Literature Review



Discover the charitable spirit behind Giving Hearts Day in North Dakota

02/12/25 at 03:00 AM

Discover the charitable spirit behind Giving Hearts Day in North Dakota Hot975FM.com; by Scott Haugen; 2/10/25 February is a special month. It's the month for Groundhog Day, Super Bowl, Lincoln's birthday, Valentine's Day, Washington's birthday, and Presidents Day. That is a lot to squeeze into a short month! Another day to keep in mind comes up on February 13th. That's Giving Hearts Day.  Giving Hearts Day is an extremely beneficial giving campaign for close to 550 charities in northwest Minnesota and North Dakota. Giving Hearts Day is meant to encourage people to support a cause they care about, and push the enthusiasm around this yearly celebration to help charities raise their profile and strengthen relationships with donors. Established in 2008, Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour charitable celebration for North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

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Men to share stories of grief on charity walk

02/12/25 at 03:00 AM

Men to share stories of grief on charity walk BBC News, West of England; by Dawn Limbu; 2/8/25 Hundreds of men from Somerset and Wiltshire are being encouraged to share their experiences of grief and bereavement on an eight-mile (12km) charity walk. Dorothy House Hospice Care is hosting its annual 'Men's Walk to Support' to raise funds to help the charity continue to provide free end-of-life care. The walk on 8 March will take participants from the charity's hospice in Winsley, Wiltshire, to Bath Pavillion in Somerset. Dan Varley, community and events fundraiser, said the walk can be really "powerful" for men who have experienced bereavement. 

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Chesapeake Life Center offers healing for those experiencing loss after DCA tragedy

02/12/25 at 02:00 AM

Chesapeake Life Center offers healing for those experiencing loss after DCA tragedy Southern Maryland News Net, Chesapeake, MD; 2/10/25 The Chesapeake Life Center will offer “Healing Our Community: Navigating Grief in the Aftermath of the DCA Tragedy” to support those affected by the Jan. 29 tragedy at Reagan National Airport. Chesapeake Life Center’s trauma-informed grief counselors will lead this healing workshop from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Hospice of the Chesapeake’s center at 2505 Davis Road, Waldorf, Maryland. The session offers a supportive space for community members to connect with others who share in their loss. Together, they can learn about grief and healthy coping strategies, participate in activities to express and process emotions and create a remembrance keepsake. Adults will meet separately from the children and teens to ensure age-appropriate conversations. 

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As I held my dying daughter’s hand, what did I feel? Immense pride in a young woman who – despite a lifetime of complex special needs – taught us that perfection comes in many different guises

02/11/25 at 03:15 AM

As I held my dying daughter’s hand, what did I feel? Immense pride in a young woman who – despite a lifetime of complex special needs – taught us that perfection comes in many different guises Express Digest - DailyMail.co.uk; 2/7/25 As I held my dying daughter's hand, what did I feel? Immense pride in a young woman who – despite a lifetime of complex special needs – taught us that perfection comes in many different guises. ... There is no doubt that without her, our own lives might have been easier and much less of an emotional roller-coaster – yet they would also have been so much poorer. For she introduced us to the richness of worlds and wonderful people that we might never have encountered without her.  ... Iona showed that life was for living, despite her disabilities and health struggles. She fuelled my compassion, smoothed my sharper edges and gave me courage ...

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After Eaton fire response, a search and rescue team gears up for a future of wildfire

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

After Eaton fire response, a search and rescue team gears up for a future of wildfire DirectRelief; by Talya Meyers; 2/10/25 Like many California volunteer rescuers, Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team members got their start doing wilderness missions. Now, they’re preparing for a bigger role in an era of more frequent, severe wildfires. When the volunteers on the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team look back on the first night’s response to the Eaton Fire, what they remember most is problem-solving, and quickly. ...  “We were building an airplane while we were flying it,” is how operations leader Carolyn Grumm described it. ... For [Rob Klusman, senior paramedic team member], the vast and urgent need came into focus early that evening, when his team went to check on a medically complex patient receiving end-of-life care. ... [Immediately after countless evacuations,] he and his teammates moved into their second, grimmer assignment: Moving through devastated, burned-out neighborhoods, ... to find human remains. ... [Now, on] a larger scale, Klusamn explained, California search and rescue teams are thinking about the escalating severity and frequency of wildfires — and how they can be there to respond.

