Literature Review

Risky prescribing and the epidemic of deaths from fallsJAMA Health Forum; Thomas A. Farley; 8/25In 2023, more than 41,000 individuals older than 65 years died from falls. More importantly, the mortality rate for falls among older adults in the US has more than tripled during the past 30 years. Drugs that cause drowsiness or impaired balance or coordination have been called fall risk–increasing drugs (FRIDs). The list of FRIDs is long and includes drugs such as β-blockers and anticholinergics, as well as proton pump inhibitors that may increase the risk of an injury during a fall. Four categories (opioids, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, and antidepressants) of central nervous system–active FRIDs are particularly concerning because of a combination of surging use and a strong association with falls. 

Top ten tips palliative care clinicians should know about intensive care unit consultationJournal of Palliative Medicine; by Ankita Mehta, Karen Bullock, Jillian L. Gustin, Rachel A. Hadler, Judith E. Nelson, William E. Rosa, Jennifer B. Seaman, Shelley E. Varner-Perez, Douglas B. White; 8/25Critical illness and ICU stays can be extremely distressing for patients and their loved ones. Providing palliative care in the ICU, although a standard component of comprehensive care delivery, involves understanding the individual culture of each specific ICU, collaboration with multiple providers, and interfacing with surrogate decision makers while patients may not be able to communicate and are undergoing interventions that are unfamiliar to them and loved ones. These top ten tips aim to support palliative care clinicians providing consultation in ICUs. Specifically, these tips address initial relationship building with ICU clinicians and teams to foster effective collaboration, establishing goals of care by assessing health-related values, explaining treatment options, individualizing prognostic discussions, and managing end-of-life symptoms for patients while in the ICU and throughout ICU discharge transition.

[Japan] Clinical and communication factors associated with family conflict in palliative care units: A survey of bereaved families in JapanCancer Medicine; by Jun Hamano, Kento Masukawa, Masanori Mori, Takashi Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Otani, Hiroto Ishiki, Yutaka Hatano, Isseki Maeda, Satoru Tsuneto, Yasuo Shima, Tatsuya Morita, Yoshiyuki Kizawa, Mitsunori Miyashita; 9/25Family conflict is a common problem in palliative care and has been identified as a potential barrier to providing appropriate care... Our findings suggest that abrupt clinical deterioration is associated with family conflict. Confirming patients' and families' wishes regarding CPR during hospitalization may help reduce family conflict in PCUs.

COUNTDOWN: 24 Days Until HOPE Tool Starts, October 1, 2025

Hospice Insights Podcast - Where’s the line: When does poor quality create false claims liability JDSupra; by Meg Pekarske and Jonathan Porter; 8/27/25 Substandard quality care is the subject of survey citations and lawsuits, but it has also been used by the Justice Department to support false claim liability. While historically these cases were rare, a recent multi-million dollar settlement puts “worthless services” on the radar. Join Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Jonathan Porter as they explore what the “worthless services” theory of liability is, when it has been used, and whether the recent settlement could signal a resurgence of these types of cases. 

Hospice care co. can't duck claims it covered up death Law360; by Mike Curley; 8/27/25 A Texas appeals court has thrown out wrongful death and negligence claims against a hospice care provider in a suit alleging its employees are liable for a man's death from fentanyl overdose, but allowed claims that they covered up the cause of death by falsifying patient records to proceed.

Texas expands medical marijuana access under new law KFOX-14/CBS-4, El Paso, TX; by Harrison Parker; 9/1/25, updated 9/2/25 A new law expanding Texas's Compassionate Use Program took effect today [9/1/25], allowing more residents to access medical marijuana. The expansion, under House Bill 46, now includes individuals with chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries, Crohn's disease, and those in hospice care.

70% of Americans oppose Medicare home health cuts, national poll finds National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 9/4/25A new national poll by Fabrizio Ward, commissioned by the National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance), finds that seven in ten Americans oppose the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 2026 Medicare home health proposed rule, which would slash Medicare home health funding by an additional 9%, or $1.1 billion, next year. These cuts would put lifesaving home health care for millions of Americans at risk, particularly seniors and those with disabilities, while doing nothing to address fraud, waste, and abuse occurring in the home health payment system.  

Shepherd’s Cove adds program The Advertise-Gleam, Albertville, AL, by Anthony Campbell; 9/2/25 Shepherd’s Cove Hospice is proud to announce the launch of Shepherd’s Cove Counseling, a new program that provides professional mental health services for individuals, couples and families. This exciting expansion enhances Shepherd’s Cove’s care offerings by giving the community access to licensed therapy through insurance or private pay, without affecting the organization’s long-standing commitment to maintaining access, at no cost, to grief support. “Shepherd’s Cove Counseling creates space for healing, growth, and support during life’s most challenging seasons,” said Stacey Johnson, LICSW, Community Programs Director. 

Christmas for Lorie: Carmel neighborhood lights up August NBC WTHR-13, Carmel, IN; by Scott Swan; 8/21/25 On a warm August night, Christmas lights are twinkling on a street in Carmel. "One of our favorite traditions on Windbush is to decorate every house as much as possible," said neighbor Emily Clem. We may be 125 days away from Christmas, but for the family in this house, the beauty of the holiday needs to happen now. "When I saw the lights go up last Thursday or Friday, my heart sunk because I knew what it was," said Brady Young, who lives nearby. Lorie Graves, a 50-year-old wife and mom, is on home hospice as she battles ovarian cancer. "We did the Christmas decorations in the front yard because we have a very special neighbor right down the road who is battling cancer," said Shane Best. ... And so did the neighbors.

Why palliative care is more than just end-of-life support MedPageToday's KevinMD.com; by Dr. Vishal Parackal; 9/1/25 ... Palliative care as a system requires strong interpersonal and cross-specialty communication for smooth functioning, as patients may require expert opinions from different fields to optimize their treatment plan. Patient education for systemic follow-ups and establishing a baseline of knowledge regarding their diagnosis and potential danger signs helps create a better environment for holistic care. While we focus on the physical aspects of care and diagnosis, we often fail to realize the psychological and mental impact that such conditions can have on the patient and their family. ... The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives by easing their suffering and enhancing their quality of life is profoundly fulfilling. ... Editor's Note: Excellent descriptions of palliative care.

No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it. ~ H.E. Luccock

This Calif. woman is dying of pancreatic cancer: 'Why I'm choosing to end my life in 2 days' (Exclusive)People; by Eileen Finan; 8/29/25California resident Roseana Spangler-Sims, 72, was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2024. After undergoing treatment with no improvement, she decided she wanted to end her life through California's Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) law. Spangler-Sims will ingest her lethal medication Sunday, Aug. 31. She's sharing her story with PEOPLE to raise awareness of MAID as an end-of-life option