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
It was 9:12 a.m. on a Friday when my cellphone rang. On the line was a primary care colleague—one of those overbooked, overworked, and too often undervalued physicians who quietly form the backbone of our healthcare system. For them to call me directly during a packed clinic
We spend much of our lives preparing for beginnings — birth, school, jobs, marriages — yet most of us arrive at life’s end with little understanding of what the process of dying actually looks like. For families, it can feel like a storm without a map. For clinicians, especially those outside
In a world driven by data, deadlines, and diagnostics, humanism in medicine can sometimes feel like a quiet whisper in a crowded room. Yet, in hospice and palliative care, humanism is not just present—it’s the pulse. At its core, humanism in palliative care is the unwavering belief that
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
In cardiology, national guidelines already recommend that every patient receiving a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) also receive a palliative care consult. The rationale is both evidence-based and deeply humane: when a person is about to commit to a complex, life-prolonging technology, they deserve the dignity of informed, values-based decision-making.
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.