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Access tops list of Americans' healthcare concerns: 4 survey findings

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Access tops list of Americans' healthcare concerns: 4 survey findings Becker's Clinical Leadership; by Erica Carbajal; 2/5/25A quarter of Americans rank healthcare access and affordability as the top public health priority they want government leaders to focus on, according to poll findings from Gallup and Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. ... Four key findings:

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Medicare's 2025 physician pay cut, explained

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Medicare's 2025 physician pay cut, explainedBecker's Hospital CFO Report; by Stefanie Asin; 2/5/25 As of Jan. 1, Medicare is paying physicians almost 3% less than last year for services provided to the country's 66 million Medicare patients. The decreased payments aren't a surprise or anything new, as CMS, by law, must keep physician payments budget neutral (cannot raise total Medicare spending by more than $20 million in a year). As a result, since 2020, Medicare has cut physician pay each year ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading these items.]

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'We’re seeing these struggles.' Rainbow works to support end-of-life caregivers

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

'We’re seeing these struggles.' Rainbow works to support end-of-life caregivers Daily Jefferson County Union, Jefferson, WI; by Hannah Brock; 2/10/25 Rainbow Community Care is facing a growing need in Dodge and Jefferson counties: the overwhelming burden placed on caregivers, both family members and healthcare workers, as they navigate end-of-life care. “There’s this need in the community to support caregivers, where whoever they are,” said Carol Brown, president and CEO of Rainbow Community Care. The backbone of the healthcare system isn’t just hospitals or insurance plans—it’s the unpaid, often invisible labor of family caregivers. ... The newest initiative, the respite care program, is being designed to give caregivers much-needed breaks. Many family caregivers go months—or even years—without a full night’s rest, a doctor’s visit for themselves, or even an afternoon off, according to Rainbow Community Care. To help address this, Rainbow Community Care secured the necessary funding for the program. 

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UnitedHealth Group withdraws motion to dismiss antitrust challenge

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

UnitedHealth Group withdraws motion to dismiss antitrust challenge Competition Policy International; by CPI; 2/8/25 UnitedHealth Group has withdrawn its motion to dismiss the Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit challenging its proposed acquisition of Amedisys, a home care and hospice provider. According to the , the healthcare giant stated that new information provided by the government in late January rendered its initial motion moot. ... On January 29, the Justice Department responded to the motion by filing a list of 381 service areas where it alleged the acquisition would negatively impact competition. UnitedHealth Group, in its latest filing, acknowledged that this submission “finally identified” the locations in question, leading the company to withdraw its motion.

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Flat MaineCare rates force home health company to discharge pediatric patients

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Flat MaineCare rates force home health company to discharge pediatric patients NBC News Center Maine, Lewiston, ME; by Vivien Leigh; 2/7/25 A home health company is lobbying state health officials to adopt a funding plan to ensure kids with severe health needs don't fall through the cracks. Andwell Health Partners provides nursing, therapy, and services to nearly 900 children across six counties. The majority of those kids are on MaineCare, the state's version of Medicaid. But the company said it has no choice but to discharge patients because of a lack of increase in reimbursement rates. ... Lindsay Hammes, spokesperson with Maine DHHS, released a statement to News Center Maine. "... MaineCare has been working with providers and partners, including Andwell, on a palliative care model that would, among other populations, cover children with medical complexity. We are in the rate-setting stage for this model." 

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What we talk about, or not, when talking about death

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

What we talk about, or not, when talking about death Enumclaw Courier-Herald; by Wire Service; 2/9/25 Death is a guarantee for everyone, so why do people shy away from talking about it and using words like death and dying? ... As a death doula and grief coach, Kathleen Putnam hopes that providing care to those who are grieving can help change the language surrounding death. ... Putnam explains that in present society, people want to avoid grief and pain. With medical advancements and industries and marketing systems focusing on keeping people alive, the rhetoric surrounding dying has become negative. Putnam also pointed out that instead of using phrases like “they died” or “they’re dying,” other phrases like “pass away” and “they went to sleep” have become popular when talking about a loss.

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How CNOs can manage change management

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

How CNOs can manage change management Health Leaders; by G. Hatfield; 2/10/25 Crisp, clear communication is key for CNOs who are trying to handle their change management processes, says this CNO. ... According to Stefanie Beavers, chief nursing executive at OU Health, and HealthLeaders Exchange member, a key focus of the change management process is solidifying organizational identity.

