A study in JAMA Network Open found that palliative care discussions for adolescents and young adults with cancer often occur late. In the final 30 days of life, 57.7% had documented discussions, while 7.2% did in the final 61-90 days of life.

The projected number of US adults developing dementia annually will nearly double from 514,000 in 2020 to 1 million by 2060, with Black individuals experiencing a particularly pronounced increase, according to research published in Nature Medicine. The study, based on diverse data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, reveals a lifetime dementia risk of 42% after age 55, highlighting the need for policies promoting healthy aging and health equity.

Rural hospice providers are facing financial challenges, according to the National Alliance for Care at Home. The report highlights decreases in hospice services in rural areas, with a 1% annual declines in rural hospices from 2018 to 2022.

Patients with advanced cancer and implantable cardioverter defibrillators are more likely to receive aggressive end-of-life care, according to a study in the journal Cancer. Based on data for 37,306 patients, those with ICDs were more likely to undergo invasive procedures and be hospitalized.

A study published in Diabetes Care found diabetes medication use among older adults decreased from 66.1% in the nine to 12 months before death to 60.8% in the last four months of life. Overall, there was an increase in the number of older patients taking any diabetes medication from 2015 to 2019 but toward the end of life fewer patients were on metformin and sulfonylurease and there was increased use of insulin agents.

A study published in BMJ finds that more than half of dementia patients move to nursing homes within five years of diagnosis, with about one-third of remaining life spent in such facilities. The research, which analyzed data from 261 longitudinal studies, highlights the need for individualized care planning based on patient characteristics.

Working Daughter is an organization that aids employees balancing careers and eldercare by creating supportive workplace networks and offering resources for stress management. This initiative addresses the needs of the growing number of US caregivers, particularly women, who face emotional and logistical challenges without adequate planning or support.

Nurses often enter the profession with a strong sense of purpose, but that vision can fade over time. Nurse Keith Carlson explains how to reconnect with that original motivation by reflecting on the reasons for choosing nursing and assessing current motivations. Carlson suggests asking questions about career satisfaction and considering changes or additional training to stay inspired.

AI is being increasingly integrated into nursing to address burnout and staffing shortages, with nurses using AI for tasks such as transcription, patient monitoring and clinical decision-making. Hospitals such as Mass General Brigham, Baptist Health and Stanford Health Care have implemented AI tools to reduce administrative tasks and improve patient care, and although nurses see the potential benefits of AI, they also express concerns about ethical use and maintaining quality care and emphasize the need for education and involvement in AI development.