Literature Review

[United Kingdom] Tulip spectacle helping to prevent hospice cuts BBC News, Hillington, United Kingdom; by Zoe Applegate; 4/19/26 A sprawling striped patchwork of tulips has reopened to the public, raising money for a hospice that says it could be forced to cut services and jobs without the funding. About 9.1 million of the bell-shaped blooms now carpet 20 acres (8ha) near Sandringham, Norfolk, and should raise £500,000 for Tapping House hospice in nearby Hillington. ... Tapping House's chief executive, Niki Ellis, said if the event did not take place the charity would have to consider closing services or reducing staff numbers. ... The hospice head said the ticketed showstopping display, which once doubled as Munchkinland in Hollywood blockbuster Wicked, was its major fundraiser and also represented the spirit of its services.

End-of-life nurse's top things terminal patients wish they knew earlier: pearls of wisdom from people in their final days have been revealed Wales Online; by Samantha Leathers; 4/17/26 End-of-life care specialists at Marie Curie have revealed the most precious wisdom shared by dying patients in their final months, weeks and days, urging others to focus on what genuinely matters. Living in the moment, letting go of grudges and embracing life without fear were among their top recommendations. Multiple nurses and care assistants also revealed that among the most common regrets voiced was missing family gatherings due to work obligations. This ranks alongside worrying excessively about money, with numerous patients advising their loved ones to invest in memorable moments instead of saving for potential emergencies.

Giving back gives purpose to local woman The Hinsdalean; by Ken Knutson; 4/15/26 Those nearing the end of life and their loved ones may not know Bonnie Walk. But her longstanding, dedicated behind-the-scenes volunteer service for St. Thomas Hospice has helped deliver resources and comfort to untold families during difficult seasons. ... "I work anywhere from one hour to six hours a week," she said. "It just depends on what needs to be done." ... How long will she stick with it? "Until I can't, I suppose," said Walk, not keen on passive entertainment. "You've got to do something. I'd rather help than not."

[Global] Compassionate communities in action: global stories of care, loss and connection Taylor & Francis Group, London, UK; edited by Emma Hodges and Manjula Patel; ebook published 1/1/26 Compassionate Communities in Action: Global Stories of Care, Loss and Connection brings together practical examples of compassionate cities and communities from around the world. Together they provide a practical road map, highlighting what has worked and what has been challenging, alongside reflections from the communities profiled. ... Demonstrating public health palliative care in practice, this guide is an essential read for people working in the field of palliative and end‑of‑life care, as well as academics, students, and policymakers with an interest in the area. ... The Open Access version of this book, available at https://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Licence CC-BY-NC-ND. Editor's Note: This 334 page book is available for free download via the links above.

[United Kingdom] Marathon run 'a gift', says mum with terminal cancer BBC; by Charlotte Coles and Seb Sargent; 4/12/26 A woman with a rare terminal cancer is set to fulfil a "wild goal" when she runs the London Marathon in aid of a national cancer support charity. Sarah Demirtges, from Adderbury, Oxfordshire, was diagnosed with adrenal cancer in 2020 and is currently undergoing palliative treatment. The 47-year-old said she would be running to prove "to anyone affected by cancer that you can't be held back by things." The mum-of-two has raised more than £15,000 to date for Maggie's, to give "a little something back" to the charity she said has helped her.

‘We provide end-of-life care. Here is the advice we often hear from terminally ill patients’ Independent; by Rosie Shead; 4/13/26 For the fundraising drive, Capital radio DJ Kemi Rodgers met with nurses from the end-of-life charity. They showcased placards adorned with wisdom from patients at a Superdrug store in London. One placard urged individuals to embrace the present and release past grievances. Further counsel included not dedicating too much time to work at the expense of life experiences, cherishing memories made with loved ones, and utilising money to create happy moments rather than saving it all for a future contingency, the charity stated. 

