Literature Review

Helios Care honors hospice social workers Allotsego,Oneonta NY; by Dan Ayres, President and Chief Executive Officer of Helios Care; 3/6/25March is National Social Work Month, a time to recognize and honor the invaluable contributions of social workers across the country. The theme for National Social Work Month this year is “Compassion and Action,” which 100 percent sums up our team of social workers at Helios Care, the hospice for Otsego, Delaware and Schoharie counties. All social workers are indeed special, but hospice social work is very unique. ... Hospice social workers at Helios Care are trained to provide a holistic approach to end-of-life care, helping patients and their families navigate emotional, psychological, and practical challenges. Community education, bereavement counseling, bearing witness to those at end of life, practical assistance in the home and advanced care planning are just some of the duties of a hospice social worker. Thank a social worker this month—their work is truly remarkable.

Children and family bereavement needs on the rise at Hospice of Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara, CA; by Hospice of Santa Barbara; 3/5/25 It’s not just adults who are impacted by grief and loss in our community. Children are as well. One in five children will experience the death of someone close to them by age 18, and one in twenty children will experience the death of one or both parents before reaching adulthood. Although death and grief are inevitable parts of life, these statistics highlight just how many children are impacted. Children are especially vulnerable when they lose a close loved one, and without professional support, grief can be especially paralyzing and overwhelming. ... Hospice of Santa Barbara’s Children and Family Services program provides free professional support and coping tools for children, teens and their families ... HSB is active in local campuses, providing professional weekly support groups from elementary to college age students. On-campus counseling services provide a vital space for open communication, support and the development of coping skills.Editor's note: What specialized child, teen and family bereavement services are you providing? Missing? What more can you do, with life-changing outcomes for those you serve?

Galleria Dallas partners with Visiting Nurse Association of Texas for March gallery wall exhibit Addison - The Magazine of the North Dallas Corridor; by Erin Uhl; 3/4/25 Each month, Galleria Dallas spotlights an important organization or cause on a Gallery Wall in the center through its Galleria Gives program. During March, the partner organization is the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas. The exhibit, which will be on display beginning Monday, March 3, will feature information on the Visiting Nurse Association’s Meals on Wheels, Hospice Care and Palliative Care programs. ...  “Partnering with Galleria Dallas and its Galleria Gives program gives us the opportunity to connect with thousands of North Texans, sharing our call to action to Give, Learn, Serve,” said Katherine Krause, president and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas. ... During the exhibit, the VNA will host several events at Galleria Dallas. The first, Make Cards & Spread Joy, will allow guests to create colorful, one-of-a-kind handmade cards for Meals on Wheels recipients ...

‘Global problem’: Numerous factors, biases contribute to overtreatment at end of life Healio; by Josh Friedman; 2/26/25 Nathan I. Cherny, MD, has worked all around the world. At every stop — from Australia to Israel, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in between — he has seen people with cancer receive overly aggressive treatment at the end of life. ... In a review published in ESMO Open, Cherny and a cohort of multinational colleagues highlighted numerous reasons why overtreatment occurs among patients approaching the end of life, ... They listed more than 20 contributing factors, including desire for control of the cancer, denial and anger, family pressure and hope preservation. The two factors that contribute most to overtreatment are optimism bias and the “counterphobic determination to treat,” which involves clinicians having a difficult time introducing the suggestion of palliative care revert to offering further treatments, Cherny said. ... Responsibility for decisions does not need to fall solely on oncologists, Cherny added. Palliative care physicians, social workers, chaplains and others can be part of a team to assist patients with their choices. ... The number of patients who are overtreated differs at each institution. “Each institution has its own culture of care,” Cherny said. Editor's note: This article puts forth significant insights for all palliative and hospice clinicians, interdisciplinary teams, and palliative/hospice executive leaders. Apply Cherny's to your referral sources: "Each institution has its own culture of care." Apply these findings to your own palliative and hospice services. 

What is death positivity? Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, New Hampshire & Vermont; by Phaneuf; 2/19/25 Death positivity is a growing movement that challenges the long-held taboos surrounding death. Rather than shying away from the subject, death positivity encourages individuals and communities to discuss mortality openly. It’s about accepting death as a natural part of life, reducing the fear and stigma often associated with it, and using that acceptance as a foundation for better end-of-life planning and living more fully. Historically, many cultures—including those in the New England region—often treated death as a private, somber affair. Today, however, a new narrative is emerging: one that celebrates the life lived, honors the memories left behind, and helps families make informed, compassionate decisions about the future.

