Literature Review

Improv for Caregivers receives a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts EINPressWire; by A. A. Cristi; 9/23/24 The New London Barn Playhouse received an arts in health grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts to continue and expand their Improv for Caregivers program through a larger umbrella program titled “Improv for a Cause.” “Improv for a Cause” will encompass two communication programs that use a similar process to reach different communities. The first, Improv for Caregivers, in partnership with Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice, is an ongoing communication workshop series for those who care for loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer's. ... Each improv workshop session combines insight from healthcare professionals with improvisational theatre techniques, with a goal of developing new communication skills, strategies to cope with stress, flexibility in relationships, and an understanding of loved ones' changing perspectives. With guidance from the VNA and caregivers in the community, the team of actors prepare short scenarios that portray situations caregivers commonly face, such as sundowning, taking away car keys, collaborating with care staff, and hallucinations. ...

Woman explains viral video of brother with hospice nurses before he died ABC News - GMA; Shafiq Najib; 9/20/24 Marcella Brown's little brother, Omar Mamoe, died of appendix cancer at 34. A woman explained the story behind the viral video of her brother going on a walk and having fun with the nurses during his final days in hospice before his death. In an Instagram video shared by Marcella Brown of Austin, Texas, recently, her late brother Omar Mamoe can be seen sitting in a wheelchair as he was about to exit his room accompanied by the nurses who entertained him by rapping to a song, "It Was a Good Day," by Ice Cube. The clip, which has garnered over 5 million views, was taken eight days before Mamoe died, showing how he kept his spirits high and brought smiles to those around him. Speaking to "Good Morning America," Brown said she shared the video last month because she was feeling sad at the time, thinking about her late brother. "The video came up, and it just made me feel happy, and it just reminded me that towards the end of his life, like there were these little moments that were good," she said. [Click on the title's link to view the video and read more.]Editor's note: Omar's care was provided by Hospice Austin's Christopher House. Click here (and scroll down) for a different, beautiful video story about Omar and his family. 

[Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month] Artists on death, grief, and cancer Burnaway; by Carolina Ana Drake; 9/17/24... Living in Miami and raising my toddler in this city, I’ve discovered artists who similarly lost a parent to cancer. Many, like me, happen to be the children of immigrants. Their works exemplify challenging, at times experimental, art that doesn’t fit the glitzy, market-driven Miami narrative. Through conversations and email exchanges, I learned more about how these artists transformed the darkness and grief of that period into something beautiful that is worth sharing with others. [Click on the title's link to see photos from the following exhibits.]

How music therapy helps this young cancer patient in Louisville hold on to 'pure joy' ABC WHAS-11, Louisville, KY; by Brooke Hasch; 9/17/24Music therapists come prepared for any mood, hoping to bring light to a dark situation. Within the Norton Healthcare system, they help patients cope with pain, discomfort, and anxiety often associated with hospitalization. Brett Northrup's the music therapist for Norton Children's Cancer Institute, a role he stepped into 13 years ago. "I didn't know it existed, and then when I discovered this field, I said, 'this is it. This is what I'm going to do the rest of my life,'" he said. Northrup doesn't miss a beat when a patient's in need of a smile or a moment of normalcy. He's been there many times for 4-year-old Trey Lowman, who's gone through more than most people will in a lifetime. ... "When you put [Trey] and Brett together, it's magic," [Trey's mom] said. "He's full of joy and that's one thing that cancer hasn't been able to take from him."

Simon Boas’ ‘inspirational’ book A Beginner’s Guide to Dying is published posthumously Jersey Evening Post; by Rod McLoughlin; 9/13/24 Friends and family of the late Simon Boas gathered ... to celebrate the posthumous publication of his book, A Beginner’s Guide to Dying. The former Jersey Overseas Aid chief executive – who died from throat cancer on 15 July at the age of 47 – spent his last months developing into a book ideas first explored in articles for the Jersey Evening Post. Described by the Daily Mail as “an inspirational paean to the joy of life”, Mr Boas’ words reached a huge audience after they were reprinted in the national press and broadcast on the BBC’s Today programme. A proportion of the proceeds are being donated to the African Palliative Care Association and the International Children’s Palliative Care Network. Mr Boas’ inspiring writings in the face of his terminal diagnosis saw him awarded the Bailiff’s Silver Medal in May. Shortly before his death, he also received a personal letter from the King and Queen ahead of their visit to Jersey.

A dying wish: Longtime hospice volunteer has a challenge for GV Green Valley News, Green Valley, AZ; by Dan Shearer; 9/10/24 ... The woman who walked alongside dying patients as a hospice volunteer for more than 20 years is now herself in hospice. She smiles but says the glistening in her eyes are sad tears. But cancer hasn't taken her joy, and she’s emotionally strong enough to meet with a reporter in her final weeks to make a request of Green Valley: Please consider taking up just the kind of work she’s been doing for two decades. It’s tough, but it comes with lessons and blessings that last a lifetime. ...

CHCF unveils palliative care mural California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CHCF); by Lt. M. Orozco; 9/9/24 California Health Care Facility (CHCF) staff joined the incarcerated population and outside stakeholders to unveil the palliative care mural Aug. 23. Warden Gena Jones had a vision to normalize CHCF’s environment, making it more appealing for the incarcerated population and staff to enjoy while working. The vision consists of murals being painted throughout the institution with this mural setting the path for many more to come. In April 2024, incarcerated artists Issac Sinsun, Antiono Garcia, Loreto Arizpe, and Francsico Olivares started the palliative care mural. Little did they know it was the start to a new beginning. With the combined efforts of the four artists, the mural took 81 days and about 2,268 hours to complete. The ideas for the artwork were a combined effort from custody and medical staff as well incarcerated population within the housing unit. [Click on the title's link to see photos.]

