Literature Review
NCPA and USC launch first publicly available tool to identify pharmacy shortage areas across America
11/12/25 at 03:00 AMNCPA and USC launch first publicly available tool to identify pharmacy shortage areas across America National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), Alexandria, VA; Press Release; 11/4/25 The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), in collaboration with the University of Southern California (USC), unveiled an interactive, user-friendly pharmacy shortage area mapping tool available to the general public for the first time. Previously accessible only to select individuals and organizations, the public [can now] identify pharmacy shortage areas and understand access challenges in their local communities. ... The mapping tool reveals that approximately one in eight U.S. neighborhoods — representing millions of Americans — persistently lack convenient access to pharmacy services. In rural areas and underserved urban communities, the problem is far more severe, with some states and counties experiencing shortage rates approaching 50 percent.
The sliver of light after losing a child: Personal perspective - a child's loss can provide elusive and rare gifts.
11/12/25 at 03:00 AMThe sliver of light after losing a child: Personal perspective - a child's loss can provide elusive and rare gifts. Psychology Today; by David R Patterson PhD, ABPP; by 11/10/25 I have often said that working with patients who are dying has brought an ironic, but transient, feeling of exhilaration to my life. Most care providers who work in hospice will explain to us that people who are aware of their impending mortality have a sense of being in the present that those of us who are not so close to that inevitability can only admire from a distance. ... I don’t know whether this resonates with other parents that have lost a child, but I can say that a very clear impact of my son’s loss has been to become acutely aware of my own mortality. ... After living with my son’s death for three years, I am only just beginning to grasp the lessons that his death is teaching me.
Avera Medical Minute: Hospice care provides support and compassion for patients and families
11/12/25 at 03:00 AMAvera Medical Minute: Hospice care provides support and compassion for patients and families Dakota News Now, Sioux Falls, SD; by Dakota News Now staff; 11/10/25 Hospice care can help patients and their families focus on comfort and quality of life when treatment for an illness is no longer effective. Support from staff can come in a variety of ways, including medical, emotional, and spiritual. In this Avera Medical Minute, one family explains how choosing hospice for their loved one turned their final days into cherished moments together. ...
A new treasure arrives to downtown Menomonie
11/12/25 at 03:00 AMA new treasure arrives to downtown Menomonie Volume One, Wisconsin; 11/11/25 ... Adoray’s Treasures from the Heart (521 2nd St. E, Menomonie) — the newest addition to Adoray Home Health & Hospice’s fundraising thrift stores — opened its doors earlier this summer. In just a few short months, this second-hand boutique has captured the hearts of community members, Amber Bettinger-Lytle, Adoray’s director of marketing and development said. “Every item that comes through our doors tells a story,” Bettinger-Lytle shared. “When someone donates a household item or buys a sweater, that act of kindness ripples outward, helping us bring care, compassion and hope to someone in need.”Editor's Note: This article's tone and wording moves it from a typical sales promotion to meaning and purpose, linking past, present and future.
HPNA announces 2026 award recipients
11/12/25 at 02:00 AMHPNA announces 2026 award recipients Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA); Press Release; 11/10/25 The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) congratulates the following individuals on being selected as 2026 HPNA Award recipients.
* Care of the dying patient: Maximizing compassionate care on the battlefield
11/11/25 at 03:00 AMCare of the dying patient: Maximizing compassionate care on the battlefield Military Medicine; by Kathryn B Muir, Jeremy Edwards, Rebeccah Dindinger, Benjamin Ingram, Benjamin Baker; 11/9/25... Palliative care has also been employed throughout history on the battlefield and is a vital component of compassionate care for dying patients. Unfortunately, its use on the battlefield is an unpalatable topic with little formal documentation. ... We must prepare now to reduce the pain and suffering of dying patients on the battlefield and potentially mitigate the degree of moral injury sustained by the personnel managing those casualties. Consider ...
Hospice of Davidson County marks 40 years with podcast series
11/11/25 at 03:00 AMHospice of Davidson County marks 40 years with podcast series The Dispatch, Lexington, NC; by Jill Doss-Raines; 11/10/25 Hospice of Davidson County will join organizations nationwide in recognizing National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and celebrating 40 years in the community with the creation of a podcast. The special podcast series will highlights stories from founders, stakeholders, staff and community members who have been part of its meaningful journey.
* Difference-making factors linked to higher reach of Specialist Palliative Care among people with heart failure across a national sample of VA Medical Centers
11/11/25 at 03:00 AMDifference-making factors linked to higher reach of Specialist Palliative Care among people with heart failure across a national sample of VA Medical Centers American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Yan Zhan, PhD, RN, MBA, Edward J. Miech, EdD, Erica A. Abel, PhD, MD, and Shelli L. Feder, PhD, APRN, FPCN, FAHA; 11/10/25 Conclusion: High Specialist Palliative Care (SPC) reach among people with advanced heart failure (aHF) was linked to combinations of several modifiable factors related to staffing, cardiology involvement, and outpatient palliative care. These findings provide actionable insights into improving SPC delivery across VAMCs.Editor's Note: What education or other partnerships do you have with VA Medical Centers in your service areas? Or, what gaps for veterans exist because of a lack of VA Medical Centers? Use these "combinations of modifiable factors related to staffing, cardiology involvement, and outpatient palliative care" for your strategic planning to improve care for veterans struggling with advanced heart failure.
