Literature Review

Nurse diagnosed with blood cancer fulfills dying wish to see new ‘Wicked’ movie Fox 13 Tampa Bay, FL: by Jennifer Kveglis; 11/26/24 A Tampa Bay area nurse who was diagnosed with blood cancer had one dying wish – to see the new movie "Wicked" in theaters. With the help of friends and family, that wish was fulfilled on Monday. Misty Steffen is a wife and mother, and she was also HCA Florida South Shore's chief of nursing. "I've loved every day of my life being a nurse," she said. "Twenty-six years that I got to be one and serve and love and decrease anxiety and increase trust and explain." ... [Description of her serious illness trajectory ...] "It's not what I thought would be the end of my story, but I'm at peace knowing whether I live or whether I die," she said. Steffen said she, her daughter and her husband always sang songs from "Wicked" in the car. Together, they've seen the musical on Broadway twice. Her last wish was to see the new movie in theaters. "The next thing I know he's [her husband] rented out the whole room in the theater," she said. HCA Florida Brandon paramedics, where Steffen worked too, as the assistant chief of nursing, transported her in their ambulance at no charge. "He's like we've got people who are going to come take you in an ambulance to ‘Wicked,’" she said. "I just started balling and I go...'what? Why am I so deserving of that?'" Steffen will spend the coming days surrounded by loved ones, many of whom flew in from all over the country. Editor's note: While this story appears to be focused on the movie "Wicked," it's more about relationships, meaning-making, quality of life, and ... her husband rented out the "whole room in the theater"! If you--like I--enjoy this movie weekend, Misty Steffen's story gives a new meaning to giving thanks, creating new memories from old for now and ahead. From Part 2 of Wicked, "... because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

People who genuinely afraid of getting old usually display these 8 behaviors (without realizing it) Baseline; by Lucas Graham; 11/25/24 One might think aging is all about the wrinkles, the sagging skin, and that stubborn gray hair that won’t stay hidden. But in reality, it’s not those things that get under your skin. It’s the quiet, creeping fear of what aging really means. Will I still matter? Am I losing my edge? We all have moments where we cling to something that keeps us feeling young, whether it’s trying to keep up with the latest slang ... or avoiding a birthday candle count that feels a little too honest. But what if these subtle habits are really signs of something deeper? Let’s unpack the little things we do when aging feels like a four-letter word, and see what they tell us about our relationship with time.

60 harsh life realities 20-somethings don’t realize yet, according to people in their 40s boredpanda; by Viktorija Ošikaité; 11/25/24 You tend to take life for granted in your 20s, and why wouldn’t you? ... You feel invincible and perpetually ready to conquer anything. But as you grow older, you will feel Father Time’s harsh reality checks. ... These 40-somethings would know, and they are sharing their nuggets of wisdom with 20-year-olds in this Reddit thread. ...Editor's note: While this is far more pop culture than the professional information we provide, take a break and enjoy these fun (and often wise) guides. Whatever your age, what are your favorites? What would you add? Delete? Share with a 20-something in your life?

Thanksgiving reflections: Gratitude and grieving in hospice care Faith  Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, Pasadena, CA; 11/20/24 Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for joy and gratitude, but it can bring mixed emotions for families with a loved one in hospice care. In the diverse communities of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Hollywood, Faith and Hope Hospice provides compassionate guidance on how to balance grief with gratitude, helping families find moments of peace and connection during this reflective time. ... Gratitude can be a healing force, offering comfort to those grappling with loss. In hospice care, where families confront profound challenges, finding space for gratitude can significantly impact emotional and psychological well-being, fostering resilience and a sense of peace.

How to keep loved ones in hospice care included during the holidays WHSV 3, Harrisonburg, VA; by Olivia Whitehouse; 11/14/24 The holiday season can be difficult to navigate when a loved one is in hospice care. Legacy Hospice in Fishersville said there are ways to keep them included in the holiday festivities. RN Clinical Director Sarah Campbell said you can move a loved one’s bed to the living room so they can be a part of the conversation. For example, if the patient can still speak, they may ask to make their favorite meal or recipe. “They are still included in that meal, even if they may not want to eat it or be able to get up to the table — they still feel part of the process,” Campbell said. Campbell said hearing is one of the last senses to go. Even if a hospice patient can’t respond to you, she said it is important to talk to them and you should refrain from talking about them like they are not in the room. 

Nonprofit organizes free home cleanings for cancer patients The Dallas Express, Dallas, TX; by Patti Villegas; 10/27/24 When facing a serious illness, even simple tasks can become overwhelming. However, one nonprofit organization is stepping in to help alleviate some of that burden for individuals with cancer. Cleaning for a Reason, founded in 2006, has facilitated free home cleaning services for more than 57,133 cancer patients in the U.S. and Canada, providing services valued at a total of more than $19 million. The non-profit organization partners with residential cleaning companies and community volunteers to “clean the homes of cancer patients to provide hope, relief, control, and cleanliness,” the group’s website states. The volunteers’ work not only enhances the patients’ physical environment but uplifts their spirits as well.

