Literature Review

Providence, Compassus finalize home health joint venture HomeCare, Renton, WA and Brentwood, TN; 3/5/25Providence, a nonprofit health system serving the Western U.S., and Compassus, a national provider of integrated home-based care services, announced they have finalized the first phase of a joint venture for home health, hospice and community-based palliative care in Alaska, Texas and Washington. The new entity will operate under the name Providence at Home with Compassus. In Lubbock, Texas, the Covenant Health hospice program that is part of the Providence family of organizations will be rebranded as Covenant Health at Home with Compassus. Under the agreement, Compassus will manage operations for the joint venture, which will include six home health locations in Alaska and Washington, and five hospice and palliative care locations in Alaska, Texas and Washington.

Uplift Hospice acquires Star of Texas Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 3/5/25Uplift Hospice has acquired Star of Texas Hospice. Financial terms were undisclosed. The transaction will bring Uplift’s average daily census up to 450 across three states — Arizona, Nevada and Texas. The two organizations first connected to discuss a potential transaction through a mutual relationship with the M&A advisory firm Agenda Health, according to Uplift Hospice’s CEO Owen Lawrie.

Parting Stone celebrates serving 10,000 families with solidified remains service Business Insider, Santa Fe, NM; Press Release; 3/5/25Parting Stone, an innovative death care company transforming the way families memorialize loved ones, is proud to announce that it has served 10,000 families with its solidified remains service. … s more families choose cremation for a loved one or pet, they seek meaningful ways to navigate grief, Parting Stone has emerged as a trailblazer in reshaping the narrative around death and memorialization. By offering a new form of remains that resembles a collection of 40–80 smooth stones, the company is helping people find comfort and connection in the grieving process. Solidified remains are a complete alternative to conventional “ashes.” … The National Funeral Directors Association predicts that by 2030, nearly 80% of Americans will choose cremation over traditional burial. Editor’s note: Click on the title’s link to see a photo.

Amid huge growth in Southern Nevada’s hospice industry, lawmaker pushes for more oversight The Nevada Independent; by Tabitha Mueller; 3/5/25 The number of licensed hospice providers in Southern Nevada jumped by more than 350 percent since 2020 — a proliferation combined with minimal industry regulation that health care experts warn harms patients and leads to fraud. To address the issue, Assm. Rebecca Edgeworth (R-Las Vegas) is sponsoring AB161, which is scheduled for a hearing Wednesday. The measure, Edgeworth said, is a way to “raise the bar” for hospice providers and protect patients. “In the last few years, there has been this horrendous influx of charlatans and flimflam artists,” Edgeworth told The Nevada Independent.

Nurse leaders can take the lead in promoting civility in the workplace Oncology Nurse Advisor; by Susan Rux, PhD, DNP, RN, FACHE; 2/28/25 Civility, the act of respecting others, especially in situations where disagreement or disparity may arise, occurs by intentionally displaying kindness and empathy. These behaviors help people to understand differences as well as uphold common ground across all social contexts. A stable foundation, afforded through civil actions, serves as a catalyst in achieving environments that promote diversity, equity, and inclusivity — the underpinnings of a culture of belonging. Nurse leaders can play a key role in creating this culture. Contrary to civility, in the healthcare setting, acts of incivility lead to increased levels of staff disengagement and turnover. Researchers have noted that a civil nursing workplace provides a safeguard against numerous professional issues, including but not limited to increased turnover rates, burnout, job dissatisfaction, and stress.

4 strategies to build trust in new technologies and drive meaningful change Kyndryl; by Farhaz Thobani; 3/3/25 Four strategies every organization can use to build trust in new technologies and drive successful transformation:

Medical student brings music to end-of-life care CBS News Mornings; by Elizabeth Cook, Analisa Novak; 3/4/25 Melanie Ambler, a Stanford medical student, uses music to comfort patients in palliative care, composing songs based on their life stories. Her work, which blends medicine and the arts, has caught the attention of leading researchers and changed her own perspective on life and death. ... [After asking the perons meaningful, relevant questions about their life, Melanie composes personalized music on the spot, in the moment. Like,]  "transport me to your favorite place on earth," or "what are you famous for within your friends or your family," and when I get that response I then can accentuate some of the drama or the emotions or the personality and energy that the patient and the family share with me. You enter these patients' lives at the end of their life. 

