Editor Introduction.

Welcome to another issue! In a look ahead to the final issue of this volume, the issue will contain reflections and practice concepts and innovations manuscripts that were submitted in response to a “call” pertaining to trauma-informed practice within endof-life and palliative care. This issue begins with the thoughtful reflections of three authors: Demerjian, Abrams and Olsen. I am always impressed with these reflections that definitely give pause to spur on our own reflection or to learn a new or different way to view. This issue’s “Practice Concepts and Innovations,” brings awareness to a vital part of communication and quality of life and near the end of life: the ability to hear. Hughes describes a hearing aid loan program that provided hearing aids to individuals to their benefit as well as their caregivers. The author discusses the intervention, partnerships formed and challenges identified in implementing this type of program. Social workers may wish to consider designing a similar problem with partners as a resource for hearing loss within hospice and palliative care settings. The first of the research articles, highlights the prevalence of end-stage renal and the experiences of individuals in hemodialysis. Because ESRD is a chronic illness with deterioration in kidney function over time, even with following treatment plans, it often comes with many physical and psychosocial stressors. Powathil & AR describe a qualitative study conducted in a dialysis center in India. The participants described their decline in physical functioning and psychosocial concerns, including social support system changes and economic hardships. The authors place these results within their cultural context. What remains similar is the need for social work interventions to help individuals and families cope with the stressors of this end stage disease. When someone has a serious illness, it seems most would assume that treatment of the illness should bring about at least some relief from symptoms that may be causing distress. It is often not widely acknowledged by health care professionals that there are other factors that could interfere with treatment, such as homelessness. Johnson and colleagues present a study examining the common experiences that people who have unstable housing and a concurrent serious illness may face while living with the illness and seeking treatment. The authors then craft these common experiences found into a typology of pathways that may be seen. These include aging and dying within the housing care system, frequent transitions, “use” of health facilities as housing and stable housing seen as palliative (providing comfort). Practitioners and policy advocates can utilize this typology to bring further attention to this growing problem. Next, Bennett and colleagues share a methodology utilized for a rapid needs assessment that was used for a nonprofit community-based hospice wellness center. Multiple methods of data collection was used and included multiple stakeholders. They provide this methodology as an example within the Canadian hospice system context and may provide a roadmap for other agencies within Canada but much of the techniques may also transfer to other health system and community contexts. Programming options and program evaluation recommendations are offered.