How cultural shifts surrounding death reflect our evolving health priorities 
WorldHealth.net; 4/28/25 
The culture of thinking about death is evolving in profound and lasting ways. ... Modern society is seeing an unprecedented change in the way we approach mortality since health consciousness, sustainability, and personal well-being now dictate end-of-life discussions. These cultural shifts and changing attitudes about death are indicative of our overall health interests, demonstrating how much our ways of living have crossed with our ways of dying.

• Cultural Shifts from Silence to Openness ...
• Emotional and Psychological Wellness Through Planning ...
• Eco-Friendly Decisions Reflect Environmental Health Consciousness ...
• The Rise of Green Burials and Alternative Cremation Methods ...
• Legacy, Lifestyle, and Longevity Drive New Rituals ...
• The Future of End-of-Life Care ...

Elliot, Southern New Hampshire health systems say separate is better 
The New Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester, NH; by Dave Pierce; 4/25/25 
Although the Elliot Hospital in Manchester and Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua are just 20 miles apart and share many similarities and goals, that hasn’t been enough to bridge an unforeseen chasm that’s widened over their seven-year partnership. This week, their parent company, SolutionHealth, which also includes Home Health & Hospice Care in Merrimack, started the separation process, holding public forums for community input. 

Hunterdon Health Auxiliary’s Splash of Sparkle raises $47,000 for Hunterdon Hospice 
Hunterdon Health, Flemington, NJ; Press Release; 4/22/25 
On April 6th, the Hunterdon Health Auxiliary brought together supporters of Hunterdon Hospice for its signature event, Splash of Sparkle, held at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club. Guests gathered for an afternoon filled with bubbly, brunch, and giving back—raising $47,000 to support compassionate end-of-life care for patients and families across our region. ... One of the most meaningful moments of the afternoon came when Jean Hewens, a longtime friend of hospice, shared her family’s journey. Her husband, Dr. Jeremy Hewens, was a beloved family physician with Hunterdon Family Medicine at Delaware Valley for many years. ...

Bristol Hospice expands, rebrands palliative care program 
Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 4/25/25 
Bristol Hospice has expanded and rebranded its palliative care program amid rising demand for these services. The hospice provider on Wednesday launched the Bristol Palliative Care program, designed to support seriously ill patients with chronic or life-limiting conditions. Formerly the Advanced Illness Management (AIM) program, the rebranding reflects the hospice’s enhanced patient-centered services and sprawling geographic footprint.

Hospice of the Chesapeake unfurls new advanced lung care program 
Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/25/25 
Maryland-based Hospice of the Chesapeake has unveiled a new Advanced Lung Care Program. The hospice and palliative care provider developed the program in partnership with the American Lung Association and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI). The initiative is designed to provide specialized care for patients experiencing severe symptoms from chronic lung disease, which includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis and pulmonary hypertension. 

Practical advice for physicians seeking joy and well-being [podcast] 
MedPageToday's KevinMD.com; by KevinMD; 4/27/25 
Palliative care physician and author Alen Voskanian discusses his article, “Discover the secrets to regaining joy in medicine,” based on an excerpt from his book. Drawing from his personal experience with burnout where he felt isolated and like a failure within the demanding medical industry, Alen strongly emphasizes that burnout is a common result of a broken health care system, not an individual failing. He offers key advice points for physicians and health care workers:  ...

Wings of remembrance: NorthBay butterfly release memorial focuses on healing hearts 
The Reporter, Fairfield, CA; by Robin Miller; 4/26/25
Under a sky painted in soft gray, the air a cool 60-degres, families and friends gathered quietly Saturday morning for a moment both tender and powerful. They had come to NorthBay Health Hospice & Bereavement memorial butterfly release — an event born from love, loss, and the enduring process of healing. ... Before the release, Darren Paulson, a hospice chaplain with Kaiser Permanente, stepped forward to speak. ... “Each of you came here with someone,” he said, “a companion you didn’t ask for and didn’t want: grief.” He spoke of a culture uncomfortable with sorrow, one that urges us to hide our tears and move on too quickly. But grief, he reminded them, doesn’t follow a schedule.

Hospice volunteers and their four-legged best friends 
Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, IN; by Alison Eckert, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator; 4/20/25 
... As the demand for pet therapy services for hospice patients has increased over the years, we have expanded our team of volunteers. We now have 13 volunteers with certified therapy dogs who visit hospice patients at the Parkview Hospital Randallia Supportive Care Unit, Parkview Regional Medical Center, nursing and assisted living facilities, and some patients receiving hospice care in their homes throughout Northeast Indiana. ... [Description of standard volunteer requirements.] ... For those interested in becoming a pet therapy volunteer with Parkview Hospice, the process includes a few more steps. In addition to the training mentioned above, all animals must be certified pet therapy dogs, insured, and up-to-date on vaccinations. 

