Literature Review

5 things every leader can learn from Pope Francis  Inc., by Suzanne Lucas; 4/21/25 He led the world’s largest organization with humility and a willingness to engage with different groups and hear different viewpoints. ...  [Pope Francis' death marks] the end of a papacy that influenced far more than just the Catholic Church. In his 12 years as pope, he led with a style that offers enduring leadership lessons for anyone in a position of authority, especially in business. ... While I’m not Catholic, I have followed his work in the 12 years he’s served as pope, and there are plenty of things you can learn about his leadership of the Catholic Church and apply in your life and business.

Experiences of hospice staff beyond the frontlines during COVID-19: A qualitative secondary analysis study Journal of Palliative Care and Social Practice; by Thanga Harini Sundaramoorthy, John I MacArtney, Abi Eccles; 4/12/25Three main themes were identified: (1) Blurred margins: Participants discussed facing difficulty separating work and home life and taking stresses and thoughts about work home. (2) Isolation, loneliness and social interactions ...  (3) Disruption to family and personal commitments: Some staff felt unable to see or support their parents, partners and children during the pandemic subsequently impacting their psychological and emotional well-being. Conclusion: Hospice staff compromised aspects of their personal life and family responsibilities during the pandemic to carry out their role at work. Workplaces and organisations should aim to support hospice staff more broadly to help with managing work-related pressures and balancing personal commitments in future emergency periods.Editor's note: Use this evidence-based research with your Emergency Disaster Preparedness Plans. Click here for the CMS.gov Emergency Preparedness Rule. Click here for Wisconsin's CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule Toolkit: Hospices.

Video: California firefighter ‘Living the best of these last months’ on hospice care VITAS Healthcare, Irvine, CA; Press Release; 4/28/25 “Hospice is not something that means death right away. It means health and happiness,” said Debbie Forrester, spouse and patient caregiver for former firefighter Jim Forrester of Orange County, California. In a new video, launched during Patient Experience Week, VITAS® Healthcare shares the story of a patient with terminal cancer whose life was dramatically impacted by the help of his hospice care team. Within a week of being cared for by the interdisciplinary team at VITAS, Mr. Forrester, who had been depressed and was unable to walk, began enjoying time with his grandchildren and even riding his bike again.

Hunterdon Health Auxiliary’s Splash of Sparkle raises $47,000 for Hunterdon Hospice Hunterdon Health, Flemington, NJ; Press Release; 4/22/25 On April 6th, the Hunterdon Health Auxiliary brought together supporters of Hunterdon Hospice for its signature event, Splash of Sparkle, held at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club. Guests gathered for an afternoon filled with bubbly, brunch, and giving back—raising $47,000 to support compassionate end-of-life care for patients and families across our region. ... One of the most meaningful moments of the afternoon came when Jean Hewens, a longtime friend of hospice, shared her family’s journey. Her husband, Dr. Jeremy Hewens, was a beloved family physician with Hunterdon Family Medicine at Delaware Valley for many years. ...

Why are we so afraid to talk about our own death? Deseret News; by Holly Richardson; 4/21/25 We are more than comfortable with true-crime and first-person shooter games, but a lot of us do not want to talk about our own mortality. ... ... A whopping 84% of the U.S. population over age 13 ... consumes true crime media, according to Edison Research. It’s the most common topic among top-ranked podcasts. First-person shooter video games are the most popular genre. ... So why is it so hard to talk about our own mortality? Maybe we think we can live forever. ... A survey done last year explored reasons why people are uncomfortable talking about death. The top reason given (37%) was that people did not want to upset others, and the second (34%) was that it is too depressing to think about. About one in five say they’ll “cross that bridge when they come to it” or that they are afraid of dying. Ten percent are afraid that talking about death will somehow make it more likely to happen.Editor's note: While this data gives insights into communication with patients and families, Advance Directives, and community outreach, I find myself reflecting those of us who have chosen palliative, hospice, and/or grief care as our vocations. Do we protect ourselves from facing our own mortality by staying in "helper" roles, and avoiding our own human vulnerabilities? What conversations have you had with your family? What Advance Directives and legal plans do you have in place (or not)? 

Elliot, Southern New Hampshire health systems say separate is better The New Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester, NH; by Dave Pierce; 4/25/25 Although the Elliot Hospital in Manchester and Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua are just 20 miles apart and share many similarities and goals, that hasn’t been enough to bridge an unforeseen chasm that’s widened over their seven-year partnership. This week, their parent company, SolutionHealth, which also includes Home Health & Hospice Care in Merrimack, started the separation process, holding public forums for community input. 

Late influencer Dominique McShain’s husband Sean pays tribute to her after death at 21AOL.com; by Emily Zogbi; 4/27/25Sean Suson, husband of late influencer Dominique McShain, is paying tribute to his late wife. “Our love can never be replicated nor erased, you will forever be a part of me, ...” Suson wrote via Instagram on Saturday, April 26. ...  People confirmed on Wednesday, April 23, that McShain had died at the age of 21 following a battle with colon cancer. In May 2024, she shared in a TikTok her diagnosis of an incurable colorectal cancer that had metastasized to her liver. ... Earlier this month, McShain delivered the sad news to her followers on social media ... “I want to be direct with you all: this will be my final update on my cancer journey until I have passed away,” McShain wrote via Instagram on April 6. “I’ve recently been given a prognosis about 5 days ago of only a few days to a few weeks to live. ... She added that she had “transitioned into end-of-life care, focusing on pain relief and managing side effects.” ... "My life may be short but I genuinely think I’ve squeezed every bit out of it,” McShain wrote.

Wings of remembrance: NorthBay butterfly release memorial focuses on healing hearts The Reporter, Fairfield, CA; by Robin Miller; 4/26/25Under a sky painted in soft gray, the air a cool 60-degres, families and friends gathered quietly Saturday morning for a moment both tender and powerful. They had come to NorthBay Health Hospice & Bereavement memorial butterfly release — an event born from love, loss, and the enduring process of healing. ... Before the release, Darren Paulson, a hospice chaplain with Kaiser Permanente, stepped forward to speak. ... “Each of you came here with someone,” he said, “a companion you didn’t ask for and didn’t want: grief.” He spoke of a culture uncomfortable with sorrow, one that urges us to hide our tears and move on too quickly. But grief, he reminded them, doesn’t follow a schedule.

[United Kingdom] New UK Centre hopes to change public attitudes towards grief University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Press Release; 4/24/25 Grief affects everyone but is still very much a taboo subject in the UK. A new Centre - the first of its kind in the UK - hopes to shift public attitudes towards grief and create communities that are compassionate and connected in their support of people who are bereaved. The Centre for Grief Research and Community Engagement (Grief Centre) at the University of Bristol is launched today [24 April]. The Grief Centre will focus on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research into grief, death and loss, aiming to increase understanding of these fundamental aspects of being human and provide the space for new thinking, ideas and approaches.

7 signs at home care is needed for someone with dementia VeryWell Health; by Christopher Bergland; 4/25/25 ... At-home dementia care can look different for every family. Some people live alone and may get by with periodic check-ins from professionals in the dementia care community throughout the week. Others might require daily visits from Alzheimer's home care dementia services. Sometimes, a paid caregiver comes to the house daily, or unpaid loved ones provide 24/7 in-home care.

Hospice of the Chesapeake unfurls new advanced lung care program Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/25/25 Maryland-based Hospice of the Chesapeake has unveiled a new Advanced Lung Care Program. The hospice and palliative care provider developed the program in partnership with the American Lung Association and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI). The initiative is designed to provide specialized care for patients experiencing severe symptoms from chronic lung disease, which includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis and pulmonary hypertension. 

Women of the World Club makes $8,500 donation to Hospice of Marion County Foundation ABC WCJB-20, Gainesville, FL; by Daja Clayton; 4/25/25 Hospice of Marion County Foundation has received a generous donation from a club in Marion County to help with their Hope Renovation Project. This project helps educate the public on dementia and its impacts on seniors. The donations comes after the Women of the World Club held their annual fashion show charity event last month -- they made their final donation this month. The interim Executive Director of the Hospice of Marion County Foundation says these funds will also help bring new activities for seniors with dementia.

The deep roots never doubt spring will come. ~ Marty Rubin