Literature Review

Whether it is a tsunami, or whether it is a hurricane, whether it's an earthquake - when we see these great fatal and natural acts, men and women of every ethnic persuasion come together and they just want to help. ~ Martin Luther King III

I can't change you and you can't change me, but together we can work to change the world!  ~ Germany Kent

SPECIAL EDITION: Starting with "There is no wisdom without leisure ...," we pause today from typical news to share with you favorite "Today's Encouragement" quotes from recent months.

The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. ~ Henry David Thoreau

If you can change your mind, you can change your life. ~ William James, American philosopher and psychologist, and the first educator to offer a psychology course in the United States

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. ~ Jimmy Johnson

If you want to be the best you have to do things that other people aren't willing to do. ~ Michael Phelps, Olympic swimmer 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016. Click here for his Foundation, with its vision "to save lives and help build healthier families."

When you first get a hill in sight, look at the top of it only once. Then imagine yourself at the bottom of the other side. ~ Florence Griffeth Joyner, known as Flo-Jo, Olympic runner 1984 and 1988, in Time's 2020 list of the most influential women of the past century

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. ~ Dr. Seuss, in Oh, The Places You'll Go

There is no wisdom without leisure. ~ W. B. Yeat

Pet Peace of Mind program alleviates stress for hospice patients Poteau Daily News; by Ashley Torres; 11/26/24 Heart of Hospice in Poteau has announced a new program that will be helping with pet care while patients are on hospice care. The Pet Peace of Mind program, which began at Heart of Hospice Poteau on Nov. 15, aims to support the bond between pets and hospice patients during their final days. According to Heart of Hospice, the Pet Peace of Mind program “recognizes and actively supports the unique bond between hospice patients and their pet,” and “aligns with the Heart of Hospice mission to provide exceptional care and unparalleled service to the patients and families who have placed their trust in us.” The program is funded through donations, and the work is done by volunteers.  ... The Pet Peace of Mind program is aptly named, because it is all truly done to alleviate the anxiety and stress that hospice patients often feel while worrying about what will happen to their beloved pets when they are gone. Knowing that their pet’s needs are being met while they are on hospice care, and knowing that their pet will be taken care of even afterwards, allows the patient to focus on their own comfort during their last days.

Disclosure practices in Muslim patients and the impact on end-of-life care: A narrative review American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care; by Mona Tereen; 11/26/24 ... Non-disclosure practices hold significant weight in end-of-life care for Muslim communities, where cultural and religious beliefs are deeply intertwined with healthcare decision-making. This narrative review explores the complexities of medical decision-making and disclosure practices among terminally ill Muslim patients, examining how these factors shape palliative care delivery. Conclusion: Non-disclosure practices present significant barriers to effective palliative care in Muslim communities. To improve care outcomes, culturally competent communication strategies and family-centered decision-making models are crucial.

Valley Health and Hospice of the Panhandle collaborate to expand hospice care Global Data; 11/26/24 Valley Health has partnered with Hospice of the Panhandle to launch a hospice care programme within its hospitals, War Memorial Hospital (WarMH) in Berkeley Springs and Hampshire Memorial Hospital (HMH) in Romney, West Virginia, US. An agreement, effective from 1 November, integrates Hospice of the Panhandle with the hospitals' existing care teams, aiming to enhance the quality and accessibility of end-of-life care for eligible patients and their families.  The Hospice in the Hospital programme, which began in 2020 at Winchester Medical Centre, has now extended to all Valley Health hospitals in Virginia and, with this recent development, to West Virginia. HMH and WarMH operations vice president Heather Sigel said: “We are extremely thankful to the Hospice of the Panhandle team for partnering with us to offer Hospice in the Hospital at both War Memorial and Hampshire Memorial. ..."