Sew Blessed honors Vietnam veteran with patriotic quilt The Herald, Roanoke Rapids, NC; 4/13/26 April 9 was a special Sew Blessed day for the quilt makers as they thanked Russell Crotts, a local U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, for his military service and presented him with a patriotic quilt. ... Crotts spoke to the group about some critical events during his military service, how they affected him and how eventually those events led him to the training of Flo, his service dog. ... This past year, as a veteran pet support volunteer with Liberty Hospice, Russ and Flo have traveled multiple counties, visited 27 hospice patients, and provided an opportunity for a unique connection of comfort between Flo and Liberty Hospice patients.

Art Dash draws crowd, raises funds for Oregon’s Serenity Hospice and Home Shaw Local News, Oregon, IL; Press Release4/10/26 The fifth annual Art Dash benefiting Serenity Hospice and Home was held April 8 at River’s Edge Experience, drawing more than 200 attendees for an evening of art, community, and philanthropy. ... Serenity CEO Suzanne Ravlin reflected on the event’s impact: “The Art Dash brings together art, community, and fundraising, but it has become much more. It is a celebration of generosity, connection, and the incredible impact we can make when we come together with purpose. Each piece of art tells a story – of humanity, love, struggle, beauty, and the moments that matter most. 

Westhampton teen's care packages honor her late father WN.com - Newsday; by Michael R. Ebert; 3/29/26 ... Elizabeth Sultan, a junior at Westhampton Beach High School, recently spearheaded a program called Peter's Packages, named in honor of her father, Peter, who died last year at 54 after suffering a heart attack while competing in the Jamesport Triathlon. Sultan's initiative provides curated care packages that contain items ranging from books to blankets. She said she was inspired to launch the effort after she and her brother, William, received similar comfort items from community members following their father's death.

Students provide a lifeline for dementia caregiver Lovin' Life; by Lin Sue Flood; 4/5/26 When ASU junior Emily-Jane Crawford finishes her classes and homework, she travels to Glendale to visit a very special friend. Bud Addison is 81 years old, and despite his dementia, Emily-Jane’s visits are the highlight of his week. ... This connection is the heart of RISE (Respite in Student Engagement), a unique partnership between Arizona State University and Hospice of the Valley. The program matches students interested in health care careers with families caring for loved ones with dementia.

Seniors who say they’re “not afraid of death” often still carry these quiet worries they don’t talk about Bolde; by Julie Brown; 4/1/26 My grandmother said it so matter-of-factly that it almost stopped the conversation. ... "I'm not afraid of it," she said. "I've had a very good life. When it's time, it's time." And she meant it. I believed her completely. But then, a few minutes later, she mentioned almost in passing that she hoped she wouldn't "get confused" at the end.

Cleaning reframes end‑of‑life care for mental health The Philadelphia Tribune, Philadelphia, PA; by Lynn Akesson; 3/28/26... At its core, death cleaning is a decluttering practice: going through one’s belongings with the intention of reducing what survives us. But its appeal lies less in organization than in its promise of emotional relief. By transforming an abstract fear — leaving chaos behind — into a meaningful act of care, death cleaning reframes preparation for death as a process that can support psychological well-being in life. Editor's Note: For a related caregiving video specific to bereavement, visit "Re-Membering: Scrap 'Em, Store 'Em, or Stitch 'Em Together, by Composing Life Out of Loss (disclosure, a newsletter sponsor)

Live Oak Bank grant supports Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice nurses, addresses growing care shortage in North Carolina Business Insider, Wilmington, NC; Press Release; 3/31/26 Live Oak Bank is highlighting the impact of a $300,000 grant to the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Scholars program. LifeCare Scholars is designed to recruit, train, and retain registered nurses in hospice and palliative care, strengthening the essential healthcare workforce across southeastern North Carolina. LifeCare Scholars offers a six-month residency to new graduate nurses, blending classroom learning, mentorship, and hands-on clinical experience to help registered nurses transition into hospice and palliative care at no cost to participants. [Launched in 2021, read more for "Proven Impact an Measurable Outcomes"]