After successful IT career, Denise DeLeo finds new meaning in teen hobby LNP / LancasterOnline, Lancaster, PA; by Karyl Carmingnani; 9/4/24 For 50 years, the Lancaster New Era ... highlighted the accomplishments and aspirations of local high school students in a weekly feature known as Teen of the Week. This is one of a series of stories in which we catch up with some of those students highlighted 50 years ago, in 1974, to see how their lives met their teenage goals and what they would tell today’s high school students. When Denise Weitzel was featured as a Teen of the Week in 1974, the bright-eyed 18-year-old had spent three months as an exchange student in a speck of a town in Denmark, was an avid seamstress, ... [Denise] DeLeo got her first sewing machine when she was 12, and made a lot of her clothes growing up. ... DeLeo had an illustrious career in IT, becoming vice president for an information company. But tragedy struck when a disgruntled employee at one of her company’s clients returned to the workplace and gunned down nine people, including her boss. DeLeo decided to leave the industry and help raise her granddaughter instead. And get back to what she loves: sewing. DeLeo also makes memory bears for hospice families. She uses clothing from the deceased person to make personalized keepsakes for family members. 

Patients are everyday heroes The Andalusia Star News, Andalusia, AL; by Vickie C. Waster; 9/2/24 One of my favorite songs is by Mariah Carey. The communication of the chorus speaks to what we in hospice and other areas of healthcare experience every day. This song always invokes empathy in my heart, and I believe many of you can truly resonate with the lyrics, as we share a common experience in our roles in healthcare. ... The heroes we encounter are our patients, families, and their caregivers. They show heroism in their resilience, their ability to find hope in difficult circumstances, and their unwavering support for each other. As hospice professionals, we acknowledge that we are entrusted to provide medical, spiritual, and emotional support to those in our care. We do this with a deep sense of humility and humbleness, always mindful of the respect our heroes deserve.  “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure despite overwhelming obstacles.” Christopher Reeve

Grief Memoir: ‘It was my turn to do everything for her We Are The Mighty; by Jessica Hall; 8/28/24 ... I joined the phone call with the doctor where he told us all the worst news. The cancer was growing everywhere along the spine. ... He told us that it was time for hospice. ... Even though I had been preparing for this for months, I was truly not ready to go from child to caretaker. ... For my entire life, my mom had cared for me. She had been there when I was sick or hurt. She cleaned my house (sometimes to my chagrin). She cooked my favorite meals and she let me take breaks. Now it was my turn to do everything for her. It hit me like a ton of bricks, but I also just knew that I had to do it. We all had to do everything for her to make her final days easy for her. Hospice came by to get everything set up. ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading this beautiful, personal story.]Editor's Note: Calling all hospice executive leaders who do not have clinical, direct patient care experience--read this article to grasp common family dynamics, decisions, actions, emotions, and life-changing moments for each patient you serve. Multiply this out for the many family members of each patient you serve. How do your hospice services tune into and support these family members?

Hospice patient publishes first poetry book BBC News, Derby, United Kingdom; by Jude Winter; 8/26/24 A woman receiving end-of-life care has fulfilled an ambition by publishing a book of poems. Sarah Colina started writing the poems more than 40 years ago but never got round to getting her work published despite encouragement from friends and family. The 60-year-old has been receiving care at Ashgate Hospice since being admitted to its Inpatient Unit in Old Brampton, Chesterfield. ... he added staff at the hospice had been "so supportive" and is selling 50 of her books to raise money to support their work. "I’m hoping it will be nicely received and people will enjoy reading my poems", said Ms Colina. She added: "Some of the poems are very dark, but some make you laugh. "I'm hoping it gives people an insight into their inner person." 

Crafting holiday joy for Hernando Pasco Hospice patients Hernando Sun, New Port Richey, FL; by Megan Hussey; 8/26/24 It is the mission of Hernando Pasco Hospice and HPH Hospice Women of Giving to make this coming holiday season a brighter one for all patients served by HPH, and for HPH staff and team members, with the help of beautiful, jubilant holiday cards custom-made for them. It is their goal, in fact, to create at least 1,000 cards for these deserving individuals based in Hernando, Pasco and Citrus counties through the Crafty Christmas Campaign. ... “This is our second year for Crafty Christmas,” said Andrea Arflack, Director of Philanthropy Chapters Health Foundation In support of HPH Hospice. “It was created by one of our staff members in the spirit of giving. We made more than 1,000 cards last year for HPH patients and workers and plan to do the same thing this year.”Editor's Note: Now's the time to adapt this easy, meaningful community engagement with your volunteers and community partners. 

Bonners Ferry Class of 1991 celebrates classmate in hospice care Coeur d'Alene/Post Falls Press, Coeur d'Alene, ID; by Staff Report; 8/26/24 No amount of time or distance can weaken the bonds of true friendship. The Bonners Ferry High School Class of 1991 proved that recently when they gathered at Hospice of North Idaho’s Schneidmiller House for a surprise reunion. Teresa Skeen, 52, is battling terminal cancer, ... buoyed by the support of family and friends who have visited day and night since she was admitted to hospice care at Schneidmiller House. She often spoke fondly of her high school years, reminiscing about the close-knit Bonners Ferry community and the cherished friendships she forged at school. “When we heard about her diagnosis, we knew we had to do something special for her, something that would remind her of how much she means to us,” said Laura, a friend and classmate. ... Unbeknownst to Skeen, her classmates worked with Schneidmiller House staff to plan a special celebration. ...