[UK] Campaign focuses on hospice's work: [This is Hospice Care] The Free Library; by Sam Volpe; 2/17/25 Tyneside Hospice is taking part in a new national campaign highlighting their "vital role" - while one son has paid tribute to the care his mother received in her final days. St Oswald's Hospice in Newcastle is one of more than 140 hospices taking part in a new campaign called "This is Hospice Care" which is designed to demystify the role hospices play in our communities. [England, Scotland and Wales] Click here for "This is Hospice Care | UK," on the St. Oswald's Hospice website.

Juniper House on National Historic Register K103, Portland, OR; 2/18/25 The Juniper House is among Oregon's latest entries in the National Register of Historic Places ... for its statewide significance as Oregon's first end-of-life care home dedicated exclusively to residents with HIV/AIDS [May 1987] and for its substantial impact on statewide healthcare and LGBTQ+ history. ... In addition to caring for residents, the work of Juniper House included advocacy and educational efforts that were crucial in shaping public opinion and responses to HIV/AIDS.

Death Matters: The gift of presence: Tips for visiting someone who is dying Squim Gazette, Squim, WA; by Jeanette Stehr-Green, Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County; 2/12/25 We sometimes avoid visiting friends or family members who are terminally ill. We make lots of excuses. We don’t know what to say. We don’t know how to act. We don’t want to be a bother. The hard truth is that dying, the final stage of life, can be a lonely experience without the presence of family and friends. A visit during this time can bring comfort to the dying person and their family. It can also provide an opportunity to share feelings, reminisce, and say goodbye. Visiting a dying person seems difficult because most of us lack experience. It only takes a little courage and a few ideas to create a meaningful moment. ... Editor's note: These excellent guidelines empower hospice patients' families and friends--and protect patients' vulnerable energies and emotions--in multiple settings across the trajectory of dying. How might you adapt these for your own patient/caregiver support and community outreach?

What do you say to a friend who is dying Equity Atlas; 2/12/25 It’s a situation no one wants to find themselves in – facing the imminent death of a friend. The emotions that come with this can be overwhelming, leaving you at a loss for words. You may find yourself grappling with what to say, how to act, and how to provide support during such a difficult time. In this article, we will explore some insights on what to say to a friend who is dying, as well as provide guidance on how to navigate this delicate and heartbreaking situation.

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.

Central Coast VNA & Hospice expands hospice and support programs in the Central Coast region Chicago News; Press Release, media contact Jane Russo; 2/5/25 Central Coast VNA & Hospice, a trusted leader in home health and hospice care for over 70 years, is proud to announce the expansion of its comprehensive hospice and support programs throughout the Central Coast. ... With an increased focus on hospice care, education, and support, Central Coast VNA & Hospice is reaching more communities, including Monterey, Salinas, Hollister, and Santa Cruz. The organization’s enhanced programs include:

Does confronting mortality make our lives more meaningful? | The Ethical Life podcast SC Now, Florence, SC; podcast hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada; 1/29/25 Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how our awareness of mortality shapes the way we live. Kyte begins by discussing how ancient philosophers, particularly the Stoics, believed we should keep death constantly in mind, [helping] us avoid self-deception about our mortality and the tendency to become overly attached to material possessions and markers of success. Later, the hosts discuss how major religions have grappled with the question of what happens after death. ... Rada and Kyte share their personal reflections on mortality. ... Kyte says he ponders it daily, not in a morbid way, but to remind himself to use his finite time wisely. They discuss how people near the end of life often shift their priorities to relationships, forgiveness and small joys. 

Bettis Academy instills leadership skills with Eagles L.E.A.D. Program The Post and Courier, North Augusta, SC; by Bianca Moorman; 1/27/25 Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy is helping to build the next generation of leaders with its new Eagle's L.E.A.D. Initiative. Eagle's L.E.A.D. – which stands for Learn through Experience, Excel in Academics, Aspire to Inspire and Drive for Change – aims to teach students the skills needed to become leaders through hands-on service projects. The school officially launched the program on Oct. 28, 2024. ... Each grade level has selected a unique service project for the program. ... First-graders are partnering with Gentiva Hospice to learn about the work of first responders. Second-graders are collaborating with heart doctors to raise awareness about childhood heart disease. Third-graders are creating "little libraries" to place in various locations throughout the community. [Click on the title's link for grades 4-8.]