Literature Review

Relearning the world through grief-informed case formulation: A critique of prolonged grief disorder Journal of Humanistic Psychology; by Eleonora Ramsby Herrera, PhD; 1/31/26 Drawing on existential and humanistic frameworks, this review article critically examines the diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder and questions the usefulness of reducing grieving to a fixed set of symptoms and timelines. ... Rather than viewing grief as a disorder to be treated, the article advocates for understanding it as a natural and potentially transformative human response and argues for integrating grief into the bereaved person’s life story as a way to relearn the world.

New nonprofit helps Summit families facing terminal illnesses Summit Daily; by Summit Daily Staff; 2/24/26 The newly launched nonprofit Lean on Us aims to provide support services for individuals and families in Summit County dealing with terminal illness. A news release from the nonprofit stated it will provide physical, social, emotional and financial support, complementing the work of existing nonprofits, healthcare providers and caregivers in the county. Lean on Us’ nonmedical assistance will include companionship, caregiver respite, transportation, meal support, emergency financial assistance, accommodations, resource coordination and help with day-to-day tasks.

My family member passed away — do I get a discount for bereavement travel? Fodor's Travel |"Dear Eugene"; by Eugene Fodor; 2/23/26 In this month’s "Dear Eugene," we explore the benefits bereavement travelers have and tap experts for the best way to navigate grief while moving through the world. ... Several airlines (not all) offer bereavement fares, waivers, or what’s sometimes called “compassion fares,” but that doesn’t always mean you’ll save money. The real benefit of bereavement fares is the greater flexibility they offer.

Lawyer explains why everyone should do 'mandatory hospice volunteering' when they turn 18 Upworthy; by Heather Wake; 2/20/26 In a recent, thought-provoking episode of the Impact Theory podcast with Tom Bilyeu, renowned divorce attorney and author James Sexton shared how being a hospice volunteer drastically changed his perspective on life. "I think when you turn 18, you should have to do a year or two of mandatory hospice volunteering," Sexton said. "It changed my entire way of viewing the world."

More US companies are offering caregiving benefits to employees Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, Baton Rouge, LA; by The Associated Press; 2/19/26 Debra Whitman was traveling for work when her father was suddenly admitted to the hospital in serious pain. She jetted home to Maryland and took several days off to care for him in his rural community in eastern Washington state and to set him up with a motorized lift chair that would help him stand up. Fortunately for Whitman, who serves as chief public policy officer at AARP, her employer offers paid time off for caregiving for elderly family members, a benefit which experts say is growing in popularity as the U.S. population ages. 

‘It’s a collaborative effort’: Northern Light Medical Transport paramedics providing hospice supportWABI-5, Bangor, ME; by Alyssa Thurlow; 2/19/26 ... Paramedics can help patients across Maine with a variety of needs, but some are embracing a slower-paced role, focused on assisting those who are at the end of life. “Patients have access to care 24/7, and part of that coverage for after-hours is now coming through the community paramedicine program,” said hospice educator Allie Rohrer, RN. ... “It’s not with lights and sirens. It’s very low key. It’s driving there in a car, and then it’s talking through the issues,” said paramedic Ed Moreshead. ... Northern Light’s community paramedics are contracted with Northern Light Home Care & Hospice. Families in need of assistance call the triage number, and a hospice nurse and on-call physician can respond if needed.

Bono residents donate blood in honor of boy battling cancer KAIT-8 News, Bono, AR; by Alejandra Hernandez; 2/16/26 A community blood drive honored 7-year-old Jacob Garland, who is battling cancer and currently in hospice care. ... Doctors told the family they had done everything possible, but the cancer was too aggressive. Jacob is now in hospice care at home. ... While hospitalized, Jacob received nearly one blood transfusion per week. ... Several family members would travel to Memphis to donate blood, even though not all of the blood would go to Jacob directly—it was still helping a patient who needed it. ... Garland’s aunt, Sharon Hill, approached the family about hosting a blood drive, and they agreed. “There’s a lot of people out there that need life-saving blood, so if it helps other families,” Garland said. “Se’re happy to be here and support that need.”

