Literature Review

Thanksgiving revisited: 2024 and 2025 I-70 West and Beyond - Travels Through Life; blog by Laurie Sunderland; Thanksgiving 2024 and 2025

Letters without limits: Jesse Tetterton The Johns Hopkins News-Letter; by Omkar Katkade; 11/22/25 Letters Without Limits, founded by students at Johns Hopkins and Brown University, connects volunteers with palliative care and hospice patients to co-create “Legacy Letters.” These letters capture memories, values and lessons that patients wish to share, preserving stories that might otherwise be lost. By honoring these voices and preserving legacies, Letters Without Limits hopes to affirm the central role of humanism in medicine, reminding us that every patient is more than their illness and that their voices deserve to be heard.

85-year-old woman in senior home brings down the house with Fleetwood Mac 'Landslide' cover: There wasn't a dry eye in the house. Upworthy; by Cecily Knobler; 11/16/25 On a hot Sunday in July, Carole Wade took the mic at a Dallas senior living facility where my mom lives. I happened to be visiting for the karaoke event, and the list of residents who couldn't wait to put their stamps on their favorite tunes was so long, the event had to be extended. ... When it was Wade's turn, the microphone was brought to her table. She took it in her hands as though it was an extension of her fingers as the music cued up. Then, as she began to effortlessly sing "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac, the room got still. Frozen. All eyes were on her, and most of those eyes were wet. The lyrics, so beautifully fitting:

Empathy is the strongest form of leadership: Kyle Godhard Cleveland.com; by guest columnist Kyle Godhard, VP of Human Resources at Hospice of the Western Reserve; 11/16/25 ... In hospice care, that compassion runs especially deep. Staff walk alongside patients and families in their final days, often carrying emotional weight long after each goodbye.  In such a setting, leadership must offer more than direction; it must offer empathy. At Hospice of the Western Reserve, we believe compassionate leadership is not only kind, but also strategic. And it may be the most important investment any healthcare organization can make. ... Compassionate leadership doesn’t replace high expectations. It strengthens them. It builds teams that trust one another, stay committed and show up fully for patients and families. 

Honoring compassion: A beautiful afternoon with Hospice Austin ActiveRain, Austin, TX; by Dorie Dillard; 11/16/25 Each year, I look forward to the Beauty of Life Luncheon hosted by Hospice Austin, a tradition that has become both meaningful and deeply personal for me. Held at the JW Marriott in downtown Austin, this year’s event was nothing short of extraordinary. More than 1,000 attendees filled the grand ballroom, creating a powerful sense of community and shared purpose. Even more inspiring, the luncheon raised an incredible $1,000,000 to support Hospice Austin’s mission of providing compassionate end-of-life care.

Meet Oscar: The cat who could predict death and comfort patients in a Rhode Island hospice doggodigest - Cats, DD Animal News; by Andrew Alpin, MSc; 11/17/25 ... Oscar, a seemingly ordinary therapy cat, possessed what appeared to be an uncanny gift, the ability to predict when patients were nearing their final moments. It is still a matter of scientific research and debate as to whether animals especially cats and dogs can predict death. ...

Hospice to deliver meals for homebound patients' Thanksgiving: Program volunteers will deliver over 700 Thanksgiving Day dinners on Nov. 27. Pike County Courier, Scranton, PA; 11/12/25 Hospice of the Sacred Heart will again spread the spirit of gratitude and compassion this holiday season through its annual Thanksgiving Program, taking place on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 27. This is the program’s 20th year. Each year, staff and volunteers come together to prepare, package, and deliver traditional Thanksgiving meals to Hospice of the Sacred Heart patients receiving care at home, along with their families. Over 700 meals are expected to be delivered. ... Diane Baldi, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart said, “This program allows us to bring comfort, care, and a sense of togetherness to our patients and their families on one of the most meaningful days of the year.”