Eight important financial questions to ask your aging parents LifeHacker; by Emily Long; 10/23/24Money conversations can be uncomfortable, but they are also essential. ... When you start asking financial questions of your parents, remember that you don't need specifics, such as dollar amounts or who is inheriting what. The purpose of these discussions is to ensure your parents' wishes are backed by a plan and to understand whether (and how) they want or need your support as they age. Their plan may also affect you directly if you have power of attorney, help with paying bills, or are expected to be a caregiver in the future.

The Tesla Bot is the future of at-home care, but not the way Elon wants you to think AndroidCentral; by Nicholas Sutrich; 10/17/24 Imagine waking up on your 91st birthday to a friendly robot companion that brings your morning coffee and a nice warm robe to start the day in. After making you breakfast, it bids you good day and heads back into the closet for a quick charge-up. At around 11 a.m., you realize there's a new pain in your leg that you haven't experienced before, so you make a quick phone call to the doctor, and, in a minute, your robot companion emerges from the closet, entirely remote-controlled by your doctor. They can run scans, have a full conversation, and even perform exams, all without you having to leave your home and go through the irritating task of trying to find transportation across town. ... Nothing replaces full face-to-face human interaction, but the ability for a fully remote-controlled robot that can be embodied by anyone with a VR headset like the Meta Quest 3 is a future I want to fully embrace.

America’s longest-serving sheriff enters hospice at age 92 Georgia Sun; by Thom Chandler; 10/17/24 Cullen Talton, Houston County Sheriff for nearly 52 years, has entered hospice care, marking the end of an era in Georgia law enforcement. Talton, 92, is the longest-serving sheriff in the United States, and his health decline was announced at the Georgia Sheriff’s Association’s annual luncheon.

Music therapist helps patients navigate end-of-life journey on Long Island CBS New York / YouTube; by Jenna DeAngelis; 10/15/24 Music therapy helps with emotional and physical health, and now the healing power of music is being brought to hospice patients on Long Island.

Gallery brings creativity to hospice care BBC News, United Kingdom; Joshua Askew; 10/6/24 A Kent gallery has partnered with a local hospice to bring creative activities and the enjoyment of art to hospice patients. The Turner Contemporary, in Margate, is holding the "Look Club" where those living with life-limiting illnesses can explore ideas and questions around exhibitions with its team. Brian Hodgson, 77, from Broadstairs, who was referred to the hospice by his neurologist, described it as "a special and emotional experience to be there with an artist, listening to them talk about their work". Pilgrims Hospices also hosts "Living Well" sessions, offering patients and their families social, creative, and educational activities. By working together, Turner Contemporary said the pair were showing the "transformative power of art in healthcare settings." It said giving patients opportunities for creative expression, social interaction and personal growth could help break the stigma around hospices being solely places for end-of-life care.

89-year-old SoCal hospice patient wished he could skydive again, so his care team made it happen ABC-7 Los Angeles, CA; by Leticia Juarez; 9/27/24 Gary Patmor has lived a life of adventure and at 89 years old, the retired aerospace engineer is showing age doesn't mean adventures have to end. So he chose to go skydiving. "Oh, it is just fun exciting," he said. While he is a man of few words, Patmor is a man with plenty of stories he could tell. He's logged more than 1,300 jumps out of civilian, military, antique and experimental aircrafts. ... He survived 38 malfunctioning parachutes and he even doubled for Steve McQueen on film.  ... His backstory has been an incredible journey he has shared with others. "He was actually also the first person to mount a Sony camera and jump out of a plane," said Jocelyn Brito, a social worker for Suncrest Hospice in Riverside where Patmor is now a patient. ... "One of the things that he wanted to do was he wanted to skydive again," said Jessica Fields with Suncrest Hospice. "So we had to make sure that we got the doctor clearance, of course, and then the skydiving company to be able to consent to that before we offered it." On Friday afternoon, Patmor boarded a plane at Sky Dive Elsinore, making him the  oldest skydiver of the day. At 13,000 feet, he took a leap, strapped to an instructor and made his descent to the ground where his wife and Suncrest Hospice staff members cheered him on.

Woman explains viral video of brother with hospice nurses before he died ABC News - GMA; Shafiq Najib; 9/20/24 Marcella Brown's little brother, Omar Mamoe, died of appendix cancer at 34. A woman explained the story behind the viral video of her brother going on a walk and having fun with the nurses during his final days in hospice before his death. In an Instagram video shared by Marcella Brown of Austin, Texas, recently, her late brother Omar Mamoe can be seen sitting in a wheelchair as he was about to exit his room accompanied by the nurses who entertained him by rapping to a song, "It Was a Good Day," by Ice Cube. The clip, which has garnered over 5 million views, was taken eight days before Mamoe died, showing how he kept his spirits high and brought smiles to those around him. Speaking to "Good Morning America," Brown said she shared the video last month because she was feeling sad at the time, thinking about her late brother. "The video came up, and it just made me feel happy, and it just reminded me that towards the end of his life, like there were these little moments that were good," she said. [Click on the title's link to view the video and read more.]Editor's note: Omar's care was provided by Hospice Austin's Christopher House. Click here (and scroll down) for a different, beautiful video story about Omar and his family.