Literature Review
Capstone University offering Clinical Pastoral Education for hospice and palliative care chaplaincy
09/21/26 at 03:00 AMCapstone University offering Clinical Pastoral Education for hospice and palliative care chaplaincy NEWSnet; Press Release; 9/18/26 Capstone University [in University Place, WA] now offers clinical pastoral education (CPE) with a specific focus on hospice and palliative care chaplaincy. This transformative program centers on spiritual caregiving in response to aging, serious illness, dying, and bereavement. It enables chaplains to deepen their ability to provide culturally responsive, patient-led spiritual care to individuals and families throughout the end-of-life experience.
Interoperability’s blind spot: What happens to data after systems retire?
09/21/26 at 03:00 AMInteroperability’s blind spot: What happens to data after systems retire? HealthData Management; by Shawn Fichter; 9/18/26 As healthcare advances FHIR-based exchange and replaces aging applications, interoperability strategies must account for the historical records left behind—ensuring legacy data remains accessible, secure, governed and usable long after its original system leaves production. ...
Fionnuala Crowley on the palliative care gap in oncology: with specialists in short supply, oncology nurses can play a larger role
09/21/26 at 03:00 AMFionnuala Crowley on the palliative care gap in oncology: with specialists in short supply, oncology nurses can play a larger role Medpage Today; by Jeff Minerd; 9/18/26 Because many patients with cancer are not receiving adequate palliative care from specialists, primary oncology care teams may need to step up to fill the gap, said authors of a "Comments and Controversies" article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. "Even if cancer centers have palliative care services, the capacity of these services is often insufficient," Fionnuala Crowley, MD, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, and colleagues wrote. Furthermore, research suggests that the need for palliative care specialists is outpacing supply and there will be serious shortages by 2040, the team added.
2027 trends to watch: Distributed care will drive the next phase of healthcare delivery
09/21/26 at 03:00 AM2027 trends to watch: Distributed care will drive the next phase of healthcare delivery Definitive Healthcare; by Ethan Popowitz; 9/17/26 Healthcare delivery has never been confined to a single setting. But the number of places where patients can receive care, and the range of services available outside the hospital, have grown in recent years. Today, a single patient journey might include a primary care visit, diagnostic imaging at an outpatient center, a procedure at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), a virtual follow-up, and remote monitoring from home. ... This more distributed model of healthcare delivery is being shaped by several forces at once, from advances in medical technology and economic pressures to workforce shortages and more.
Nearly 700 turn out for St. Charles Running Festival and raises nearly $30K for Hospice of the Chesapeake
09/21/26 at 03:00 AMNearly 700 turn out for St. Charles Running Festival and raises nearly $30K for Hospice of the Chesapeake Southern Maryland News Net; by Elizabeth Marcussen; 9/18/26 Hospice of the Chesapeake was honored to once again to be included as the official charity partner for the St. Charles Running Festival, presented by Lennar. Hundreds of runners, walkers and neighbors gathered on Sept. 12 at the Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland, for a morning of competition, camaraderie and community giving. ... Once again, the festival rallied to raise tens of thousands of dollars for its official charity partner. With nearly 700 participants and many generous sponsors, the event delivered nearly $30,000 to support patients and families facing serious illness and grief in Charles County.
Valley Oaks Health awarded $828,375 GROW grant to expand rural health access across northwest central Indiana
09/21/26 at 03:00 AMValley Oaks Health awarded $828,375 GROW grant to expand rural health access across northwest central Indiana PR Newswire, Lafayette, IN; 9/17/26 Valley Oaks Health announced today that it has been awarded $828,375 through the Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being (GROW) Region 3 Grant initiative to strengthen access to integrated healthcare services across rural communities in northwest central Indiana. The funding is part of the Indiana Rural Health Transformation Program (Indiana RHTP), a statewide initiative designed to improve healthcare access, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, promote innovation, and support strategic partnerships that improve the health and well-being of Hoosiers.
