Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Clinical News | Dementia Care News.”
Palliative care interventions for caregivers of people with advanced dementia: A meta-analysis
12/15/25 at 03:00 AMPalliative care interventions for caregivers of people with advanced dementia: A meta-analysis Sigma Global Nursing Excellence - Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing; by Ita Daryanti Saragih, Ira Suarilah, Hsun-Kuei Ko, Ice Septriani Saragih, Bih-O Lee; 12/11/25 Conclusion: Palliative care interventions were successful in reducing conflict in decision-making of caregivers of people with advanced dementia. ... Linking Evidence to Action: Future palliative care interventions for caregivers of advanced dementia patients should focus on developing the contents of palliative care materials based on evidence-based evaluations and explore strategies to improve engagement between patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
Hospitalization experiences among nursing home residents with dementia
12/09/25 at 03:00 AMHospitalization experiences among nursing home residents with dementiaJournal of the American Medical Directors Association; by Jordan M Alpert, Jeffrey D Kovach, Nicholas J Casacchia, David Harris, Ardeshir Hashmi, Luke Dogyun Kim, Silvia Perez-Protto, Matthew A Pappas, Michael B Rothberg; 12/5/25Hospital admissions among nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are burdensome, expensive, and provide limited clinical benefit. ... Conclusions and implications: Patients undergoing hospital admission suffered distressing experiences, but most patients did not have do-not-resuscitate orders, and referrals to hospice and palliative care were rare. Patients and their family members should be informed about the hospital experience before admission and offered appropriate care services.
GUIDE and beyond: Strategies for comprehensive dementia care integration
12/06/25 at 03:05 AMGUIDE and beyond: Strategies for comprehensive dementia care integrationJournal of the American Geriatrics Society; by Kristin Lees Haggerty, David B Reuben, Rebecca Stoeckle, David Bass, Malaz Boustani, Carolyn Clevenger, Ian Kremer, David R Lee, Madelyn Johnson, Morgan J Minyo, Katherine L Possin, Quincy M Samus, Lynn Spragens, Lee A Jennings, Gary Epstein-Lubow; 10/25The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model represents a landmark opportunity to improve outcomes for persons with dementia and their caregivers and scale comprehensive dementia care through a structured service delivery and alternative payment approach. Drawing from the experiences of six previously tested programs ... we describe a four-step approach to enable successful adoption and implementation: identifying key leaders and partners, preparing a tailored value proposition, initiating program start-up, and ensuring sustainable implementation. We highlight practical tools and resources to address operational challenges, including electronic health record integration, reimbursement strategies, and staff training. By focusing on evidence-based models, health systems and other providers can accelerate implementation, reduce costly emergency and institutional care, and deliver high-quality, person-centered support. This approach can help to empower GUIDE participants and others to build effective, durable, scalable comprehensive dementia care systems, ultimately advancing the goal of establishing such care as a permanent Medicare benefit.
New tool predicts dementia years before onset
12/03/25 at 03:00 AMNew tool predicts dementia years before onset Medscape; by Megan Brooks; 11/14/25 A new predictive tool combining amyloid PET data with key clinical factors estimates an individual’s lifetime risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia years before symptoms, potentially transforming the way risk is assessed. The model combines age, sex, APOE-ε4 status and findings on amyloid PET scans, with amyloid PET results having the largest effect on risk. The lifetime and 10-year absolute risk for MCI and dementia in older adults with normal cognition increased continuously with increasing centiloid value for all combinations of sex and APOE-ε4 status.
[United Kingdom] Hospice to close dementia support service
12/01/25 at 03:00 AM[United Kingdom] Hospice to close dementia support service BBC News, East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, UK; by Emma Petrie; 11/30/25 A hospice in Lincoln has announced the closure of a dementia support service because they say it is no longer financially viable. The Admiral Nurse Service, funded by St Barnabas Hospice, will close from March 2026. Admiral nurses are specialist dementia nurses who work across the UK to provide free advice and support to families and individuals living with dementia.
