Literature Review

Hospice gets huge response as it finds Tad a new home Beatrice Daily Sun; by Christina Lyons; 7/17/24 When the Cottonwood Hospice team wrote a Facebook post about a patient’s dog that needed to be rehomed, they were not expecting the overwhelming response they received. Owner Anni Paulmeyer said Katie Genrich, a hospice nurse, had come to her with concern for a patient who needed to rehome a dog because of declining health. ... Genrich said her patient had found the white Swiss shepherd when he was a year to 2 years of age. He named him Tad because he always said “the dog was a tad much when he was younger.” The patient cared for Tad for about nine years, but due to declining health and the need to move to a nursing facility, wanted to rehome Tad. Paulmeyer wrote a Facebook post and asked people to share the post. “A day or so later the post had been shared 2,800 times. ..." Editor's Note: We celebrate Tad's new home! For ongoing rehoming of hospice patients' pets, become familiar with the national "Pet Peace of Mind" program, click here for info, with a list of hospice organizations with whom they partner.

SPECIAL EDITION: December 24, 2024

'I've already had my miracle': 26-year-old Savannah mom enters hospice care with only weeks to live ABC WJCL 22 News, Savannah, GA; by Savannah Younger; 12/4/24 As the holiday season begins, Sara Long, a 26-year-old Savannah woman, is entering hospice care after a prolonged battle with kidney failure. Now the wife and mother is preparing to say her final goodbyes to family and friends. "I wanted to make sure that everything's kind of ready to go for when family visits and all that kind of stuff," Long said. "So, I just want to make things as easy as possible for everybody." Long has been told she has two to three weeks left to live and is now preparing her family for her passing. ... Their daughter, Riley, 4, is too young to understand what is happening, but Long is creating a hope chest so Riley can always remember her. "There are probably dozens, if not hundreds, of letters at this point, to open at different various points in her life. So, like her first day of school all through, or a graduate degree, potentially," Long said. "I feel like I've already had my miracle," Sara said. "I feel like Riley is my miracle. ..."Editor's note: If you spend time on nothing else in today's newsletter, click here to view this memorable, meaningful video/article. Surely, you will see your own life in a new light.  See our "Today's Encouragement" for today, with a beautiful quote from Sara Long.

Nonprofit organizes free home cleanings for cancer patients The Dallas Express, Dallas, TX; by Patti Villegas; 10/27/24 When facing a serious illness, even simple tasks can become overwhelming. However, one nonprofit organization is stepping in to help alleviate some of that burden for individuals with cancer. Cleaning for a Reason, founded in 2006, has facilitated free home cleaning services for more than 57,133 cancer patients in the U.S. and Canada, providing services valued at a total of more than $19 million. The non-profit organization partners with residential cleaning companies and community volunteers to “clean the homes of cancer patients to provide hope, relief, control, and cleanliness,” the group’s website states. The volunteers’ work not only enhances the patients’ physical environment but uplifts their spirits as well.

Fearless hospice patient takes joyrideWest Valley View (AZ); by Lin Sue Flood; 8/7/24Don Tamuty, a beloved former Madison Unified School District teacher, had one thing left on his bucket list. The 95-year-old shared with his hospice nurse, Monisha Roe, that he would love to ride in a driverless car. Monisha and the rest of Don’s Hospice of the Valley care team knew exactly how to fulfill that wish! They booked a driverless cruise on Waymo One to take Don out to a nice restaurant.

From It's a Wonderful Life, Frank Capra

Community carolers share love with Bartlesville's 'Santa' on his final journey home Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters - Bartlesville, Oklahoma; by Nathan Thompson; 11/9/24 He's been known as Bartlesville's very own Santa for more than three decades, and on Saturday night dozens of community members showered Ron Adams with the blessing of love and Christmas carols as he faces the final moments of his life.  Earlier this year, Adams was diagnosed with stage-four liver cancer. His health has rapidly deteriated and he is in hospice care at The Journey Home between Bartlesville and Dewey. Debbie Neece, a friend of the family, says she received a phone call from Adams' daughter, Lindsey, Saturday morning with a special request.  Neece made it happen as a fitting tribute to a Bartlesvile icon and his family. ... Saturday's love from the community gathering and singing more than 20 minutes of Christmas carols had a profound impact on Ron, his wife Debi and his daughter Lindsey. Lindsey came outside and in tears, thanked the gathered crowd. A small blessing of Christmas music. A large outpouring of love from the community. But not as large as Ron Adams' heart and his devotion to bringing joy as Bartlesville's Santa.

