Literature Review
ArcHouse CEO: ensuring safe, speedy hospice admissions
11/01/26 at 03:45 AMArcHouse CEO: ensuring safe, speedy hospice admissions Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/26/26 Effective and speedy admissions processes can have a significant influence on the quality of hospice care. This October, the Hospice News Elevate podcast explores the value of effective and efficient admissions, as well as the role of technology in that activity. Hospice News spoke with Paul Mocur, Jr., co-founder and CEO of ArcHouse, a pre-admission platform for care-at-home serving hospice, palliative, and home health providers.
Austin nonprofits and philanthropists making a difference
11/01/26 at 03:40 AMAustin nonprofits and philanthropists making a difference Modern Luxury, Austin, TX; by The Editors; 10/26/26 In Austin, generosity runs deep. Meet the individuals and organizations who lift lives across the city and invite all of us to share in the rewarding work. ... Project Transitions, a nonprofit founded in 1988 that provides housing, recuperative care, and hospice for people living with HIV, operates a 61-unit supportive housing community called Burnet Place. Austinite Terry Eaton, the president and chief curator of Eaton Fine Art, recently collaborated with Austin artists to curate a pro bono art collection there, extending more than two decades of support ahead of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1. projecttransitions.org
Luke’s Wings
11/01/26 at 03:35 AMLuke’s Wings Hospice Foundation of America; 10/28/26 Luke’s Wings’ Veterans in Hospice Transportation Assistance Program (H.T.A.P.) provides free flights for the loved ones of Veterans in hospice care. Through H.T.A.P., Luke’s Wings is honored to provide a final salute to these extraordinary men and women and ensure their loved ones have the opportunity to be physically present when it matters most. Join Ms. Yaede who will discuss this impactful program as well as their No Service Member Spends The Holidays Alone campaign, which helps ensure service members, Veterans, and their families can be together during the holiday season. This is a free 30-minute informational session. Continuing education not available.
Dartmouth Health study finds rural older adults have less access to intensive hospice care
11/01/26 at 03:30 AMDartmouth Health study finds rural older adults have less access to intensive hospice care The Vermont Journal, Labanon, NH; 10/28/26 Older adults living in rural communities are less likely to receive hospice care, and when they do, are less likely to receive the most intensive hospice services for severe symptoms, according to a new study led by a Dartmouth Health researcher and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The study found that 52.4% of older adults who died in urban ZIP codes received hospice care, compared with 44.8% of those in the most rural ZIP codes. ... Dr. Claire Ankuda, lead author of the study, palliative medicine physician at Dartmouth Health, and associate professor of medicine and of health policy and clinical practice at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine [said,] “What we found is that the biggest differences emerge when patients need more intensive, round-the-clock support – and that’s the gap we need to understand better.”
CMS eyes reducing UPI contractors' role in bid to directly target Medicare fraud inside health policy
11/01/26 at 03:25 AMCMS eyes reducing UPI contractors' role in bid to directly target Medicare fraud inside health policy InsideHealthPolicy; by Dorothy Mills-Gregg; 10/21/26 CMS is considering reducing the traditional role of Unified Program Integrity Contractors so it can take direct control over which providers and suppliers become targets of Medicare fraud investigations -- a move that McDermott Will & Schulte is flagging to providers and investors as potentially “one of the most significant changes to Medicare fraud enforcement in years.” The possible shift, laid out in an Oct. 5 CMS request for information on fraud defense, would reduce the traditional role of UPICs and instead have them primarily conduct CMS-directed investigations and help build administrative and enforcement cases. [Full access may be limited to a subscription]
The Washington Home invests $328K to reduce barriers to hospice care access for older adults across Washington, DC
11/01/26 at 03:20 AMThe Washington Home invests $328K to reduce barriers to hospice care access for older adults across Washington, DC NewsNet, Washington, DC; by EIN Presswire; 10/22/26 The Washington Home (TWH) has launched its Hospice Access Collaboration, a new grant initiative designed to address barriers that prevent vulnerable DC residents from accessing hospice and other end-of-life support. Through a $327,814 investment in four partner organizations: Capital Caring Health – A Chapters Health® Affiliate, Forest Hills of DC – By Goodwin Living, Joseph’s House, and Sibley Memorial Hospital – Johns Hopkins Medicine, the collaboration will expand hospice-related care for 25 older DC residents and train 200 healthcare professionals in four key areas:
Surrogate decision-making for older adults with and without dementia
11/01/26 at 03:15 AMSurrogate decision-making for older adults with and without dementiaJAMA Network Open; by Lauren Hersch Nicholas, Scott D. Halpern, Kenneth M. Langa, Mario Macis; 10/7/26In this survey study of 5965 adults, fewer respondents endorsed life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) when a hypothetical patient had dementia (22% vs 40%). LSTs were more likely to be recommended when the respondent preferred them for their own care, when patient advance directives requested them, and when physicians recommended them. The findings suggest that surrogates’ own values and assumptions about quality of life with dementia, along with documented patient wishes and clinical guidance, may contribute to their recommendations. These findings highlight the importance of preparing patients and surrogates for care decisions through explicit discussions of goals of care and decision-making roles.