Qualitative analysis through the lens of minority nurses American Nurse; by Sonya Moore, PhD, RN, CRNA; Carolyn Still, PhD, RN; and Siobhan Aaron, PhD, RN; 3/4/25 Many argue that experiences of discrimination, racism, and microaggression (intentional or unintentional) serve as key barriers to the recruitment and retention of diverse nurses. Iheduru-Anderson, who interviewed 30 Black nurses, noted that despite an increase in the number of Black nurses in the U.S. workforce over time, they remain significantly underrepresented in leadership and faculty positions. The study identified several themes that contribute to lack of advancement, including maintaining White comfort, distrust, lack of role models and representation, expectations about leadership roles, and the ineffectiveness of advanced degrees in securing advancement. 

VNA Hospice NWI celebrates staff, volunteers and community at annual dinner banquet NWI.Life; by Garrett Spoor; 3/4/25 For more than half a century, VNA Hospice NWI has been assisting seniors in Northwest Indiana with hospice care and the Meals on Wheels program. The organization hosted its Annual Dinner and Awards banquet on Monday, March 3, ... “The big purpose of the annual dinner is to thank all the people who made last year possible,” [Maria Galka, director of development] said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to show our appreciation for the staff, volunteers and our supporters. We present our annual report from the past fiscal year and look forward to what's coming in the new year.” ... VNA Hospice NWI was presented with a check for $32,798 from Don Quijote Restaurante to support VNA Meals on Wheels. The Legion Riders Post #94 provided a check for $12,500 for the VNA Hospice NWI. The dinner presented plenty of awards and scholarships to recognize some of the attendees ...Editor's note: What appreciation events and awards/recognitions do your organization regularly provide for your employes, volunteers, and community? Click on this article's title to explore the scope of this organization's highly valued Annual Dinner and Awards. When you have events such as these, remember to take provide "take-out" food for your employees who are duty elsewhere, like your on-call office and hospice inpatient care.

Bride rushes wedding so dying dad can walk her down aisle Doniphan Herald, Doniphan, NE; by TImogen Howse; 3/4/25  A bride planned her wedding in less than 24 hours - so her dying dad could walk her down the aisle. Maurice Haynes, 69, is currently being cared for at St. Giles Hospice in Whittington, Staffs. [UK], ... His daughter Hannah Haynes, 29, was desperate for him to be present at her upcoming wedding - and knew Maurice had always wanted to walk her down the aisle. So she made sure her dad's dream came true. With the help of the hospice staff, Hannah and her partner, Josh, also 29, organized their special day in less than 24 hours. Carers transformed the hospice's chapel into a beautiful venue - complete with bunting and candles - and Hannah managed to secure a wedding dress on the morning of the ceremony. Just hours later, on February 18, Maurice, from Cannock, Staffs. [UK], walked Hannah down the aisle ... Hannah said: "What St Giles have done for my dad is unbelievable.

The project: This is hospice care PA Mediapoint, United Kingdom; 3/1/25 Hospice UK approached us to support the launch of their national “This is Hospice Care” campaign. The campaign aimed to raise awareness about hospice care and encourage people to leave a gift in their will to their local hospice. ... To further strengthen the campaign’s storytelling, we encouraged hospice nurses to bring objects representing the diverse services offered by hospices. Some of props included a pug to represent pet therapy, a potted plant symbolising hospice gardens and outdoor spaces, a birthday cake reflecting the sense of community and celebration within hospices, and a gift box to emphasise the theme of leaving a legacy. Bringing together nurses from twelve hospices, the shoot successfully blended visual storytelling with the core campaign messages. The imagery not only highlighted the importance of hospice care but also created compelling content for national and regional media.Editor's note: This creative initiative can be adapted easily for hospice teams (clinical and non-clinical), volunteers, and more. Click on the title's link to read more about this project's meaningful design, implementation, and outcoms.

What do the ashes symbolize in life, death, and cultural rituals? Brain Wise Mind - Symbolism; by Jodie Lawrence; 1/26/25In this article, you’ll explore the rich symbolism behind ashes, from themes of loss and renewal to connections with the cycle of life. By understanding these meanings, you can gain a deeper appreciation for how ashes play a role in various rituals and practices. Get ready to uncover the significance that lies within these seemingly simple remnants. ... Ashes symbolize a range of profound concepts, particularly in relation to life and death. You can find their meanings in various cultures and traditions, reflecting significant themes.