Hospices’ top legislative priorities
09/21/26 at 03:00 AMHospices’ top legislative priorities Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 9/18/26As the midterm elections approach, hospices have unfinished business in the halls of Congress. Providers have identified several high priority pieces of legislation they would like to see passed before this Congress ends in December, according to healthcare leaders attending the National Alliance for Care at Home’s Advocacy Week on Capitol Hill. Most of these are oriented around the common theme of preserving access to home-based care. “Care at home already has bipartisan support and recognition as a cost-effective, patient-preferred solution,” said Jennifer Sheets, CEO of the Alliance, in a statement. “As demand continues to grow, we are committed to being a strong partner with Congress to help federal policy grow with it.”
LA County fraud: stolen IDs fuel California hospice fraud
09/21/26 at 03:00 AMLA County fraud: stolen IDs fuel California hospice fraudFilm Daily; by Simone Barbon; 9/20/26 Stolen identities turned Medi-Cal hospice billing into a $267 million cash machine in LA County, with no patients and no care behind any of the claims. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the arrests last week after Operation Skip Trace dismantled the largest single scheme of its kind. The case shows how dark-web data, shell companies, and weak licensing rules let a handful of operators loot state and federal funds on an industrial scale. The ring bought names, Social Security numbers, and birth dates of non-California residents from dark-web sellers. They used the stolen profiles to open Medi-Cal accounts through Covered California portals. ...
Granddad, 82, to take on 10k as part of family team
09/21/26 at 03:00 AMGranddad, 82, to take on 10k as part of family team BC News, West of England; by Dawn Limbu; 9/19/26 An 82-year-old grandfather is set to be the oldest charity runner at this year's annual Run Cheltenham 10k race. Dave Cant, from Cheltenham, will run alongside his two daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren to raise money for Sue Ryder, the palliative care and bereavement charity he has volunteered with for 17 years.
Over 150 advocates convene on Capitol Hill to champion care at home
09/21/26 at 02:00 AMOver 150 advocates convene on Capitol Hill to champion care at home National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 9/16/26 This week, more than 150 care at home advocates from across the country met with 285 congressional offices to discuss key legislative and regulatory priorities for expanding and protecting access to care at home. The meetings were part of the 2026 National Alliance for Care at Home Advocacy Week, an important opportunity to unite the entire care at home continuum under one voice.
9/11 Remembrances Today
09/20/26 at 03:55 AM9/11 Remembrances TodayHospice and Palliative Care Today; compiled by Joy Berger; 9/10/26 In hospice and palliative care, we understand grief's long reach — the "normal" losses we companion daily, and the tragic ones that live on in us for a lifetime. Today marks 25 years since that morning.
Medicare moments: The scarcity of Medicare caregiver benefits
09/20/26 at 03:50 AMMedicare moments: The scarcity of Medicare caregiver benefits Allied News; by Joel Mekler; 9/14/26 ... AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving released the 2025 Caregiving in the U.S. report, their newest update since 2020. This comprehensive document offers an in-depth look at the evolving landscape of family caregiving for adults, highlighting key trends, challenges, and potential reforms. A key discovery is the swift growth in family caregiving. Almost 25% of adults — 63 million Americans — spent the last year caring for an adult (59 million) or a child (4 million) with complex medical needs or disabilities, marking a 45% increase since 2015. This trend underscores the essential role of family caregivers and exposes systemic shortcomings that place significant burdens on them, highlighting the pressing need for reforms.
Hospice Home & Garden Tour raises $40K+ for Granite VNA
09/20/26 at 03:45 AMHospice Home & Garden Tour raises $40K+ for Granite VNA The Laconia Daily Sun, Laconia, NH; Press Release; 9/15/26 Nearly 500 attendees explored four exceptional properties in East Alton and Wolfeboro during Granite VNA’s annual Hospice Home & Garden Tour on July 15. The tour raised more than $40,000 to support the agency’s hospice services. Guests enjoyed an afternoon experiencing rich history through architecture and thoughtfully designed and renovated interiors and taking in stunning views of Lake Winnipesaukee from three of the properties.