Benzodiazepine or antipsychotic use and mortality risk among patients with dementia in hospice care
11/22/25 at 03:00 AMBenzodiazepine or antipsychotic use and mortality risk among patients with dementia in hospice careJAMA Network Open; by Lauren B. Gerlach, Lan Zhang, Hyungjin Myra Kim, Joan Teno, Donovan T. Maust; 10/25Benzodiazepines and antipsychotics are commonly used in hospice to manage symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, and terminal delirium in people with ADRD [Alzheimer disease and related dementias], often in response to behaviors that are distressing not only to the patient but also to family caregivers and staff. While these medications can offer symptom relief, they carry risks, including falls, sedation, and confusion. In this national case-control study of nursing home residents with ADRD receiving hospice care, initiation of benzodiazepine or antipsychotic use was associated with increased 180-day mortality. While these medications may provide symptom relief in appropriate clinical scenarios, their use is associated with substantial risks. These findings highlight the need for careful prescribing decisions and the development of dementia-specific hospice prescribing guidelines.
[Sweden] Living well with dementia: A qualitative interview study on family caregivers’ call for more person- and family-centered dementia support
11/22/25 at 03:00 AM[Sweden] Living well with dementia: A qualitative interview study on family caregivers’ call for more person- and family-centered dementia supportBMC Geriatrics; by Pia Bastholm-Rahmner, Katharina Schmidt-Mende, Karin Modig, Monica Bergqvist; 10/25Family members are often the primary caregivers for individuals with dementia, but they face significant challenges in navigating health care and social services, especially as the disease progresses. Many caregivers experience loneliness, social isolation, and stress from sacrificing their own well-being. Three themes were identified [among caregivers]: (1) Struggling with conflicting emotions and social challenges - caregivers reported experiencing stress, physical exhaustion, and emotional strain due to constant availability and the challenges of managing behavioral changes, further intensified by isolation and shrinking social networks, (2) Balancing autonomy in care decisions - caregivers described the paradox of bearing full responsibility for care decisions despite having limited access to information, and, (3) Dependence on home care and nursing homes that are not adapted to needs - caregivers expressed a reliance on home care and nursing homes, yet noted that these services are often ill-equipped to address the specific demands of dementia care.
Study shows over 90% of older adults with dementia undergo burdensome interventions in their final year
11/18/25 at 03:00 AMStudy shows over 90% of older adults with dementia undergo burdensome interventions in their final year Today Headline - Medical Research; by Duke-NUS Medical School; 11/17/25 A new study by researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School has revealed that almost all community-dwelling older adults with advanced dementia in Singapore experience at least one potentially burdensome intervention in their last year of life. The findings highlight an urgent need for new strategies to support families and reduce unnecessary interventions at the end of life.
Navigating choice: Eating, drinking and decision-making at end of life for individuals with cognitive impairment
11/15/25 at 03:40 AMNavigating choice: Eating, drinking and decision-making at end of life for individuals with cognitive impairmentJournal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology; by Laura Chahdaa, Druvni Pererab, Darcy Longc, Laura Knauerb, Sanora Yonand; 10/25Current clinical guidelines offer limited direction for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) supporting eating and drinking decisions in palliative care (PC), particularly for individuals with dysphagia and co-occurring cognitive impairment. This population presents unique clinical, ethical and interpersonal challenges that often fall outside existing frameworks such as ‘Eating and Drinking with Acknowledged Risk’. This scoping review explores the key considerations for SLPs involved in end-of-life decisionmaking in these complex cases. A qualitative scoping review was conducted and analysed thematically [and] ... six overarching themes were identified: person-centred care; emotional and relational dynamics; ethical decision-making complexity; medical risk; barriers to effective clinical practice; and legal considerations. Findings reveal inconsistencies in practice and limited guidance for SLPs navigating care for individuals with cognitive impairment at the end of life.
Achieving goal-concordant care with goals of care consultations in the Emergency Department
11/13/25 at 03:00 AMAchieving goal-concordant care with goals of care consultations in the Emergency Department American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Stacy Nilsen, PhD, RN, Diane Wintz, MD, Kelly Wright, MSN, MBA, RN, Debra Poeltler, PhD, MPH, RN, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns, San Diego, CA; 10/24/25 Introduction: Time constraints may be prohibitive to adequate goals of care (GOC) discussions and could delay critical decision making in urgent or emergent situations. ... Method: A retrospective record review was conducted for patients 65 and older at a single community hospital between January and December 2023. Included patients had at least one GOC documented discussion with a nursing team called Advanced Illness Management (AIM) and were admitted or placed in observation. ... 3377 patients met the inclusion criteria. ... Conclusions: There were positive findings in LOS, ICU, and cost with AIM consultation within 24 hours of presenting to the ED, when compared to waiting for a later consultation, supporting consideration of forward-placement of GOC discussion.