I asked my dad to write my wedding speech after he was given 6 months to live. I'm holding on to it for my special day. AOL.com - Insider; by Lara Rodwell; 9/29/24 ... I remember the moment my dad told me he had six months to live like it was yesterday. ... "Lar, we need to have a chat," he said, hovering beside the edge of the bed. "I've received some news. It's not good." ... Wrapped in the comforting arms of my dad, I blurted, "Dad, you're not going to walk me down the aisle one day." ... During one sleepless night, it hit me. I wanted to create a keepsake where my dad and I could write letters, share memories and process our feelings, together. I found a tatty old notebook and wrote my first letter to him. ... The very first thing I asked him at the end of the letter, ink smudged with tears, was if he could write his wedding speech for me. ... It was a hot summer's morning, the day my dad died in the care of our local hospice. He'd been there for three weeks — in a lot of pain, stabilized by a lot of morphine — surrounded by his family. .... Later that day, ... amongst pages of financial practicalities and funeral wishes, there was a folder of white envelopes addressed to each of us - his wife and four children. On the front of mine read "Lar...". On the back: "Your wedding speech." To this day, the envelope remains sealed, tucked away at the bottom of my "dad box" — along with the notebook we shared, photo albums of memories, and a collection of swimming medals he wanted me to show his grandkids one day. ...

Foundation raises money for Hospice Home Campaign, Patient Needs Fund WBBJ-TV ABC & CBS 7 Eyewitness News, Jackson, TN; by WBBJ Staff; 12/20/24 West Tennessee Healthcare presented two checks through its Hope and Healing Foundation Friday.  The foundation hosted a ‘Sip and Savor’ event to raise funds for the Hospice Home Campaign and the Patient Needs fund. The Hospice Home Campaign plans to build a space where hospice patients can obtain enhanced end-of-life services for patients and their families. Through this fundraiser, each campaign was presented a $64,000 check. This was made possible through numerous donations and support.

Congress extends hospice telehealth flexibilities Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 12/21/24 Congress has extended the pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities through March 14, 2025. Early Saturday, legislators approved a continuing resolution to fund the government and avoid a shutdown. The bill contained language to extend the flexibilities, which includes the ability to perform face-to-face recertifications via telehealth. They were originally slated to expire on Dec. 31. The extension is a win for health care providers, including hospices, who have come to rely heavily on virtual services during the past five years.   

Editorial: Exposing Marin high school students to health care fields is a home run The Tribune, Novato, CA; by The Marin Independent Journal; 12/18/24 Marin high school students interested in health care will soon get the opportunity to get a head start on those career opportunities. A pilot course is being offered this spring for San Marin High School students to introduce them to various careers in this important field. It is a coordinated initiative led by the Marin County Office of Education, the Novato Unified School District and By the Bay Health, the Marin-headquartered hospice program. John Carroll, Marin County superintendent of schools, says the program is designed to introduce juniors and seniors to the diversity of options in the health care field. ... Giving youth in-depth exposure to the field should pay dividends by increasing students' interest in pursuing those careers. "We are optimistic this partnership with MCOE will inspire more students to join the continuum of care - particularly in areas like home-based palliative care, hospice care and home health care," says Skelly Wingard, chief executive officer at By the Bay Health.

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. ~ James Keller Editor's note: This holiday week experienced a prelude by Saturday's December 21st Winter Solstice and ushers in celebrations of Christmas Eve/Day (December 24-25), Hanukkah (December 25 - January 2), and Kwanzaa (December 26 - January 1). May be we create respect, dignity, and care for all--including those not identified here. May our lives light compassion for others. May we see the light in others, especially when different from our own.

Care Synergy and RCC Medical Equipment announce plans to form healthcare joint venture Economy Press Releases, Denver, CO; by Tim Bowen; by 12/19/24 Care Synergy and RCC Medical Equipment Co. have agreed to form a joint-venture partnership to provide enhanced healthcare services throughout the Colorado Front Range region. Together, Care Synergy, a leading healthcare management service organization, and RCC Medical Equipment Co. will provide high-quality healthcare equipment to the patient populations of Care Synergy’s healthcare affiliates including The Denver Hospice, Colorado PACE, Pathways Hospice, Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care, and Colorado Visiting Nurse Association (CVNA). “The partnership between Care Synergy and RCC Medical Equipment is important to the advancement of hospice care, palliative care, and home health in Colorado,” stated Tim Bowen, president and CEO of Care Synergy. ... In early 2025, the partnership will initially focus on caring for the Weld County and Larimer County patient populations served by Pathways Hospice. However, the plan is to expand service to the Denver metropolitan area and Colorado Springs in late 2025 and 2026.