Literature Review
All posts tagged with “General News | Caregiver News.”
A hospice nurse made a promise—and found homes for 1,300 pets
04/10/25 at 03:15 AMA hospice nurse made a promise—and found homes for 1,300 pets Miami Herald, Miami, FL; by Jen Reeder; 4/7/25Working as a hospice nurse, Joanne Bonicelli spent years offering comfort to dying people. Then, in 1998, a request from one patient changed her life. A young woman in her 40s had a fluffy white dog named Jasper, who never left her side while she was at Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care in Colorado Springs, Colorado. One day, the woman called Joanne to her bedside. “I don’t know where Jasper will end up or who will care for him when I am gone…it’s just too painful to bear,” she told Joanne as tears streamed down her face. “I can’t die in peace worrying what will happen to him…can you euthanize him in my arms as I pass?” The heart-wrenching request stunned Joanne. She asked a veterinarian about what they could do, and after meeting Jasper, the vet’s eyes welled with tears at the prospect of putting down a healthy dog. There has to be a better way, they both agreed. [Continue reading ...]
What happens when someone passes at home? It depends
04/08/25 at 03:00 AMWhat happens when someone passes at home? It depends Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Bozeman, MT; Chris Remely "discussions with a funeral director"; 4/5/25 One of the most common questions we get asked as funeral directors is, “What happens if I pass away at home?” The answer is ... it depends. Home death is fairly common in the context of someone being on hospice care. For many individuals who have been given a difficult medical diagnosis that is terminal, they often prefer to be at home surrounded by loved ones for as long as possible. ... In this scenario, hospice will pronounce the death and work with the funeral home to transfer the individual into their care. ... However, when someone passes away at home and they are not on hospice, this is considered an “unattended death” — meaning a medical professional is not involved. In this case, the coroner’s office is required to investigate the death to determine the cause and manner of death — as well as pronounce the death. ... When someone from the coroner’s office arrives, they will do several things. They will visit with the next of kin and ask them questions about their loved one’s medical history and investigate the scene where the death occurred. Editor's note: Too often, hospices gloss over this all-important information for caregivers and families. Death is traumatic enough. Families are left in a lurch. Conflicts can erupt at the family's most vulnerable moments. Yes, timing and delivery for such sensitive information is important. Our sponsor Composing Life Out of Loss provides empathic, sensitive videos for hospice teams to use with caregivers and families, with interdisciplinary team guides for tending individuals' different readiness for education and preparation.
Experiences of family caregivers of children aged 1–23 months who have received pediatric palliative care: A systematic review with qualitative metasynthesis
04/03/25 at 03:00 AMExperiences of family caregivers of children aged 1–23 months who have received pediatric palliative care: A systematic review with qualitative metasynthesis Sigma Global Nursing Excellence - Journal of Nursing Scholarship; by Juan Manuel Vázquez Sánchez, Manuela Rodríguez Sánchez, Emilio Mota Romero, Ana Alejandra Esteban Burgos, Rafael Montoya Juárez, César Hueso Montoro, Daniel Puente Fernández; 4/1/25 This study underscores the importance of addressing the unique needs of family caregivers of children aged 1–23 months receiving pediatric palliative care (PPC), highlighting their struggles with social isolation, neglected self-care, and disrupted family life. Healthcare providers should prioritize age-specific approaches to PPC, focusing on improving communication, care coordination, and understanding of palliative care principles to better support these caregivers. [Continue reading ...]
The most personal column I’ve ever written
04/03/25 at 03:00 AMThe most personal column I’ve ever written The Times, United Kingdom; by Professor Tanya Byron; 3/31/25 ... This column will be more personal than any other I have written in my now 20 years writing for The Times. I write it four days after my sister Katrina and I lost our beloved mum, Elfie, who ... had advanced end-stage dementia. Where do we start when trying to describe the many moments of heartbreak and the challenges that come with the long goodbye we have faced with our parents? Dementia is unpredictable. We say goodbye more than once and so the pain of bereavement does not begin at the time of death. Instead it is a prolonged pain marked by gradual losses. Watching a loved one slowly fade away over months or years brings grief, exhaustion and deep emotional turmoil. Amid all this is the experience of being on a rollercoaster of loss and hope, an experience that creates huge lurches between perceptions and emotions. There are moments of clarity and regression, ... [Continue reading ...]