Early lessons learned implementing the dementia-focused GUIDE model
11/10/25 at 03:00 AMEarly lessons learned implementing the dementia-focused GUIDE modelHealthcare Innovation; by David Raths; 11/5/25At NAACOS meeting, Bluestone ACO’s Nate Hunkins, M.P.H., described how GUIDE care navigators are complementing its advanced primary care model. Key highlights:
Effectiveness of a telephonic Aging Brain Care Model for Medicaid Home and Community Services for dementia patients and their caregivers
11/08/25 at 03:35 AMEffectiveness of a telephonic Aging Brain Care Model for Medicaid Home and Community Services for dementia patients and their caregiversJournal of the American Geriatrics Society; by Malaz A Boustani, Steven R Counsell, Anthony Perkins, Abdelfattah Alhader, Kathryn I Frank, Diana P Summanwar, Karen L Fortuna; 10/25The primary purpose of the present study was the implementation and evaluation of the ABC Community program, a community-based and telephonically administered version of the Aging Brain Care model delivered by Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) staff. This study employed a ... design with ... the main outcome measure being the total score of the Health Aging Brain Care (HABC) Monitor at 3- and 6-month follow-up. The HABC Monitor has demonstrated excellent reliability and validity in monitoring and measuring the burden of dementia symptoms and the quality of life and stress of the informal caregivers. Approximately 46% of informal caregivers who had at least mild burden at baseline had no such burden at 6 months, and 92% of those who had no stress at baseline remained burden-free at 6 months. Conclusion: The ABC community program might be a scalable collaborative dementia care model targeting socially vulnerable people living with dementia.
[Italy] Can cannabinoids alleviate behavioral symptoms in older adults with dementia? A systematic review
11/08/25 at 03:00 AM[Italy] Can cannabinoids alleviate behavioral symptoms in older adults with dementia? A systematic reviewJournal of Psychopharmacology; by Adele Ravelli, Chiara Ceolin, Mario Virgilio, Margherita Vergadoro, Maria Devita, Marina De Rui, Paolo Simioni, Giuseppe Sergi, Alessandra Coin; 10/25Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) affect patients’ and caregivers’ well-being. Cannabinoids may offer a promising therapeutic option for managing BPSD. Ten studies ... showed cannabinoids helped reduce agitation and nocturnal disturbances. In conclusion, cannabinoids show promise in managing BPSD in dementia, with good tolerability and safety.
Living with dementia report emphasizes that even those with advanced disease have stories to share
11/05/25 at 03:00 AMLiving with dementia report emphasizes that even those with advanced disease have stories to share JAMA Medical News; by Rita Rubin, MA; 10/31/25 As the average age of the US population has risen, so has the number of people living with Alzheimer disease and related dementias. And yet, dementia is still a highly stigmatized condition, a new collection of essays published by the Hastings Center for Bioethics points out. Clinicians, caregivers, and loved ones could improve the lives of the more than 7 million people in the US who are living with dementia if they only recognized that such individuals still have their own stories to tell, even when they can’t express themselves the same way they did before their symptoms appeared.
Here is what no one tells you about watching your wonderful dad slowly slipping away in front of you
10/28/25 at 03:00 AMHere is what no one tells you about watching your wonderful dad slowly slipping away in front of you HuffPost Personal; by Jill Bodach; 10/25/25 ... When I get the call at 2:30 a.m. from my dad’s nursing home, dread slaps me awake, and I answer in an almost whisper. They say, “Your father is having trouble breathing. We’ve sent him to Bridgeport Hospital.” ... In the emergency department, I am led into a waiting room. ... He is transferred to the ICU, and again I am told to wait. ... When I am finally allowed to see him, family members in other rooms look up when I walk by. Some smile and nod. A knowing. I smile back. We’re all in this together in some weird way the universe has planned. ...