Hospice of Orange & Sullivan’s sixth annual community breakfast features caregivers’ emotional stories of courage, compassion and dignity
11/11/25 at 03:00 AMHospice of Orange & Sullivan’s sixth annual community breakfast features caregivers’ emotional stories of courage, compassion and dignity FocusMedia, Middletown, NY; Press Release; 11/7/25 Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc.’s Sixth Annual Community Breakfast celebrated the profound difference Hospice makes through caregivers who shared touching stories of supporting patients during their final life journey. The ”Real Stories, Real Impact” panel discussion was moderated by Eric Gatsik, President and CEO of Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties and Heather Bell-Meyer, President and CEO of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. About 115 attendees at the Barn at Villa Venezia connected, reflected and were inspired by stories of love, dignity and trust offered to patients at the end of their lives.
[Canada] Sheridan awarded over $1 million to advance research on health equity, leadership systems and unhoused care
11/11/25 at 03:00 AM[Canada] Sheridan awarded over $1 million to advance research on health equity, leadership systems and unhoused care Sheridan College, Ontario, Canada; Press Release; 11/10/25 Sheridan is advancing solutions to some of today’s most pressing social challenges — in healthcare, gender equity, and homelessness — through three applied research projects supported by more than $1 million in federal funding from the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF). ... [This funding will] support development of innovative solutions that address pressing social issues and the needs of our community: amplifying the voices of patients receiving palliative care to improve clinical trainings, empowering women with sustainable pathways to leadership and examining the impact of mobile primary care units for the homeless and underhoused.
* Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that ...
11/11/25 at 03:00 AMFour score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. ~ Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address, 1863.
Doves & Diamonds event draws record crowd
11/11/25 at 03:00 AMDoves & Diamonds event draws record crowd Beloit Daily News, Beloit, WI ; by Clint Wolf; 11/9/25 A record crowd turned out Saturday for the 21st Annual Doves & Diamonds Gala event at the Eclipse Center. Tami Scarpetta, executive director of foundation, marketing and community relations for Beloit Health System, said 354 guests had registered to attend the event, which is the largest fundraising event for Beloit Regional Hospice each year. ... “We usually raise about $100,000 each year. We are hoping to top that this year,” Scarpetta said. She said, before the event even kicked off, the bourbon raffle already had raised $12,000 in pre-sales.
Hospice care recipients of calendar fundraiser
11/11/25 at 03:00 AMHospice care recipients of calendar fundraiser The Grapevine, Martha's Vineyard, MA; by The Martha's Vineyard Times; 11/7/25 In honor of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and as an ode to his family’s personal experience, Vineyard photographer Michael Blanchard donated $5,000 to Hospice & Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard (HPCMV). The proceeds come from Blanchard’s 2026 Inspirational Calendar for the Annual Appeal, which is a dedication to the memory of his parents, who both received hospice or palliative services at the end of their lives. “Hospice was there for my family,” Blanchard said. “This donation is simply a way to say thank you and encourage others to support the work they do for our Island.”
LifeCare Home Health acquires Infinity Hospice Care
11/11/25 at 03:00 AMLifeCare Home Health acquires Infinity Hospice Care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 11/7/25 LifeCare Home Health in Nevada has acquired Infinity Hospice Care for an undisclosed amount. Infinity serves patients across Nevada and Arizona. Through the deal, LifeCare also obtains a Las Vegas-based inpatient facility. The transaction marks the company’s first entry into the Arizona marketplace. Editor's Note: LifeCare Home Health recently acquired St. Gabriel's Hospice & Palliative Care in Texas.
* "The Wounded Generation": Bearing the invisible scars of war
11/11/25 at 03:00 AM"The Wounded Generation": Bearing the invisible scars of war CBS News; by Lesley Stahl; 11/9/25 In 1984, President Reagan commemorated the 40th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy, and paid tribute to the World War II soldiers known as "The Greatest Generation." ... But in his new book, historian David Nasaw calls them "The Wounded Generation." "They are the Greatest Generation, but they returned from war, bringing wounds home with them that are invisible; they're psychic wounds," he said. "Now we know that a lot of those wounds were PTSD. But PTSD was not diagnosed for 40 years after the return of the World War II veterans. ... Nasaw said [of his own father,] "He came home smoking three or four packs of Luckys a day. He came home with a heart condition from the war. He dies at age 61. And I had never had the chance to find out what happened in Eritrea, what he went through. So, what do I do as a historian? I can't find out his story, so I jumped in to find out the story of his generation."Editor's Note: While most World War II veterans are now gone, many of today’s hospice patients—particularly those who served in combat—carry similar invisible scars. Their psychic wounds, once unnamed, often resurface in life’s final chapter. This story also echoes in their adult children, who now seek to understand the unspoken pain that shaped their families. For more insight and support—especially regarding post-9/11 veterans—see the Wounded Warriors Project.
