Literature Review

"Taps" Bugle Call: USMC Drum & Bugle Corps [YouTube]YouTube, filmed at the National Mall, Washington DC, retrieved from the internet 5/22/25Editor's note: We invite you to start this Memorial Day with this reflective playing of "Taps," with backdrops of the Washington Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and more. Ongoing, we share with you these resources below for the veterans and their families whom you serve.

Memorial Day: 3:00 pm National Moment of RemembranceUSMilitary.com - A non-government, privately sponsored website; retrieved from the internet 5/22/25The day is not just about looking back but also about engaging with the present and future. It provides an opportunity for communities and individuals across the nation to come together in a shared spirit of remembrance. ... This year, as we commemorate Memorial Day, we invite you to join us in honoring the legacy of our heroes through active participation and thoughtful reflection. ... At 3:00 PM local time on Memorial Day, Americans are encouraged to pause for a moment of silence to remember and honor the fallen. The National Moment of Remembrance is a collective act of unity, acknowledging the sacrifices made for our country. Whether you are at home, at a parade, or spending time with family, take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of the day. This simple yet profound gesture serves as a nationwide expression of gratitude and respect.

Veterans honored ahead of Memorial Day with picnic hosted by Hospice of Texarkana KSLA-TV 12, Shreveport, LA; by Fred Gamble; 5/17/25 Hospice of Texarkana held its third annual Veterans Appreciation Picnic Friday (May 16) honoring the service and sacrifice of area military veterans and their families. Organizers said with Memorial Day just around the corner, the event gave attendees a time to relax and connect with each other. 

9 common Memorial Day weekend hazards that are dangerous for pets Kinship; by Dr. Shea Cox, DVM, CVPP, CHPV; 5/23/25 Memorial Day marks the (technically unofficial) start of summer. We grill, we camp out at the local parade, we take our first dips in the pool, and we generally allow vitamin D back into our lives. But before the merriment begins, there are a few concerns that pet parents should keep in mind. Otherwise, they could end up spending the long weekend in the ER waiting room while their pet is treated for an array of holiday-induced emergencies. ...  Just follow these nine tips to keep tabs on your pet this Memorial Day weekend, so the only thing you have to worry about is not burning the burgers. ...

Mount Sinai establishes Steven S. Elbaum Family Center for Caregiving Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Press Release; 5/20/25 Mount Sinai announced that it will establish the Steven S. Elbaum Family Center for Caregiving, a groundbreaking initiative designed to improve how America's health care system recognizes and supports caregivers. Allison J. Applebaum, PhD, an expert in the psychological needs of caregivers and a Professor of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, will lead the new Center. Dr. Applebaum joined Mount Sinai in early September from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she was the founding director of the Caregivers Clinic, an innovative program providing targeted psychosocial care to family caregivers of patients with cancer, from diagnosis through bereavement.  

Experts discuss what hospice and palliative care are and how they can help ideastream public media; by Leigh Barr; 5/21/25Contemplating a life-limiting or life-changing illness or even death can be difficult topics for Americans.  Last year, USA Today conducted a survey which found about 30% of Americans surveyed found it difficult to talk about or even contemplate their own mortality. When it comes to managing serious illness or the final phase of life, surveys show that a majority of Americans say they have at least heard of hospice or palliative care but most admit they may not know a lot about either topic. We're going to talk about both to begin Wednesdays “Sound of Ideas” and try to dispel some of the myths that may surround hospice and palliative care. 

Hospice volunteer donates 10,000 gift cards to cancer patients AZ Family - CBS-5, Phoenix, AZ; by Tianna Morimoto; 5/20/25 One Valley man has made a difference in times of need for those who may be losing hope by donating thousands of gift cards, and that’s Something Good. Jeff Lewis volunteers with Hospice of the Valley and was recently recognized for donating 10,000 grocery gift cards to help cancer patients in need. Jeff is a cancer survivor and has made it his mission to help those going through treatments with no family or support. He created a nonprofit called the Froth and Bubble Foundation. Every month, the foundation provides gift cards to more than 100 people in the Valley who are struggling financially. Often, these patients have to decide between paying for food, medicine or doctor bills, and these gift cards can help them with their bills or other necessities to survive. ... “These gift cards help families bridge the gap when they need food and are juggling bills and feeling stressed,” said Hospice of the Valley Executive Director Debbie Shumway. “He is a servant leader who quietly gives back and makes a huge difference, one person at a time.” Thank you, Jeff, for all you do to help others!

Navigating the Future: HOPE, Wage Index, and CMS Quality Measures Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN; podcast by Chris Comeaux with Annette Kiser and Judi Lund Person; 5/21/25 What happens when ancient philosophical questions about "the good life" collide with modern healthcare regulations?  In this compelling episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux welcomes Hospice leaders Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios, and Judi Lund Person, Principal, Lund Person & Associates LLC,  for a deep dive into the regulatory crossroads facing hospice providers. In this episode,  we discuss the FY 2026 Proposed Rule, which focused on implementing the HOPE initiative, and two RFIs (Requests for Information) that were part of it. 

[Australia] Overtreatment of older people near end of life: A qualitative scoping review of modalities, drivers, and solutionsOmega-Journal of Death and Dying; Samantha Fien, Emily Plunkett, Daniel Wadsworth, Magnolia Cardona; 4/24This study aimed to understand the drivers better to help minimise further risks of overtreatment for older people near the end of life (dysthanasia). Determinants included healthcare system factors, patient-centered care, family and caregiver, and clinician perspectives. This review confirms that despite almost two decades of recognition of the potential harms of overtreatment near the end of life, society, patients, and health systems have a role to play in reducing and addressing the determinants. We offer a range of solutions for clinicians, health service managers, and members of the public to consider.

Proposed bill would require MA to pay for hospice care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 5/21/25 Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) has introduced the Medicare Advantage Reform Act, which among other provisions would require health plans to pay for hospice care. If enacted, the bill, numbered H.R. 3467, would make wholesale changes to the Medicare Advantage program. It would mandate capitated payment models, change risk adjustment methodologies and create new exemptions for physician self-referrals, among other provisions. The potential impacts of moving hospice into Medicare Advantage at this time would be “devastating,” according to the National Alliance for Care at Home. 

Home health use remains high among beneficiaries with dementia, study findsMcKnight's Home Care; by Adam Healy; 5/19/25Medicare beneficiaries who have dementia increasingly are using home healthcare, according to a new study published Friday in JAMA Network Open... Home health utilization increased by roughly 17% among beneficiaries with dementia between 2010 and 2019 and decreased slightly between 2020 and 2022, the study found. Beneficiaries with dementia were also more likely to initiate home healthcare from community-dwelling settings, rather than from post-acute care settings.

A narrative review—Characterizing palliative care curriculum aimed at high school adolescents and young adultsIllness, Crisis and Loss; by Austin B. Elder; 4/25The aim of this narrative review is to explore the characteristics of palliative care curriculum developed for high school adolescent and young adults (AYAs). Characteristics including a variety of designs, methods, and strategies were all identified to have positive participation, feedback, and experiences from high school AYA being provided palliative care curriculum. Conclusions: The literature indicates that the use of subject matter experts within palliative care curriculum for high school students is a core characteristic in meeting the World Health Organizations recommendation to embed palliative care curriculum into public awareness strategies.