Hospices must ‘evolve’ to better support next generation of caregivers
04/03/25 at 03:00 AMHospices must ‘evolve’ to better support next generation of caregivers Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 3/31/25 Individuals in the millennial and generation Z (Gen Z) age groups represent a swelling proportion of today’s family caregivers. They face unique challenges when providing support for hospice patients compared to others, recent research has found. ... Understanding the competing, complex priorities of these generations is pivotal for hospices’ ability to deliver quality care, according to Nicole McCann-Davis, senior client advisor and research director at Transcend Strategy Group. [Continue reading ...]
How this thrift shop helps Virginia families in their time of need: 'They’re good people here'
04/03/25 at 03:00 AMHow this thrift shop helps Virginia families in their time of need: 'They’re good people here' CBS-6 News - Richmond, Petersburg, VA; by Wayne Covil; 3/31/25 The regulars who frequent Crater Community Hospice Thrift Shops were busy browsing for bargains on Monday. They know that some of the money they spend here goes back into their community. Crater Community Hospice runs the stores as a way for the nonprofit to raise much-needed funding. "The money we bring in to our stores goes directly to caring for our patients," Zach Holt, with Crater Community Hospice, said. "I don’t want to ever say no to a patient. I don’t want to ever say no to a patient’s need." Krystal Mansfield told CBS 6 there was a reason she chose to shop at Crater Community Hospice Thrift Shops. "[It] was a big part of my grandmother's end of time, and they took very good care of her in her last days," Mansfield said. ... Angie Dowdy shared a similar story. ... [Continue reading ...]
Study raises questions about GUIDE model’s helpfulness for caregivers of loved ones with dementia
04/02/25 at 03:00 AMStudy raises questions about GUIDE model’s helpfulness for caregivers of loved ones with dementia McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 4/1/25 The Guiding an Improve Dementia Experience may need to be fine-tuned to better serve caregivers of those living with dementia, according to a new study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. The researchers identified 565 older adults and 555 caregivers eligible for GUIDE using data from the 2022 National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving. They found that approximately half of GUIDE-eligible people with dementia received care from two or more caregivers, and about a third of these caregivers reported experiencing high caregiving strain. [Continue reading ...]
What is death positivity?
04/02/25 at 03:00 AMWhat is death positivity? Healthline; by Sarah Choi, medically reviewed by Joslyn Jelinek, LCSW, ACSW, RDDP; 3/28/25 Death positivity involves acknowledging death as simply the final phase of life. It emphasizes open discussions around death and education on the options, rights, and choices surrounding it. ... The Death Positivity Movement was coined in 2011 by funeral director Caitlin Doughty, but the sentiment existed long before — the movement’s origins date back to the 1970s, drawing on the hospice movement. ... Elements of the Death Positivity Movement:
Stetson University professor joins millions of Americans as she embraces caregiver role for her aging parents
04/02/25 at 02:00 AMStetson University professor joins millions of Americans as she embraces caregiver role for her aging parents Spectrum News 13, Orlando/Deland, FL; by Nicole Griffin and Devin Martin; 3/31/25 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 10 million Americans act as unpaid caregivers for an elderly parent on a regular basis. Millions in that group not only have a full- or part-time job, they are also part of the so-called “sandwich generation” — people who find themselves supporting their children and parents at the same time. ... Stetson University professor Wendy Anderson is part of that group. ... She has moved in with her parents to help care for her elderly father and mother, who is in at-home hospice care. [Continue reading ...]
Dana Trabulsy bill aims to help families get death certificates faster
03/31/25 at 03:00 AMDana Trabulsy bill aims to help families get death certificates faster Florida Politics; by Gabrielle Russon; 3/27/25 'This will solve a problem and be able to help these families move on sooner with the things that they need to do to start healing.'Families whose loved ones die in hospice are often stuck waiting for death certificates because of a backlog. One lawmaker wants to speed up the process to help them get the documents they need. Fort Pierce Republican Rep. Dana Trabulsy is pushing a bill that would allow advanced practice registered nurses providing hospice care to sign death certificates with a physician’s protocol. HB 647 passed its first committee stop Thursday with a 17-0 vote in front of the Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee.
New musical asks, 'How do we deal with the end?' (with a singalong)
03/28/25 at 03:00 AMNew musical asks, 'How do we deal with the end?' (with a singalong)Edge Media Network; by Kilian Melloy; 3/25/25 Worcester, Massachusetts natives and brothers Daniel Lazour and Patrick Lazour started making theater when they were still kids, ... "It was a really beautiful coming together of the whole [theater] community to do these shows," Daniel adds. That communal spirit lives on in the brothers' latest work, "Night Side Songs," a production of the American Repertory Theater that's scheduled to play ... from March 27 – April 6 [and] April 8 - 20. Bringing audiences together for a full-length play that makes singing an integral part of the experience – the songs are written to be easy for the audience to sing and to participate in performing, much like hymns at a church service, the brothers say – "Night Side Songs" makes a cathartic shared experience from the story of Yasmine (Brooke Ishibashi), a woman facing cancer and chemotherapy but finding love, meaning, and her own voice as part of the journey. [Continue reading ...]
Saying goodbye to Dad
03/28/25 at 03:00 AMSaying goodbye to Dad MidlandsLife; by Jeff Becraft; 3/27/25 I know my last article talked about my Dad moving on to Higher Ground, but while it is still fresh on my mind, I’m going to delve into the process of saying goodbye. Perhaps it will resonate with someone who has already been down this path… or maybe someone who will be going down this path. I know that many people have been on a longer road than what I am going to describe. I won’t try to cover everything and there are some very significant things that are left out because of space; I will be simply giving my perspective on the overall experience of the last days. [Continue reading ...]Editor's note: If you have to dive into only one article today, this is the one. If you have experienced the vigil of a loved one's final days, this likely gives voice to your journey: "Each day we thought was going to be Dad’s last. It was certainly a time of changing emotions." If you have not experienced this, read to learn common rhythms and themes, dissonances harmonies, and final release into death. Thank you Jeff Becraft for your meaningful reflection.
Thompson Scholars and AdventHealth host successful Health Equity Health Fair
03/28/25 at 03:00 AMThompson Scholars and AdventHealth host successful Health Equity Health Fair AdventHealth Manchester, Manchester, KY; by Christina Couch; 3/25/25 The Thompson Scholars Foundation and AdventHealth are proud to announce the successful completion of the Health Equity Health Fair held [March 24] ... in Manchester, KY. With over 250 participants, the event brought together medical professionals, community representatives, and attendees to address health disparities and promote wellness within the community. The Health Equity Health Fair featured a wide range of activities and resources, including: ... Hospice Care ...
Executive producer Bradley Cooper's film Caregiving to premiere on PBS for nationwide broadcast June 24, streaming begins May 27
03/26/25 at 03:00 AMExecutive producer Bradley Cooper's film Caregiving to premiere on PBS for nationwide broadcast June 24, streaming begins May 27ABC WHTM-27, Harrisburg, PA; 3/20/25 PBS and WETA Washington, DC, today announced that Caregiving, the documentary created with executive producer Bradley Cooper highlighting the challenges and triumphs of caregiving in America, will premiere Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings), and on the PBS YouTube Channel. Caregiving will be available to stream on PBS.org and the PBS App beginning Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Award-winning actress Uzo Aduba (The Residence, Painkiller, Orange is the New Black) was also announced as the film's narrator, bringing her own experience as a caregiver for her mother to the project. The two-hour documentary is centered on the personal experiences of caregivers providing for loved ones, and the challenges and triumph they face each day. These stories are interwoven with the broader context of the cultural and economic conditions in the U.S., leading to a care system tipping into crisis. [Continue reading ... including "Bradley Cooper Invites the Public to Share Their Caregiving Story]
Trellis Supportive Care to host day of support for caregivers
03/25/25 at 03:00 AMTrellis Supportive Care to host day of support for caregiversThe Chronicle, Winston-Salem, NC; by WS Chronicle; 3/22/25 Trellis Supportive Care is hosting a day of support for caregivers, free of charge and open to the public. The program, “Caring for You: A Day of Support for Family Caregivers,” is set for Friday, April 4, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness in Winston-Salem. This full-day program is both a retreat and educational day for caregivers. “We understand that caregivers are often unable to attend events such as this, therefore, we are removing that barrier,” shared Jacob Gordon, director of community programming with Trellis Supportive Care. For those responsible for caring for an adult family member, Trellis is arranging respite care in coordination with local partner agencies so that caregivers can attend. ... “We hope this provides an opportunity for people to regroup, rejuvenate, and leave with valuable tips for moving forward as a caregiver,” shared Gordon.
Mt. Hood Hospice to present third Grief Made Visible art exhibit in April
03/25/25 at 02:15 AMMt. Hood Hospice to present third Grief Made Visible art exhibit in April Sandy Post, West Linn, OR; by Brit Allen; 3/23/25 Aside from in-home hospice services, Mt. Hood Hospice offers numerous other resources to the community, regardless of income or if they have any other ties to the organization. Among them are grief support groups that utilize art as a tool of healing. As a result of these groups, 16 artists will have the art that they created in these groups on display at AntFarm Café & Bakery, 39140 Proctor Blvd., throughout the month of April, from April 3-30, while the cafe is open. ... “This art show creates a space that normalizes talking about mental health and grief,” said Mt. Hood Hospice Bereavement Services Director Laura Lirette. “In a culture where grief is often experienced alone and behind closed doors, our hope is that this exhibit will invite conversations about grief and supporting grievers.”
How our partnership with LovEvolve fosters the message of compassionate care
03/21/25 at 03:00 AMHow our partnership with LovEvolve fosters the message of compassionate care Carolina Caring, Newton, NC; 3/20/25 ... Founded and designed by professional artist Sunny Goode, LovEvolve is a mission-driven organization producing scarves, blankets, and swaddles which hold creative attention to color theory and the message of love. ... LovEvolve has distributed their products across thirteen hospitals nationwide, allowing over 61,000 newborns to be wrapped in love. ... Cardinal Kids [Carolina Caring's pediatric palliative medicine and hospice program] began distributing LovEvolve blankets and swaddles to our hospice patients in December 2024. Though these items are a recent addition to our story, families have already shared that these gifts bring lasting meaning to their hospice experience. These blankets are memory makers, reminding families of the impact that their child has had on this world. Sometimes, parents use the blankets whenever they spend the night with their children at the hospice house. The blankets have also been regifted to siblings as a tangible reminder of their brother or sister. The visual cue of love has been a source of peace for many of our Pediatric nurses, as well.
The Stanford Letter Project helps you discuss your end-of-life wishes
03/20/25 at 03:00 AMThe Stanford Letter Project helps you discuss your end-of-life wishesKALW 91.7 FM - Your Call, Bay Area, CA; by Rose Aguilar and Nina Kissinger; 3/18/25 On this edition of Your Call, we discuss the importance of conversations, letters, and advance directives in communicating your end-of-life care wishes to loved ones and doctors. Although 92 percent of US adults say it's important to discuss their end-of-life care wishes, only 32 percent have had this conversation, and less than one-third have advanced-care directives in place. ... The Stanford Letter Project was designed to give you the tools you need to start the process. Dr. VJ Periyakoil, the founder and director of the project, shares her insights into making end-of-life care plans and resources to help guide you through the process. ... Resources [with links to the content]:
The 1 truly difficult part about being a caregiver that often gets overlooked
03/17/25 at 03:00 AMThe 1 truly difficult part about being a caregiver that often gets overlooked HuffPost; by Kimberley Richards; 3/13/25 Emma Heming Willis, wife of actor Bruce Willis, recently talked about the needs of caregivers on social media. Experts share what to know about the vital role. ... Among the different ways society may overlook the various caregiving experiences, there’s one aspect of it that isn’t often talked about: Many times it’s an “invisible” job. ... Hemings Willis’ post sparked conversations online about caregivers and the many struggles that come with it. And experts say perhaps one of the most isolating is the issue of “invisibility. ... She said that caregiving is often seen as a “family duty,” which prevents it from “being recognized as a broader issue requiring systemic attention.” “This view is often compounded by gendered expectations, where women are traditionally expected to take on caregiving roles, leading to feelings of guilt and pressure when they seek assistance,” she said. “The lack of formal policies ... only deepens the invisibility of this vital role, making it even harder for caregivers to balance their responsibilities with their own well-being.”