Why are we so afraid to talk about our own death? 
Deseret News; by Holly Richardson; 4/21/25 
We are more than comfortable with true-crime and first-person shooter games, but a lot of us do not want to talk about our own mortality. ... ... A whopping 84% of the U.S. population over age 13 ... consumes true crime media, according to Edison Research. It’s the most common topic among top-ranked podcasts. First-person shooter video games are the most popular genre. ... So why is it so hard to talk about our own mortality? Maybe we think we can live forever. ... A survey done last year explored reasons why people are uncomfortable talking about death. The top reason given (37%) was that people did not want to upset others, and the second (34%) was that it is too depressing to think about. About one in five say they’ll “cross that bridge when they come to it” or that they are afraid of dying. Ten percent are afraid that talking about death will somehow make it more likely to happen.
Editor's note: While this data gives insights into communication with patients and families, Advance Directives, and community outreach, I find myself reflecting those of us who have chosen palliative, hospice, and/or grief care as our vocations. Do we protect ourselves from facing our own mortality by staying in "helper" roles, and avoiding our own human vulnerabilities? What conversations have you had with your family? What Advance Directives and legal plans do you have in place (or not)? 

7 signs at home care is needed for someone with dementia 
VeryWell Health; by Christopher Bergland; 4/25/25 
... At-home dementia care can look different for every family. Some people live alone and may get by with periodic check-ins from professionals in the dementia care community throughout the week. Others might require daily visits from Alzheimer's home care dementia services. Sometimes, a paid caregiver comes to the house daily, or unpaid loved ones provide 24/7 in-home care.

1. They Struggle With Daily Tasks ...
2. They Get Lost or Wander Off ...
3. They Fall or Face Safety Risks at Home ...
4. They Miss Meals, Skip Doses, or Forget to Pay Bills ...
5. They Seem Volatile or Easily Agitated ...
6. They Withdraw From Social Activities ...
7. The Caregiver Is Burned Out ...

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.

Prayer for patients? Readers and ethicists respond
Medscape; by Alicia Ault; 4/24/25 
... In a recent Medscape column, Andrew N. Wilner, MD, related the story of a physician offering to pray for his wife at the conclusion of a routine visit. She had no previous relationship with the clinician and only a minor complaint. Wilner found the physician’s action disturbing and wrote in his column that while there might be situations where prayer would be appropriate, his wife’s visit did not fit in that category. Some readers took issue with Wilner’s response. ... He thinks there are a lot of considerations to weigh before a doctor should ask. “Prayer is very personal, and religious beliefs are very, very personal,” said Wilner, adding that “For some people, they’re profound.” Others might be agnostic, and it is not likely possible to know all of this if there is no prior patient-doctor relationship, said Wilner.

• Pro-Prayer Responses: ... [Responding to the Medscape column,] More than half — 56% — said they believed it was appropriate for a physician to ask to pray for a patient, but only if the patient is terminal and religious. ...
• Ethicists Weigh In: ... Context is key, ... Ronald W. Pies, MD "said that given that the doctor did not know the patient or her religious beliefs, “it was somewhat presumptuous” for the clinician to have asked to pray for her.
• Pushback and Private Prayers: ... Another commenter said, “I don’t go to religious leaders for medical care, and I don’t go to medical providers for spiritual care.” He also suggested making use of a hospital chaplain .. [who has] ... training and a kind of cultural competency that is not typically in the physician’s toolbox ...

Late influencer Dominique McShain’s husband Sean pays tribute to her after death at 21
AOL.com, US Weekly; by Emily Zogbi; 4/27/25
Sean Suson, husband of late influencer Dominique McShain, is paying tribute to his late wife. “Our love can never be replicated nor erased, you will forever be a part of me, ...” Suson wrote via Instagram on Saturday, April 26. ...  People confirmed on Wednesday, April 23, that McShain had died at the age of 21 following a battle with colon cancer. In May 2024, she shared in a TikTok her diagnosis of an incurable colorectal cancer that had metastasized to her liver. ... Earlier this month, McShain delivered the sad news to her followers on social media ... “I want to be direct with you all: this will be my final update on my cancer journey until I have passed away,” McShain wrote via Instagram on April 6. “I’ve recently been given a prognosis about 5 days ago of only a few days to a few weeks to live. ... She added that she had “transitioned into end-of-life care, focusing on pain relief and managing side effects.” ... "My life may be short but I genuinely think I’ve squeezed every bit out of it,” McShain wrote.

[United Kingdom] New UK Centre hopes to change public attitudes towards grief 
University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Press Release; 4/24/25 
Grief affects everyone but is still very much a taboo subject in the UK. A new Centre - the first of its kind in the UK - hopes to shift public attitudes towards grief and create communities that are compassionate and connected in their support of people who are bereaved. The Centre for Grief Research and Community Engagement (Grief Centre) at the University of Bristol is launched today [24 April]. The Grief Centre will focus on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research into grief, death and loss, aiming to increase understanding of these fundamental aspects of being human and provide the space for new thinking, ideas and approaches.

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly. ~ Chuang Tzu