Pumping irony: When the hospice is inhospitable
10/27/25 at 03:00 AMPumping irony: When the hospice is inhospitable Experience Life; by Craig Cox; 10/22/25 ... University of Michigan researchers, reviewing the health records of some 139,000 hospice patients diagnosed with dementia, found that nearly half of them were given benzodiazepines, a class of drugs designed to relieve agitation and anxiety. ... The results, in many cases, were deadly. ... “For patients who are not actively dying, patients and families may prioritize preserving cognition, communication, and function — goals that may be compromised by sedating medications,” she writes. “This further underscores the need for dementia-specific hospice interventions to help offer scalable, nonpharmacologic approaches, to equip hospice clinicians with effective alternatives.”
A qualitative study to characterize the experiences of patients and caregivers with dementia diagnostic disclosure communication and care planning
10/25/25 at 03:10 AMA qualitative study to characterize the experiences of patients and caregivers with dementia diagnostic disclosure communication and care planningJournal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology; by Joanna Paladino, Heily Chavez Granados, Jade A Connor Eruchalu, Carine Davila, Liliana Ramirez Gomez, Alissa Bernstein Sideman, Daniel Dohan, Elizabeth Lindenberger, Lindsay Dow, Ana-Maria Vranceanu, Deborah Blacker, Christine S Ritchie; 10/15/25Clinician communication at the time of a dementia diagnosis often inadequately addresses patient and caregiver needs. We aimed to characterize the communication experiences of patients and caregivers affected by dementia using an evidence-based serious illness communication framework... Dementia diagnostic disclosure would benefit from a structured yet tailored communication approach that prioritizes respectful communication, emotional support, and comprehensive care planning to meet the needs of patients and caregivers.
Traumatic brain injury in late life tied to elevated dementia risk
10/20/25 at 03:00 AMTraumatic brain injury in late life tied to elevated dementia risk Medscape; by Liz Scherer; 10/13/25 Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in late life is associated with a significant increase in the risk for new-onset dementia. The risk is especially elevated (by as much as 69%) within the first 5 years following the injury, according to newly published study findings. Though TBI, which results from direct impact or indirect force to the head, has long been recognized as a midlife risk factor for dementia, the risk that TBI poses in adults aged 65 years or older has been unclear.
The National Dementia Workforce Study: The plan for organization sample frames and data collection
10/18/25 at 03:00 AMThe National Dementia Workforce Study: The plan for organization sample frames and data collectionJournal of the American Geriatrics Society; by James Wagner, Laura M Wagner, Sheryl Zimmerman, Johanna van Tyen Silbersack Hickey, Kate Stewart, Sandi Nelson, Ji Qi, Raphael Nishimura, Piotr Dworak, Margaret Hudson, Jennifer Kelley, Heidi Guyer, Amy R Pettit, Donovan T Maust, Joanne Spetz; 9/25The National Dementia Workforce Study was designed to improve our understanding of the individuals and systems who care for people with dementia, but designing and implementing such a study is challenging due to the large number of patient care organizations, clinical and direct care roles, and locations in which care is provided. While there are national sampling frames available for federally certified nursing homes (i.e., via data from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services), there are no national sampling frames for assisted living communities or home care agencies. We describe the plan for sampling and recruitment procedures to be used in each stage and discuss limitations, including implications for coverage of the target population. Data collected through these surveys will be available to the research community.
Common hospice medications linked to higher risk of death in people with dementia
10/15/25 at 03:00 AMCommon hospice medications linked to higher risk of death in people with dementia EurkAlerts! American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS); by Michigan Medicine - University of Medicine; 10/14/25 ... [For] the growing number of Americans with dementia who enter hospice, their course is often long and unpredictable — making it especially important to ensure treatments align with each person’s goals and stage of illness. A new University of Michigan study published in JAMA Network Open finds that medications commonly prescribed to ease symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, and delirium — benzodiazepines and antipsychotics — may carry major unintended risks for people with dementia receiving hospice care. Among more than 139,000 nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias enrolled in hospice between 2014 and 2018, those who began taking a benzodiazepine or an antipsychotic after enrollment were 41% and 16% more likely to die within six months, respectively, than very similar hospice patients with dementia who did not receive these medications.
Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter sees largest turnout for annual fundraiser walk
10/14/25 at 03:00 AMAlzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter sees largest turnout for annual fundraiser walk WABI-5, Bangor, ME; by Grace Bradley; 10/11/25 For more than two decades, folks have hit the streets of Bangor to help raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s. On Saturday, Maine’s chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association says they saw the largest crowd yet of about 400 people for their largest annual fundraiser. “We provide free care and support for families and community members walking through this disease, whether it’s Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. So what we do enables us to do everything for free. But we also take a portion of that money and put it towards research,” explains Kris Baker, Development Manager of Alzheimer’s Association Maine. Editor's Note: Do you support and partner with the Alzheimer's Association?
The expanding role of family medicine in Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias
10/09/25 at 03:00 AMThe expanding role of family medicine in Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias Patient Care; by Grace Halsey; 10/7/25 [From the 2025 Family Medicine Experience conference] Family medicine's unique position in dementia management spans initial diagnosis through end-of-life care. ... Dementia Staging: Clinical Assessment and Hospice EligibilityFor practical bedside assessment and hospice determination, the Functional Assessment Staging Tool (FAST) proves particularly valuable.1 The FAST scale includes 7 main stages, progressing from no impairment (stage 1) through severe dementia requiring total care (stage 7). Stage 7 breaks down further into substages (7a-7f) that capture specific functional losses including ambulation, independent sitting, smiling, and head control. Eligibility for hospice care generally requires FAST stage 7c or beyond, indicating ... [continue reading this important criteria] Editor's Note: Leaders must understand hospice eligibility criteria when setting census goals, guiding teams, and communicating with families. Getting it wrong risks fraudulent billing, angry caregivers when live discharges occur, or too little care that comes too late. Getting it right ensures dignity, humanity, and meaningful final moments amid dementia's long goodbyes—true measures of compassionate hospice dementia care.
Older COVID-19 survivors more likely to develop new-onset dementia, study finds
10/07/25 at 03:10 AMOlder COVID-19 survivors more likely to develop new-onset dementia, study finds McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Foster Stubbs; 10/3/25 Adults 50 years and older who survived COVID-19 had higher chances of developing new-onset dementia (NOD) compared to those who were not infected, according to an October study published in npj Dementia. Researchers analyzed data from 54,757 participants aged 50 years and older obtained from the UK Biobank. The sample included 16,017 participants with COVID-19 and 38,740 non-COVID participants. The COVID-19 group consisted of participants who were infected between Jan. 31, 2020 and Feb. 28, 2021, and the median observation period was about two years.
Milton Village Open House builds community to support caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia, or other cognitive conditions
10/07/25 at 03:00 AMMilton Village Open House builds community to support caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia, or other cognitive conditions GreatNews.Life; by Lauren Grasham; 10/6/25 To help healthcare providers better understand the numerous resources available, Milton Village hosted an open house on Tuesday, September 30. Milton Village is a collaborative effort between Milton Adult Day Services (a program of the Center for Hospice Care) and Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana (a REAL Services program) to provide comprehensive care and support to individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other cognitive conditions and their caregivers. “Inviting healthcare providers to see our facility and learn more about our programs is a great way to help them understand our unique model,” said Sarah Youngs, director of Milton Adult Day Services. “As providers tour the facility and hear how our guests engage in the programming, it’s so satisfying to see them recognize what this can mean for their patients and the patients’ caregivers.”
Stamford-area seniors can now enjoy free daytime care
10/06/25 at 03:00 AMStamford-area seniors can now enjoy free daytime care Evergreen, Stamford, CT; by Evergreen Daytime Senior Care and CT Hospice; 10/3/25Thanks to a groundbreaking Medicare initiative, seniors living with dementia now qualify for benefits that help cover the cost of adult daytime care. Designed to improve quality of life, the GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) Model, offered by Connecticut Hospice's Stand By Me program, features a full range of valuable services, including care coordination, caregiver education, and an annual respite benefit for up to 25 free days at adult day centers like Evergreen Daytime Senior Care. ... "We're excited to partner with Evergreen to provide high-quality adult day services to families enrolled in the GUIDE Model program," explained Mark Olynciw, GUIDE Program Manager at Connecticut Hospice. "Having trusted partners like Evergreen ensures our families have excellent options for their respite benefits."