Former VA nurse charged with intentionally abusing hospice patient
09/20/26 at 03:40 AMFormer VA nurse charged with intentionally abusing hospice patient News 8 Now, La Crosse/Toma, WI; by Sam Shilts; 9/10/26 A former registered nurse at the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center faces a felony charge after prosecutors say she intentionally removed oxygen from a dying hospice patient, causing him great bodily harm. Beth Marie Holtz, 53, of New Berlin, was charged Wednesday in Monroe County court with intentionally abusing a patient causing great bodily harm. An arrest warrant was issued the same day. According to the criminal complaint, the incident occurred Aug. 17, 2025, involving a 75-year-old patient who had been admitted to hospice with pulmonary fibrosis and had a medical order for continuous oxygen supply.
Inspiring a culture of ownership through mutual accountability-A health care system's approach to connecting bedside expertise with boardroom strategy
09/20/26 at 03:35 AMInspiring a culture of ownership through mutual accountability-A health care system's approach to connecting bedside expertise with boardroom strategyNursing Management; by Torry Robinson, Stuart Downs; 8/26A health care system's approach to integrating the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Healthy Work Environment (HWE) standards across organizational levels demonstrates a replicable pathway for aligning bedside expertise with boardroom strategy, an essential linkage in organizational strategic planning. This article describes one health care system's 3-year journey in embedding the HWE framework throughout the deployment of the nursing strategy. Following operationalization of HWE as a component of the nursing strategic framework, the health care system achieved sustained improvement across all domains of the Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT), bolstering an organizational commitment to continuously improve and measure practice-environment health. This transparent, high-visibility approach emphasizes accountability from the Chief Nurse Executive to frontline nurses, underpinning a shared commitment that aligns clinical practice with organizational strategy. Organizations that embed HWE into their nursing strategic plan empower nurses at every level to shape and share ownership of the practice environment.
LifeCare Home Health & Hospice Family launches new website to make finding home-based care easier
09/20/26 at 03:30 AMLifeCare Home Health & Hospice Family launches new website to make finding home-based care easier The Best Times, Irving, TX; by LifeCare Home Health Family; 9/14/26 LifeCare Home Health & Hospice Family has launched a new corporate website designed to make it easier for patients, families, referral partners and healthcare professionals to understand LifeCare's growing family of companies and connect with home health, hospice and in-home care services in their communities. Introduced earlier this year, the new website at lchhfamily.com serves as a centralized digital resource for LifeCare's network of locally operated healthcare organizations.
U.S. hospices with a 5-star CMS family caregiver survey rating
09/20/26 at 03:25 AMU.S. hospices with a 5-star CMS family caregiver survey ratingHospice & Palliative Care Today; 9/6/26... This list was compiled directly from CMS's official downloadable dataset — "Hospice care – Provider CAHPS Hospice Survey Data" (August 2026 release) — available on the CMS Provider Data Catalog. Every hospice below has a "SUMMARY_STAR_RATING" (Family Caregiver Survey Rating) of 5 out of 5 in that file. You can look up any individual hospice, or search by ZIP code, on Care Compare.
Retired educator gives back to grieving children at Camp Braveheart
09/20/26 at 03:20 AMRetired educator gives back to grieving children at Camp Braveheart WJAR-10, NBC, Cranston, RI; by Patrice Wood; 9/9/26 Young hearts come together at Camp Braveheart in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. And the first person to greet them when they get off the bus is Harry Potter. Potter is a retired Rhode Island school educator with a famous name and a heart of gold. They come Camp Braveheart to begin to heal after the death of a loved one. Braveheart is now in its 20th year and much of that time, Potter has been a trusted counselor. "The little kids think I'm magical. You see them running around the camp saying, 'Harry Potter, Harry Potter,'" Potter said. That connection eventually opens the door for a more serious conversation.
Perceived importance of good death components among patients with advanced cancer and family caregivers
09/20/26 at 03:15 AMPerceived importance of good death components among patients with advanced cancer and family caregivers JAMA Network; by Hammoda Abu-Odah, PhD, Gulbeyaz Can, PhD, Sotirios Plakas, PhD, Juanjuan Zhao, PhD, Xixi Wang, MSN, Alexandros Stergiou, MSc(c), Ourania Govina, PhD, Kimya Kilicaslan, PhD, Bahar Ozdemir, MD, Matthew J. Allsop, PhD, Mitsunori Miyashita, PhD, Alex Molassiotis, PhD, Janelle Yorke, PhD, and Frances Kam Yuet Wong, PhD; 9/14/26Importance: Although the concept of a good death is central to palliative care policy and practice, empirical evidence is largely derived from high-income Western or single-country contexts, limiting cross-setting relevance.Objective: To determine the importance of good death components, compare priorities across settings, and examine patient–caregiver differences and setting-by-role interactions. ... Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, patients with advanced cancer and family caregivers across 5 settings shared a broad aspiration for a good death, but priorities varied across settings. Emotional peace, dignity, and family connection were consistently highly valued. These findings suggest that culturally sensitive palliative care models should recognize both shared end-of-life priorities and setting-specific meanings of a good death.
Hospice Alliance marks 45 years of care Sept. 25
09/20/26 at 03:10 AMHospice Alliance marks 45 years of care Sept. 25 Racine County Eye, Pleasant Prairie, WI; 9/14/26 Hospice Alliance is celebrating 45 years of serving families in southeastern Wisconsin, marking an anniversary that dates to Sept. 25, 1981, when community members founded the organization to expand access to end-of-life care and family support. ... The organization’s services include care provided in private homes, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, as well as at its Hospice Alliance Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie, according to the announcement. The nonprofit said it remains guided by a mission of “Adding Life to Days” and provides care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
CMS posts revised Model Election Statement and Addendum
09/20/26 at 03:05 AMCMS posts revised Model Election Statement and Addendum CMS; compiled by Guest Editor, Judi Lund Person; 9/10/26 CMS has posted the revised model election statement and addendum to the CMS website, which includes language for the mandatory addendum effective October 1, 2026. Hospice providers can use these model forms as the guide to the revised form. Pay particular attention to using the forms with an August 2026 date.
I have learned a great deal from losing...
09/20/26 at 03:00 AMI don't think I've ever learned any deep, lasting, like-changing lessons on the crest of success. I have learned very little from winng, but I have learned a great deal from losing. ~Dr. Chuck Swindoll
Sunday newsletters
09/20/26 at 03:00 AMSunday newsletters focus on headlines and top read stories of the last week (in order) - enjoy!
Aviva Senior Living partners with Empath Tidewell Hospice to support Tikvah, Sarasota’s first Jewish hospice program
09/20/26 at 03:00 AMAviva Senior Living partners with Empath Tidewell Hospice to support Tikvah, Sarasota’s first Jewish hospice program NEWSnet, Sarasota, FL; by EIN Presswire; 9/15/26 Aviva Senior Living is proud to partner with Empath Tidewell Hospice, Sarasota’s leading provider of end-of-life care, to launch a new Jewish hospice program called Tikvah. Led by Sepi Ackerman, Director of Jewish Community Development at Tidewell Hospice, Tikvah is the first program of its kind in Sarasota. It offers specialized services to honor the wishes of Jewish patients and help keep them comfortable during their final days. ... The program provides many services, such as service boxes that bring religious traditions like Shabbat to a patient’s bedside, on-call clergy through a coalition of local rabbis, Jewish vigils, Jewish music, and more. Patients and families can join Tikvah for free as part of their existing Tidewell care.