Tag Archives: Something special

The Tragic Death of John Rehm

NPR talk show host Diane Rehm talks about the death of her husband in 2014

For over three decades, Diane Rehm has entertained millions of listeners from her seat in front of the microphone at public radio station WAMU in Washington D.C. Now 79, Rehm has interviewed countless political and cultural figures, including Barack Obama, … Continue reading

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The Incidence of Dementia in Various Racial and Ethnic Groups

A new study looks at dementia incidence between six racial and ethnic groups over a period of 14 years

The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2011, is a multi-pronged effort to address the many challenges facing people with Alzheimer’s disease. The goals of NAPA are: to improve early diagnosis and the coordination … Continue reading

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Important Changes to California’s POLST Law

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants can now sign end-of-life orders

As of Jan. 1, 2016, nurse practitioners and physician assistants acting under the supervision of a physician are authorized under California’s newly enacted Assembly Bill 637 to sign Physician’s Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment forms. Also known as POLST, the … Continue reading

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Assessing the Quality of Death in 80 Countries Across the World

The Economist Intelligence Unit's 2015 Quality of Death Index

The 2015 Quality of Death Index, developed by the Economist Intelligence Unit, measures the availability, affordability and quality of palliative care available to adults across 80 countries around the world.  The Quality of Death Index was commissioned by a Singaporean … Continue reading

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New Eye Test May Allow Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease

Retinal scans showing preliminary promising results in the areas of early detection and treatment

An eye test is under development that may soon allow doctors to detect Alzheimer’s disease long before symptoms appear. The test, which is painless, noninvasive and inexpensive, detects the presence of beta amyloid — the substance believed to be responsible … Continue reading

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A Show of Mourning Dresses From the Past

We mourn in our own ways by not even thinking about such attire

When I came across a past installation at The Metropolitan Museum, entitled “Death Becomes Her,” I was astounded by the elaborate dresses – gowns practically! – that mourning widows (from 1815 to 1915) would wear following the death of their beloveds. … Continue reading

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