Literature Review

Why palliative care is more than just end-of-life support MedPageToday's KevinMD.com; by Dr. Vishal Parackal; 9/1/25 ... Palliative care as a system requires strong interpersonal and cross-specialty communication for smooth functioning, as patients may require expert opinions from different fields to optimize their treatment plan. Patient education for systemic follow-ups and establishing a baseline of knowledge regarding their diagnosis and potential danger signs helps create a better environment for holistic care. While we focus on the physical aspects of care and diagnosis, we often fail to realize the psychological and mental impact that such conditions can have on the patient and their family. ... The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives by easing their suffering and enhancing their quality of life is profoundly fulfilling. ... Editor's Note: Excellent descriptions of palliative care.

Sharp HospiceCare Benefit Regatta raises more than $500,000 to support hospice homes Coronado Times, San Diego, CA; Coronado Times Staff; 9/2/25 More than 1,200 guests gathered on San Diego Bay for the 22nd Annual Sharp HospiceCare Benefit Regatta, raising over $500,000 in support of Sharp HospiceCare’s Homes for Hospice program. ... Funds raised will directly support Sharp HospiceCare’s mission of providing compassionate, holistic care for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones. This includes the ongoing expansion of hospice services and the operation of Sharp’s four hospice facilities — BonitaView, LakeView, ParkView, and the newly completed Moore MountainView Hospice Home in Poway.

Exploring hospice care innovations - Top news stories, August 2025 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 9/3/25 Hospice and palliative care face significant challenges amid broader failures in the healthcare system, with experts anticipating a critical opportunity for reform by 2026-2027 as Medicare faces potential bankruptcy and employers confront double-digit premium increases. Join Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner as they delve into the latest trends and challenges in hospice care.  From the impact of AI to the importance of research and innovation, this episode covers it all.

PruittHealth strengthens senior care with new acquisition Investors Hangout; by Dylan Bailey; 8/28/25 PruittHealth ... has revealed its acquisition of The Lodge of Warner Robins. This strategic move marks the third skilled nursing center acquired from Debbie Meade and her family-run organization, Health Management. ... The acquisition allows patients access to a comprehensive Continuum of Care that encompasses ... hospice and palliative care, pharmacy, therapy services, a Medicare Advantage Plan, PruittHealth Premier, and community-based services for qualified Medicaid recipients through PruittHealth Home First.

Charlton senior care facility moves hospice, palliative care services to Gardner subsidiary Worcester Business Journal (WBJ), Worcester, MA; by Mica Kanner-Mascolo; 8/29/25 The Overlook, a senior care facility, has transitioned its home health, hospice and palliative care services to a Central Massachusetts care system as the Charlton-based operation aims to refocus its core offerings at its flagship location. The Overlook offloaded its home health, hospice and palliative care offerings provided through its Visiting Nurse Association to Gardner-based Care Central VNA & Hospice, effective Thursday. “For more than 25 years, OVNA has been privileged to care for thousands of residents/patients, providing comfort, dignity, and support in their homes,” Tameryn Campbell, president and CEO of The Overlook, said in a Thursday press release. “We are heartened to find a mission-minded, non-profit organization in Care Central VNA & Hospice.”

Protecting Florida's seniors: Fighting fraud and financial exploitation Targeted News Service; 8/29/25 The Senate Special Committee on Aging released the following testimony by Brandy Bauer, director of the Senior Medicare Patrol Resource Center, from an Aug. 7, 2025, field hearing entitled "Protecting Florida's Seniors: Fighting Fraud and Financial Exploitation": Chairman Scott, thank you for inviting me here today on behalf of the Senior Medicare Patrol program. The nation's 54 Senior Medicare Patrol, or SMP, programs are managed by the U.S. Administration for Community Living, with the mission to help empower and assist people to prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. ...

Amarillo VA expands end-of-life care with new hospice unit CBS KFDA-10, Amarillo, TX; by Canion Cvazos; 8/28/25 After years of planning, the Amarillo VA has opened a new chapter in veteran care. The VA held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to celebrate the opening for its new hospice unit. VA leaders say the goal is to create a home-like environment, where families can gather with comfort and dignity during their loved one’s final days. The hospice unit will provide 10 private rooms, each designed for a single patient, with its own bathroom and shower. 

