Trauma is not just an emotional experience—it is a physiological and neurological event that leaves lasting imprints on the brain. For palliative care providers, understanding these changes is vital. Patients in our care may carry a history of trauma, whether from childhood adversity, war, intimate partner violence, medical interventions,
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month—a time to celebrate the lives, stories, and strengths of individuals with Down syndrome and the families who love and support them. It's a moment to pause, learn, and reflect on what it truly means to be inclusive, to embrace diversity in
In hospice and palliative care, we often stand at the intersection of life’s most profound questions. Patients and families ask us what truly matters at the end of life and what makes life meaningful. Remarkably, one of the longest-running studies in the world gives us answers that echo what
Alzheimer’s disease disproportionately affects women. Nearly two-thirds of all patients living with Alzheimer’s are female, and while increased life expectancy explains part of this difference, it does not tell the full story. Emerging research suggests that biological factors—including differences in brain lipid metabolism—play a critical role
Introduction As palliative care providers, we often encounter patients whose decline seems sudden or inexplicable. A seemingly healthy older adult—with normal cholesterol, reasonable blood pressure, and an active lifestyle—may present with memory lapses, slowed thinking, or difficulties with daily tasks. When imaging reveals extensive white matter changes and
In palliative care, timely recognition of cognitive decline is essential for guiding treatment planning, supporting families, and aligning care with patient values. Recent research into the use of voice as a biomarker for dementia offers an exciting frontier: the ability to detect subtle cognitive changes years—sometimes a decade—before
Palliative and hospice care medicine has always centered around enhancing quality of life, prioritizing symptom control, preserving function, and supporting dignity in the face of serious, often terminal illnesses. While pharmacologic interventions are widely employed to manage pain, dyspnea, nausea, and agitation, nutritional and metabolic interventions have received comparatively less
The death of a spouse is universally recognized as one of life’s most devastating losses, often described as an emotional trauma akin to an amputation. For hospice and palliative care professionals, understanding the far-reaching impact of this loss is vital—not only for the grieving individual’s psychological well-being
Cannabis Use in Hospice and Palliative Care: Promise, Pitfalls, and Patient Education The use of cannabis for symptom management in hospice and palliative care patients is an evolving and often controversial topic. As families increasingly inquire about or even initiate cannabis use for their loved ones, healthcare providers must be
As frontline caregivers, hospice and palliative nurses often witness the body’s most profound transitions. One such transition is the sudden appearance of a Kennedy ulcer—a skin lesion that frequently serves as a visible marker of terminal decline. These ulcers, often misunderstood, carry clinical, emotional, and ethical significance. For
In the emotionally complex world of palliative and hospice care, clinicians regularly encounter patients who express a desire to die. For some, it’s a quiet longing for peace at the end of a long and burdensome illness. For others, particularly those with a history of mental illness or prior
The loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and life-altering event, and the grieving process is never one-size-fits-all. Yet for same-sex partners and LGBTQ+ families, bereavement often carries additional burdens—those shaped by social stigma, lack of legal recognition, exclusion from rituals, and a long history of marginalization.