Daymark Health Oncology, palliative model reduces hospitalizations, costs
11/01/26 at 03:10 AMDaymark Health Oncology, palliative model reduces hospitalizations, costs Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/26/26 An in-home and virtual supportive oncology care program by Daymark Health was associated with fewer hospital admissions and lower overall healthcare spending among patients undergoing active cancer treatment. This is according to a clinical study presented at the 2026 ASCO Quality Care Symposium on October 16. Daymark Health, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) and Brown University Health conducted the research, with co-authors from the University of Pennsylvania and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Palliative care is essential to the model, according to Daymark Health Co-Founder and Medical Director Dr. Angela Taber.
Self-disclosure pilot offers home-based care providers more clarity, but risks remain
11/01/26 at 03:05 AMSelf-disclosure pilot offers home-based care providers more clarity, but risks remain Home Health Care News; by MK Manoylov; 10/23/26 A new federal pilot program will allow healthcare companies, including home-based care providers, to self-report and rectify conduct, such as compliance issues. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Division announced the six-month self-disclosure pilot program on Thursday. The pilot provides more clarity on resolving certain civil billing violations, though concerns about repayment costs and risk exposure for small providers remain, home-based care industry experts told Home Health Care News.
The more he studies...
11/01/26 at 03:00 AMThe man, the more he studies, the more simpler he becomes, because as he studies he discovers the greatness of his ignorance. ~Aristotle
Making Halloween S.A.F.E.R. for individuals with dementia
11/01/26 at 03:00 AMMaking Halloween S.A.F.E.R. for individuals with dementia Alzheimer's Foundation of America; press release; 10/26/26 Frightful sights, scary sounds, and costumed strangers might be Halloween traditions, but they can be unsettling for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses. With October 31 approaching, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is offering tips to make Halloween S.A.F.E.R. for loved ones living with dementia. ...
Sunday newsletters
11/01/26 at 03:00 AMSunday newsletters focus on headlines and top read stories of the last week (in order) - enjoy!
Bereaved parents' experiences of virtual Storytelling Through Music: A qualitative analysis
10/31/26 at 03:40 AMBereaved parents' experiences of virtual Storytelling Through Music: A qualitative analysisJournal of Pain & Symptom Management; by Carolyn S Phillips, Sue E Morris, Erin Rodriguez, Megan Hebdon, Jason Morris, Rev Brandon Morgan, Meera Singh, Amanda Maestro, Claudia Gruber; 9/26Bereaved parents whose child died from cancer are at risk for prolonged and complicated grief, yet accessible, engaging bereavement interventions remain limited. Storytelling Through Music (STM) is a virtual, group-delivered expressive arts intervention that integrates reflective writing, psychoeducation, and therapeutic songwriting. Five interrelated themes characterized the STM experience: (1) connecting with peers and music, (2) benefits of coping through sharing, (3) expansive emotional experience ... , (4) graded exposure through the sequenced writing-storytelling-songwriting process, and (5) enduring legacy, with the final song functioning as a lasting keepsake and ongoing coping resource. STM appears to support multidimensional grief processing by combining social connection, narrative meaning-making, and music-based emotional engagement in a virtual format.
Palliative care utilization in mesothelioma: Insights from the National Inpatient Sample (2016-2020)
10/31/26 at 03:30 AMPalliative care utilization in mesothelioma: Insights from the National Inpatient Sample (2016-2020)Journal of Palliative Care; by Sangam Sangam, Tripti Jain, Pulkit Jain, Shorabh Sharma; 9/26Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal cancer with a median survival of about 1 year after diagnosis. Palliative care (PC) becomes important in improving symptom control and quality of life in cancer patients. However, there is no literature regarding specific determinants of PC utilization in hospitalized mesothelioma patients. We studied the trends and determinants in utilization of PC, and its impact on hospital costs using the National Inpatient Sample. Inpatient PC use in mesothelioma remains low but is associated with lower hospitalization costs. These findings support the need for systematic early PC integration in Mesothelioma management in a hospital setting.
Admission surprise question response and its association with advance care planning documentation and palliative care consultation: A multisite propensity-matched cohort study
10/31/26 at 03:25 AMAdmission surprise question response and its association with advance care planning documentation and palliative care consultation: A multisite propensity-matched cohort studyJournal of Palliative Medicine; by Ankita Agarwal, Kolby Johnson, Benjamin Verplanke, Lauren Messing, Heather Menzer, Veerawat Phongtankuel, Jesse Burk-Rafel; 9/26The Surprise Question (SQ) asks providers, "Would you be surprised if this patient died in the next year?". It is a tool that was developed to help providers identify patients who would benefit from palliative care (PC) interventions. [In this study] patients with an SQ response of "No" on [hospital] admission had higher odds of having ACP [advance care planning] documentation or PC [palliative care] consultation ... compared to those with a response of "Yes." In addition, patients with a "No" response had ACP documentation or PC consultation an average of 2.7 days earlier than those with a "Yes" response ...
Bridging compassion and competence: An integrative literature review on the evolving role of palliative nursing in cancer care
10/31/26 at 03:20 AMPalliative care for advanced cancer in Medicare Advantage and physician networks
10/31/26 at 03:15 AMSpirituality in end-of-life care: Tips and tools for all physicians
10/31/26 at 03:10 AMSpirituality in end-of-life care: Tips and tools for all physiciansAmerican Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine; by Derek Ross Soled, Sheila Cavanaugh, Anne Vandenhoeck, Michael Balboni; 9/26Many physicians find themselves with patients when life’s final horizon is approaching but feel ill-equipped when they cannot take the suffering away. If a patient has no discernible chance of recovery, praying for healing seems disingenuous, and yet expressing condolences seems premature. Family and friends sometimes similarly grapple with how best to convey sincere emotion without amplifying any awkwardness. End-of-life situations are often protracted and can weary clinicians and families alike with the challenge of what to say. This article discusses practical tools for physicians navigating these situations with a focus on spirituality and the role of chaplains.
[Canada] Medical assistance in dying in patients with destination-therapy left ventricular assist devices
10/31/26 at 03:05 AM[Canada] Medical assistance in dying in patients with destination-therapy left ventricular assist devicesJACC Case Reports; by Jacqueline Carverhill, Michele Bertelli, Omid Kiamanesh; 9/26Case summary: Two male patients with destination-therapy LVADs [left ventricular assist devices] received clinician-administered MAiD [medical assistance in dying]. One had refractory transfusion-dependent gastrointestinal bleeding and died in a community hospice; the other had refractory pain, anxiety, and existential suffering and died on an acute care ward. In both cases, intravenous medications were administered while the LVAD remained active, and the device was deactivated after unconsciousness and apnea were confirmed. These cases describe a practical approach to coordinating MAiD with LVAD deactivation in hospital and hospice settings. The process required advance agreement among the LVAD team, MAiD provider, and palliative care team regarding medication sequencing, responsibility for device deactivation, and anticipated alarms.
Protocol for a digital health intervention to improve behavioral rhythms and social connectedness for reducing suicide risk among older bereaved marital partners
10/31/26 at 03:05 AM[UK & Northern Ireland] What AI could not hear - Reflections on AI-assisted end-of-life communication as an international ICU fellow
10/31/26 at 03:00 AM[UK & Northern Ireland] What AI could not hear - Reflections on AI-assisted end-of-life communication as an international ICU fellowJournal of Cardiothoracic & Vascular Anesthesia; by Dr Nikita Thomas; 9/26For an internationally trained clinician adapting to a new healthcare system, AI emerged as a potentially useful supportive tool during difficult conversations. By reducing cognitive overload and providing conversational structure, it created greater space to focus on listening, pacing, and the emotional flow of the interaction. The conversation also exposed the limitations of AI-supported communication. Meaningful communication depended on interpreting silence, hesitation, grief, pacing, and the need for reassurance. Respectful pauses and culturally shaped expectations surrounding death and family communication extended beyond what the AI-generated structure could interpret. Rather than replacing the human elements of communication, the experience suggested that AI may help create more cognitive space for them.
Expert guidance on high-quality mentoring in hospice and palliative medicine research
10/31/26 at 03:00 AMExpert guidance on high-quality mentoring in hospice and palliative medicine researchJournal of Pain & Symptom Management; Karleen F. Giannitrapani, Cati Brown-Johnson, Sarina R. Isenberg, Laura Petrillo, Erica C. Kaye, AAHPM Research Committee Writing Group; 9/26Research in the field of hospice and palliative medicine (HPM) is necessarily interdisciplinary, requiring mentorship across diverse disciplines and methods to advance science. HPM research mentorship experts described key activities to improve HPM mentorship and support mentees, spanning multiple levels of action from intrapersonal to broad system change. Launching an independent HPM research career in a climate of limited funding can be supported by mentors who emphasize the joys and challenges of research, model work-life balance, and foster an environment supportive of broad collaboration and continuous improvement and support for mentor training and self-development.
Saturday newsletters
10/31/26 at 03:00 AMSaturday newsletters focus on headlines and research - enjoy!
Try to be a rainbow...
10/31/26 at 03:00 AMTry to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. ~Maya Angelou