Walgreens goes private, splits into 5 companies: 8 things to knowBecker's Hospital Review; Alan Condon; 8/29/25Walgreens Boots Alliance has officially gone private following its acquisition by New York City-based private equity firm Sycamore Partners, the companies announced Aug. 29... Walgreens Boots Alliance will now operate as five standalone companies: Walgreens, The Boots Group, Shields Health Solutions, CareCentrix and VillageMD. Each will continue to function independently, with Sycamore aiming to preserve their existing brands and customer relationships.

VA end-of-life care honors Veterans and comforts families: Choosing the right placeVA News; by Sarah M. Tolstyka; 8/29/25End-of-life care is one of the most personal decisions a Veteran and their family will ever make. VA offers hospice services across a variety of settings—including its own Community Living Centers (CLCs), contracted community nursing homes and home hospice agencies. While each Veteran’s needs are unique, the setting in which hospice care is provided can profoundly shape the experience. One invaluable resource in this decision-making process is VA’s Bereaved Family Survey, which measures family satisfaction with end-of-life (EOL) care. The data consistently show families report higher satisfaction with VA CLC hospice care than with community-based hospice. Currently, 87% of families rate VA CLC EOL care a 9 or 10 on a 0–10 scale, compared to 81% for community hospice care. These findings reflect clinical excellence and VA’s commitment to honoring Veterans through every stage of life... Families frequently recall the small but meaningful details of VA care, like the Honor Walk or Final Salute, a ceremonial procession to honor a Veteran’s death. “The Walk of Honor is something I will always remember,” one family member shared. Another noted, “He was brought back to VA and, as my son said, ‘He was given back his dignity.’ I can’t even begin to say how wonderful VA is.”

Publicly traded hospice companies seeking acquisitions, reporting substantial growth Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/28/25 The nation’s largest hospice companies are seeing significant hospice growth amid executive changes and rising interest in M&A. These are the key themes that emerged during this year’s second quarter earnings season, in which publicly traded home health and hospice companies report their financial results, guidance for the remainder of the year and other key announcements. ... 

Valley Hospice marks 40 years with sold-out golf scramble WTRF.com, Harrison County, OH; by Alex Taylor; 8/29/25 Valley Hospice is celebrating 40 years of serving patients and families here in the Ohio Valley. On Friday, Valley Hospice hosted a sold-out golf scramble to raise funds for services not always covered by insurance. More than 150 community members came together at the Cadiz Country Club in a show of support for this vital local nonprofit.

Grateful leukemia patient thanks care team, paints butterfly mural Sentara, Norfolk, VA; by Kelly Anne Morgan; 8/27/25 ... Six years ago, Kressel was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, ... It was an emergency admission, and she remained in the hospital [for 70 days], receiving over 150 blood transfusions, several bone marrow biopsies, and a splenic embolization. ... When she was discharged from the hospital, Kressel began working on a butterfly mural composed of three large canvases. The butterflies symbolize hope for patients and families experiencing hospice and end-of-life comfort care, said Kressel. ... Recently, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital rededicated nine rooms on the oncology floor to house hospice patients. ... In August, Kressel was joined by family, friends, and her care team as she presented the mural to the unit. ...

Add your message inside the walls of $3.5M Tri-Cities Hospice remodel Tri-City Herald, Keenwick, WA; by Wendy Culverwell; 8/28/25 Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House invites supporters to tuck messages inside its walls as it briefly pauses renovation and expansion work this week. The public can visit from 3-5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 29. Hospice House is at 2018 W. Entiat Ave., Kennewick. Laurie Jackson, CEO, traces the idea of leaving messages inside walls before they’re sealed up to the original construction some 30 years ago. ... Jackson said long-time supporters regularly share memories of pounding nails and leaving messages in the unfinished walls nearly 30 years ago. Current leaders decided to recreate the moment when Bouten Construction, the contractor, advised it was almost ready to finish the walls.Editor's Note: This creative, meaningful community engagement can be adapted easily to other hospice construction and renovations. How beautiful, Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House!