* Hospice organizations honor veterans
11/11/25 at 03:00 AMHospice organizations honor veteransHospice & Palliative Care Today; compiled by Joy Berger; 11/10/25 We honor all veterans today with these samples of ways that hospice and palliative care organizations are recognizing and thanking veterans for this 2025 Veterans Day.
Telehealth flexibilities expired. Here's how providers are coping.
11/11/25 at 03:00 AMTelehealth flexibilities expired. Here's how providers are coping. TechTarget - xtelligent Virtual Healthcare; by Anuja Vaidya; 11/10/25 Telehealth flexibilities ended on Sept. 30, forcing providers to halt new virtual visits, risk financial losses or drive hundreds of miles for rural patient care. ... This has not only had a significant impact on the operations and finances of these providers but also led to concerns about the future of telehealth access. ...
Providence home health venture launches in California, includes North Bay
11/10/25 at 03:00 AMProvidence home health venture launches in California, includes North Bay The Press Democrat, North Bay, CA; by Cheryl Sarfaty; 11/4/25Providence and home-health care provider Compassus have finalized plans to provide home health, hospice, palliative care and personal home care services to multiple California regions, including Sonoma and Napa counties. California becomes the second of the three-phase joint venture. The first, announced March 3, includes Alaska, Texas and Washington. The third phase, in Oregon, is still pending regulatory review and approval in that state, according to Providence and Compassus. Under the agreement, Compassus will manage operations for all locations of the combined entity, called Providence at Home with Compassus.
A wedding to remember: Piedmont Athens Regional staff create unforgettable moment for hospice patient and family
11/10/25 at 03:00 AMA wedding to remember: Piedmont Athens Regional staff create unforgettable moment for hospice patient and familyPiedmont [GA]; 11/6/25When Charlie Carnes was placed on hospice care at Piedmont Athens Regional, his daughter, Ivey, shared a heartbreaking sentiment with hospital staff: she was getting married soon, and her father wouldn’t be able to attend. What happened next was simply extraordinary. Moved by Ivey’s story, the compassionate team at Piedmont Athens Regional sprang into action to create a moment the Carnes family would never forget. Within hours, staff members came together to plan a wedding ceremony inside the hospital’s Sacred Space, ensuring Charlie could witness his daughter’s special day.
I've learned that just one person saying to me, ...
11/10/25 at 03:00 AMI've learned that just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day. ~ Andy Rooney
The last night
11/10/25 at 03:00 AMThe last nightJAMA Network; by Lenore M. Buckley; 11/6/25... But on this final evening (tonight will be the last day of inpatient consult call of my career), I slow down and stop to think about these things. As I look past those drab gray walls, the rows of computers on chipped Formica tables, and the incessant alarms, I see it in all its glory for the last time—the myriad of patient faces in shared rooms who, due to illness and/or aging, are at turning points in their lives hoping for the best we can offer. I see modern health care’s potential to restore people back to their lives. I think of the times that I and it had failed, but I also think of the wonderful successes. It is a moment of holiness, so profound that I must do it quickly, quietly, and privately or I too might be overwhelmed by emotion.Publisher's note: A wonderful reflection on a medical career.
Non-profit that brought beauty, joy to hospice patients closes its doors
11/10/25 at 03:00 AMNon-profit that brought beauty, joy to hospice patients closes its doors Gold Country Media, Auburn, CA; by Midori Sperandeo; 11/4/25It has been said flowers are sunshine and medicine for the soul. For 12 years, that was the mantra of volunteers for The Petal Connection, who collected donated flowers from local businesses and created lovely bouquets – a little sunshine in a bottle – for people who needed them most. The special floral deliveries were made to hospice patients and senior citizens throughout the region, in Auburn, Folsom, Lincoln, Roseville and Rocklin. During the time The Petal Connection was in existence, volunteers delivered almost 130,000 bouquets, bringing brightness to people whose outlook could often be bleak.
AAHPM 2026 Award Winners
11/10/25 at 03:00 AMAAHPM 2026 Award WinnersAAHPM press release; 11/7/25Congratulations to all of 2026 award winners!
Hospice executive highlights Medicare benefits during National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
11/10/25 at 03:00 AMHospice executive highlights Medicare benefits during National Hospice and Palliative Care Month ABC-WWSB, Sarasota, FL; by Thad Randazzo and Summer Smith; 11/5/25 November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time to discuss the benefits of hospice care and its importance to communities. Casey Cuthbert, executive director of Affinity Care Hospice of Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties, said people often don’t understand that hospice care is a journey everyone faces. ... Many people don’t realize they have paid into Medicare hospice benefits throughout their working lives, Cuthbert said. Medicare covers hospice services at 100%, including the caregiving team of nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains.