers with young children. ... Which is why today, some of them are finally saying so out loud. Not in op-eds or protests, but in their out-of-office replies.

Rainbow 35th anniversary cookbook available Watertown Daily Times, Jefferson, WI; by Kenyon Kemnitz, Rainbow Community Care; 11/22/25 Rainbow Community Care, a trusted independent healthcare provider serving Jefferson, Dodge, and surrounding counties, is excited to announce that its commemorative 35th Anniversary Cookbook, “Nourishing Body & Soul” is officially available for purchase. This community-sourced cookbook features over 300 recipes. It is a beautiful, heartfelt keepsake filled with the best-kept family secrets and cherished stories from the very people who built Rainbow: volunteers, local families, dedicated healthcare workers, and community supporters. All have been part of Rainbow’s 35-year journey of providing compassionate care to rural South Central Wisconsin. “This is more than just a cookbook,” said Rainbow Community Care Clinical Liaison Dana Traynere. “Every recipe tells a story of connection and community, ...Editor's Note: Yes, this creative fundraiser is "more than just a cookbook" with its family recipes filled with memories and relationships from the past for the present and family meals ahead. What favorite family recipes--filled with stories of loved ones who have died--will grace your Thanksgiving table tomorrow?