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[Germany] Green hospice snails: Dresden bakeries support incurable children

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

[Germany] Green hospice snails: Dresden bakeries support incurable children Archynewsy; 1/10/25 In Dresden, Germany, a heartwarming campaign is uniting bakeries and communities to support families facing the challenges of life-limiting illnesses in their children. Every February 10th, known as the "Day of Work for the Hospice for Children," participating bakeries offer delectable "green" treats, with a portion of their proceeds contributing to the invaluable work done by local children’s hospices. ... This campaign transcends mere fundraising; it acts as a powerful platform to shed light on the often-overlooked needs of families navigating the complex journey of caring for a child with a life-limiting illness.

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Montana bill to outlaw physician-assisted death clears Senate

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Montana bill to outlaw physician-assisted death clears Senate Ravalli Republic; by Carly Graf; 2/7/25 The proposal would prohibit a health care provider from prescribing life-ending drugs at the request of a terminally ill patient. That ability currently exists largely due to a legal loophole. [Article is behind a paywall.]

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Today's Encouragement: Justice is ...

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public. ~ Cornel West

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Kamloops Hospice's Messages of Love Campaign runs all month long

02/11/25 at 03:00 AM

Kamloops Hospice's Messages of Love Campaign runs all month long Castanet - Kamloops.net, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada; by Eagle Anderson, 2/9/25 Kamloops residents are being invited to stop by a cafe, grab a cup of coffee and share some positive words as part of Kamloops Hospice’s Messages of Love Campaign, which is running all month. Four local eateries — 5 Bean Brew Bar (Sahali), The Vic, Cafe Motivo, Yew Street — and the Kamloops Hospice will each provide sticky notes, pens and a board for posting. “It’s essentially an awareness campaign,” Kamloops Hospice’s Fund Development Lead Sarah Irvine said. ... Participants are encouraged to write a positive message on each note. They can then keep the note, stick it to a board or give it away. Messages can be written to friends, family, community groups, lost loved ones and even to themselves.

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Chapters Health system names new Executive Director and Chief Development Officer of the Foundation for Chapters Health Foundation

02/11/25 at 02:00 AM

Chapters Health system names new Executive Director and Chief Development Officer of the Foundation for Chapters Health Foundation Cision PR Web, Temple Terrace, FL; by Chapters Health System; 2/6/25 Chapters Health System ... announced the appointment of Franklin Guerrero as the new Executive Director and Chief Development Officer of the Chapters Health Foundation. Guerrero, accomplished fundraising executive with more than 20 years of experience in developing successful fundraising strategies, previously served as the Vice President of Major and Planned Gifts at Capital Caring Health, a Chapters Health affiliate organization. He also partnered with leadership at organizations such as AARP Foundation, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Project HOPE, USA for UNHCR and Children International.

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The health care experience of Hispanic patients with serious illness: A literature review

02/11/25 at 02:00 AM

The health care experience of Hispanic patients with serious illness: A literature reviewCAPC press release; 2/10/25CAPC conducted a literature review of peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in PubMed to understand the health care experience of Hispanic patients with serious illness, and their families and unpaid caregivers. [Please click on the link above for the literature review of 200+ journal articles and 14 key findings.]

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Learning from death: New memoir If We Never Meet Again imparts lessons from working with hospice patients

02/10/25 at 03:00 AM

Learning from death: New memoir If We Never Meet Again imparts lessons from working with hospice patientsThe MarCom Journal, Charleston, SC; by Globe Newswire; 2/6/25While the topic of death is generally considered taboo, English teacher turned hospice administrator Matthew Cornett believes there is much to be learned from death. After becoming an empty nester, Cornett left the classroom behind and began a second career in hospice care. And the more time he spent with people as they approached the end of their life, the more he realized that their deaths had meaning. And what emerged from those final moments was something profound. Hoping to make others feel more comfortable when it comes to preparing for and talking about death, he presents a memoir of his journey into the world of hospice care. In If We Never Meet Again, Cornett chronicles his experiences providing compassion and support to hospice patients while adjusting to his new role. Finding inspiration in his patient’s “death stories,” he found himself on an unexpected path of self-discovery. Cornett’s personal reflections on these intimate and emotional interactions encourage readers to reconsider how they view death and dying.