[Multi-cultural] Honouring traditions: Integrating cultural wisdom into palliative care – Saif Mohammed
03/13/25 at 03:00 AM[Multi-cultural] Honouring traditions: Integrating cultural wisdom into palliative care - Saif Mohammed ehospice; by Saif Mohammed; 3/10/25[Personal Story] ... "Reflecting on this experience, I realize that caregiving is deeply embedded in tradition and culture, a natural extension of communal life." Caregiving is as old as humanity itself. One of the earliest known cases of palliative care dates back 45,000 years to Shanidar 1, a Neanderthal male found in present-day Iraq. His skeletal remains indicated severe injuries, yet he had survived for decades, suggesting that his community had cared for him. This example highlights that palliative care is a deeply human and historical practice, far predating modern medicine. Cultures around the world continue to recognize the importance of caregiving, often embedding it in traditions and religious beliefs. ... In some societies, the emphasis on independence can make caregiving more complex, as patients may refuse assistance to maintain self-sufficiency. ... Palliative care workers must be equipped to understand and respect the cultural traditions of the communities they serve. This requires training in cultural competence, which involves:
My Stories program preserves cherished memories of patients in hospice
03/12/25 at 03:00 AMMy Stories program preserves cherished memories of patients in hospice The Alpena News, Alpena, MI; by Reagan Voetberg; 3/8/25 The Hospice of Michigan in Alpena preserves the stories of patients, not in a book or photo album, but on a flashdrive. It’s called the My Stories program. Patients in hospice are given the opportunity to video record their stories and memories for their loved ones to hear once they’ve passed. Patients do not have to pay a dime to record their life stories. Alpena’s Hospice of Michigan Volunteer Program Coordinator Kristie Lukes talked about how meaningful the My Stories project is to patients and their families. Lukes coordinates volunteers to help patients with their recordings. Lukes explained further what My Stories is. “It’s a recording of the patient’s life and the stories that they want to share with family and patients,” she said. “So it becomes kind of a legacy project.”
Understanding a patient’s AI medical journey
03/10/25 at 02:00 AMUnderstanding a patient’s AI medical journey The Hastings Center; by Ian Stevens, Erin William, Jean-Christophe Bélisle-Pion, and Vardit Ravitsky; 3/5/25As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into U.S. health care, patients should know the ways in which AI is being used in their care, concludes a new paper, “Bring a ‘Patient’s Medical AI Journey’ to the Hill.” Transparency is crucial for interactions between health care providers and individual patients, as well as for systemic level uses of AI, including:
A walk in the Bywater was just the medicine I needed
03/06/25 at 03:00 AMA walk in the Bywater was just the medicine I needed NOLA.com, New Orleans, LA; by Danny Heitman; 3/2/25 Last fall, I asked Pico Iyer, a travel writer and spiritual thinker I’ve followed for years, how he keeps a sense of hope in a troubled world. Iyer touched on several points, but his parting comment is the one I remember most vividly. “During the worst days of the pandemic,” Iyer recalled, “I was asked to give a talk to a local hospice organization. At the end, the moderator asked me to offer some advice. I’m sure he was expecting something wise or sonorous or lofty. All I could say was, ‘Take a walk. If the world doesn’t look better after you do, you will almost certainly feel better.'” A few days later, Iyer’s words came back to me as my wife and I took a weekend walk in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans. ... Editor's note: Just in time for Mardi Gras, enjoy this inspirational story. Whether at work or at home, find time to use this advice, "Take a walk."
Parting Stone celebrates serving 10,000 families with solidified remains service
03/06/25 at 03:00 AMParting Stone celebrates serving 10,000 families with solidified remains service Business Insider, Santa Fe, NM; Press Release; 3/5/25Parting Stone, an innovative death care company transforming the way families memorialize loved ones, is proud to announce that it has served 10,000 families with its solidified remains service. … s more families choose cremation for a loved one or pet, they seek meaningful ways to navigate grief, Parting Stone has emerged as a trailblazer in reshaping the narrative around death and memorialization. By offering a new form of remains that resembles a collection of 40–80 smooth stones, the company is helping people find comfort and connection in the grieving process. Solidified remains are a complete alternative to conventional “ashes.” … The National Funeral Directors Association predicts that by 2030, nearly 80% of Americans will choose cremation over traditional burial. Editor’s note: Click on the title’s link to see a photo.
Bride rushes wedding so dying dad can walk her down aisle
03/05/25 at 03:00 AMBride rushes wedding so dying dad can walk her down aisle Doniphan Herald, Doniphan, NE; by TImogen Howse; 3/4/25 A bride planned her wedding in less than 24 hours - so her dying dad could walk her down the aisle. Maurice Haynes, 69, is currently being cared for at St. Giles Hospice in Whittington, Staffs. [UK], ... His daughter Hannah Haynes, 29, was desperate for him to be present at her upcoming wedding - and knew Maurice had always wanted to walk her down the aisle. So she made sure her dad's dream came true. With the help of the hospice staff, Hannah and her partner, Josh, also 29, organized their special day in less than 24 hours. Carers transformed the hospice's chapel into a beautiful venue - complete with bunting and candles - and Hannah managed to secure a wedding dress on the morning of the ceremony. Just hours later, on February 18, Maurice, from Cannock, Staffs. [UK], walked Hannah down the aisle ... Hannah said: "What St Giles have done for my dad is unbelievable.