Pidgie Chapman marks nearly four decades as a hospice volunteer The Pilot; by Maggie Boncurrter; 11/7/25 The ladies weren’t exactly Thelma and Louise of big screen fame, but they probably looked very similar driving through the Moore County community of Addor. FirstHealth Hospice volunteer Pidgie Chapman had a patient decades ago who loved to dress up and wear fancy hats. Chapman had quite the chapeau collection, so she presented her patient with a giant, floppy hat while donning a similar one. “In those days we could drive our patients around,” said Chapman, who has been a hospice volunteer since 1986. “We got in the car and visited all her friends – in our hats. She was absolutely delighted.” ... Chapman is one of the area’s most seasoned hospice volunteers, starting her career soon after the philosophy of care took hold in Moore County. 

Hospice of Orange & Sullivan’s sixth annual community breakfast features caregivers’ emotional stories of courage, compassion and dignity FocusMedia, Middletown, NY; Press Release; 11/7/25 Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc.’s Sixth Annual Community Breakfast celebrated the profound difference Hospice makes through caregivers who shared touching stories of supporting patients during their final life journey. The ”Real Stories, Real Impact” panel discussion was moderated by Eric Gatsik, President and CEO of Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties and Heather Bell-Meyer, President and CEO of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. About 115 attendees at the Barn at Villa Venezia connected, reflected and were inspired by stories of love, dignity and trust offered to patients at the end of their lives. 

Care-A-Van will make the rounds on Veterans Day Texarkana Gazette, Texarkana, TX; 11/2/25 Hospice of Texarkana will take to the streets again this Veteran's Day with its annual Care-A-Van, a rolling tribute to the men and women who have served the country. On Nov. 11, staff, volunteers and community partners will visit senior and assisted living centers throughout the area to thank and recognize local veterans, according to a news release from Hospice of Texarkana. ... Each stop will feature live patriotic music, certificate presentations and the giving of a U.S. flag to each veteran. In 2024, the Care-A-Van honored 110 veterans, and organizers hope to surpass that number this year, according to a news release.

Natalie’s Notes: Dad’s weekend needs events for grieving students The Post, Athens, OH; by Natalie Saddler; 10/31/25 This weekend is Ohio University’s Dads weekend, filled with events, ... throughout campus. Although many students enjoy these events, some students could be grieving a deceased loved one from afar, and this weekend may affect them negatively. ... However, the only hospice program in Athens doesn’t offer any support groups or community bereavement services. Many grieving Athens residents can’t access a proper support group, especially students with family members in hospice care. ... [A support event was created] through the Honoros Tutorial College called  AlternaDad’s.

Stitched with love: Allied’s memory bears offer comfort to grieving families in Northeast Pennsylvania WVIA News - PBS/NPR, Scranton, PA; by Lydia McFarlane; 10/27/25 Barbara Rushinski received a bear made of her partner’s pajamas after he passed in hospice care at Allied Services. She was so moved, she put her sewing skills to good use and joined the team of volunteers making the bears for grieving families in Northeast Pennsylvania. ... Allied offers its memory bears to grieving families whose loved ones died in hospice. ... Joyce Wizda started the program at Allied more than six years ago when she joined the healthcare system as a social worker. ... She estimates the volunteers make about 150 bears a year. ... Wizda encourages families to send in clothing items from their loved one’s closet to ease their grieving journey.

Mentorship, military legacy, and making a difference with Susan Combs Advisor Today; podcast with Susan Combs; 10/25/25 Susan Combs is the Founder of Pancakes for Roger, a nonprofit that honors veterans and amplifies their stories through a grassroots “pancakes” movement. She created it after her father, a Major General, asked for pancakes while on hospice, inspiring a campaign, book, and advocacy project.Editor's Note: Though Veteran's Day is only two weeks away, you have time to implement Susan's amazing "Pancakes for Roger" for the veterans you serve, via their annual national (and international) campaigns each February. Explore more information.