Geographic and sociodemographic disparities in access to hospice in Pennsylvania American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Jacob Whitman, PhD, Dylan Nagy, MS, Harsheni Sudakar, BSPH, Coleman Drake, PhD, Lindsay Sabik, PhD, and Yael Schenker; 2/14/26 online ahead of print Results: In total, 2.3 million Pennsylvanians, or 17% of the state population, reside in census tracts classified as cold spots. Cold spots were concentrated in rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged regions. Compared with other tracts, cold spot tracts were lower income, less educated, older, more reliant on public insurance, and less racially diverse. Patterns were consistent when restricting to high quality hospice and nonprofit hospices. Conclusion: Geographic disparities in hospice access compound existing sociodemographic inequities. Addressing these inequities will require efforts to expand high-quality hospice availability in underserved communities.

El Paso's Veterans Cafe helps give community to those who served News*Talk 96.3 fm 1290 am; by Grizz; 2/12/26 On a quiet Saturday, something special is happening over coffee in El Paso. Hospice El Paso’s Veteran Café is proving that sometimes the most powerful form of support doesn’t come from a clinic or an office, but from a shared table, a familiar story, and the simple act of being welcomed. The pop-up café, sponsored by Hospice El Paso, is designed specifically for veterans from all branches of service. While it may look like a casual coffee gathering on the surface, its purpose runs much deeper. The café offers veterans a place to connect, talk, laugh, and support one another in a low-pressure environment where no one is expected to have the right words or any answers at all.

EMS at 60: The past, present, and future of our profession Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS); by David Ferris; 2/10/26 This year, 2026, marks sixty years since the birth of organized national EMS in the United States, and I’ve been fortunate—or maybe stubborn—enough to ride in the back of an ambulance for more than half of that history. For 34 years I’ve carried a radio, a drug box, and the weight of responsibility that comes with being a paramedic. In that time, I’ve watched EMS evolve from the Wild West of guesswork and tradition into a profession grounded in evidence, outcomes, and community health. What follows isn’t just a timeline of milestones; it’s the story of EMS through my own eyes, ...Editor's Note: Whose life--in your life--has been saved (or significantly helped) by Emergency Medical Services?  Memories through the years break through my take-it-for-granted view. While in hospice we tend to downplay EMS calls and hospitalization, join me in gratitude for the timely, life-saving and mitigation of horrific outcomes provided 24/7 by EMS care. 

Kids’ Grief and Healing Camp provides space for kids experiencing loss WVIR-29 News; Charlottesville, WV; by Kyndall Hanson; 2/7/26 Hospice of the Piedmont hosted its Kids’ Grief and Healing Camp on Saturday, February 7, giving children a space to share feelings and memories about their loved ones while connecting with others experiencing similar loss. “I’m not alone in this,” said Ella Matucci, an 11-year-old attending the camp. “Everyone is gonna lose someone in their life. Sometimes, I guess, it just happens earlier to some people, but we all have to go through it.” The free day camp works to provide children with a sense of togetherness and support during grief, offering a place for kids to come together, be kids, and express themselves in a safe space.

‘Behind the Blue’: Lindsay Ragsdale on growing pediatric health care and supporting Project ADAMUK Now, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; by Allison Perry and Kody Kiser; 2/6/26 From College of Medicine research labs to the halls of UK HealthCare, Lindsay Ragsdale, M.D., has spent much of her career at the University of Kentucky. Now the chief medical officer for Golisano Children’s at UK, she oversees a growing team of specialists and subspecialists dedicated to providing the most complex care for the children of Kentucky. In this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Ragsdale discusses her career at UK, the role of palliative care, the growth of the children’s hospital and her own son’s experience as a pediatric cardiology patient.

Longmont restaurant owner hits the road to make hospital patient's wish come true NBC 9 News, Longmont, CO; by Colton Chavez; 2/6/26 A Longmont restaurant owner is driving to Montana this weekend to personally deliver baked potatoes to a patient who listed visiting his establishment as one of their wishes. Eddy Ellson, owner of Big Bear Baked Potatoes, received a message through his restaurant's website from a hospice nurse in Montana asking if he could share his recipe or send food to a patient named Kristle, who wanted to visit his restaurant but was too ill to make the trip. "One of her last wishes she asked the nurse to take her to Denver because she wanted to go to Big Bear Baked Potatoes," Ellson said. Instead of sending a recipe, Ellson decided to make the journey himself. He plans to cook for Kristle, her family, and her nurses on Super Bowl Sunday, when his restaurant is normally closed.