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Researchers outline new research priorities in neuropalliative care

02/10/25 at 03:00 AM

Researchers outline new research priorities in neuropalliative care UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC; by Winnie K. Lau, MD and David Y. Hwang, MD2/7/25... An emerging field, termed “neuropalliative care,” has taken shape over the past few years to help provide impactful, holistic care for patients with serious neurological disease. And now, experts in the field are seeking ways to improve the overall wellbeing of their patients and loved ones through the power of research. ... A special communication in JAMA Neurology, first-authored by Winnie K. Lau, MD, a neurocritical care physician and associate professor of neurology and senior-authored by David Y. Hwang, MD, professor of neurology and division chief of neurocritical care, describes needed research that can help advance patient care, including:

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Rock legend reveals he can’t walk, is grateful to be alive ahead of farewell show

02/10/25 at 03:00 AM

Rock legend reveals he can’t walk, is grateful to be alive ahead of farewell show Penn-Live Patriot News; by Brian Linder; 2/7/25 Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath revealed this week that they are reuniting for one final show, and there’s no doubt it will be a special occasion. And, while it seems a lot of bands announce farewells only to make a comeback years down the line, this really does appear to be it for Osbourne and Black Sabbath. And that’s because Osbourne, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease back in 2020, is struggling health wise. "I have made it to 2025,” Osbourne said ...  “I can’t walk, but you know what I was thinking over the holidays? For all my complaining, I’m still alive. I may be moaning that I can’t walk, but I look down the road and there’s people that didn’t do half as much as me and didn’t make it.”

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Today's Encouragement: Racism separates, but it never ...

02/10/25 at 03:00 AM

Racism separates, but it never liberates. Hatred generates fear, and fear once given a foothold binds, consumes and imprisons. Nothing is gained from prejudice. No one benefits from racism. ~ Thurgood MarshallHonoring Black History Month 2025

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A broader end-of-life-view: The need for hospice and palliative care extends beyond the elderly, as the patient population at Transitions LifeCare suggests

02/10/25 at 03:00 AM

A broader end-of-life-view: The need for hospice and palliative care extends beyond the elderly, as the patient population at Transitions LifeCare suggestsTriangle Business Journal, Raleigh, NC; by Connie Gentry; 2/7/25 Although the likelihood of developing cancer is highest for anyone over age 65, the American Cancer Society’s annual report on cancer statistics, released last month, noted increasing incidents of many cancer types among younger adults and women. ... But positive outcomes were also reported: The cancer mortality rate in the U.S. declined by 34 percent from 1991 to 2022 and, since 1970, cancer mortality in children 14 years and younger has declined by 70 percent and among adolescents ages 15 to 19 years it has dropped by 63 percent. ... Although the majority of their hospice patients are over the age of 75, Transitions LifeCare is seeing an increase in younger patients. Last year, roughly 9 percent of their hospice patients were under age 65, almost evenly divided between women and men.

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Bristol Hospice acquires St. Agatha Comfort Care

02/10/25 at 03:00 AM

Bristol Hospice acquires St. Agatha Comfort Care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 2/6/25 Bristol Hospice has acquired St. Agatha Comfort Care in Las Vegas for an undisclosed amount. ... Bristol is a portfolio company of the private equity firm Webster Equity Partners. The company operates 64 locations across 25 states, employing more than 3,000 professionals. The hospice provider has indeed been on a growth trajectory. In June 2024, Bristol Hospice acquired Mississippi-based Mid-Delta Hospice, a move that marked its entry into that state. Bristol has been a prolific buyer in the M&A market during the past five years, but more recently it has leaned harder into its de novo strategy. In August of last year, Bristol Hospice opened four new locations within a single week in three different states.

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Palliative social work fellowship opportunity

02/10/25 at 03:00 AM

Palliative social work fellowship opportunity The Elm - the University of Maryland, Baltimore; Press Release; 2/6/25The section of Palliative Medicine at Medstar Washington Hospital Center located in Washington, DC is recruiting for a one-year, post-graduate social work fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine with a concentration in ethics.  The interprofessional fellowship consisting of social work, physician and advanced practice clinician fellows and begins July 2025, concluding at the end of June 2025.  Fellowship is an intensive clinical experience designed to train future clinicians and leaders in the field, offering learners to a variety of field-related placements and educational activities. ... We are accepting applications now through March 14, 2025. ... Click here for more information about application requirements and timelines. 

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