Literature Review

Hospice patient fulfills final wish of meal with his wife at Hard Rock Casino Fox 23 News, Catoosa, OK; by Paris Rain; 1/8/26 For one hospice patient, a simple trip to the Hard Rock Casino buffet became a final wish and thanks to a dedicated care team and community partners, that wish came true. For months, 84-year-old Tommy Evans talked about wanting to return to the Hard Rock Casino to enjoy the buffet, a place he and his wife once visited regularly. ... Transportation for the couple was donated, and the Hard Rock staff welcomed Evans on Thursday evening. “It’s an honor for me, as a chef, to be able to be a participant in this,” said Alfredo Vargas, executive sous chef at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. “We don’t have requests like this too often, so when this happened, we wanted to embrace it and make sure we did the best we could.” For Regina Marshall, the Compassus volunteer coordinator, the moment reflects the heart of hospice care.

Reconnecting at the end: The healing power of nature in hospice and palliative care ehospice; by Dr. Owen Wiseman; 1/5/26 ... Humans are wired to feel better in nature. We feel calmer when we see the colour green or hear water flowing from a stream nearby. ... Evidence shows that simply viewing nature can reduce pain, anxiety, and stress. In one of the most-cited studies, patients recovering from surgery who had window views of nature used 21% fewer pain medications and shortened hospital stays. ... I’ve had a front-row seat to the power of nature in palliative care, both professionally and personally. ...Small Ways to Bring Nature In - Not every hospice or palliative care space has access to large gardens or forests. That said, nature can still find a way in:

MJHS Hospice brings presents to patients and their siblings Spectrum News - NY-1, Manhattan, NY; by Emma Barnett; 12/30/25 Music, presents and sweet memories are defining this holiday season for the Menendez Pacheco family. Thanks to a special visit by MJHS Hospice, Jasmine Menendez’s twin daughters, Kamyl and Alliyah, got a plush blanket and glow-in-the-dark unicorn bedsheets for Christmas. Menendez says it “warms her heart.”

Students deliver custom holiday cards to hospital patients Butler Eagle, Butler, PA; by Sol McCormick; 12/23/25 The next generation of medical professionals might not be ready to deliver health care just yet, but they found a way to deliver a different type of care just before the holidays. About 20 or so members of Butler Senior High School’s Medical Careers Club gathered Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Butler Memorial Hospital to distribute around 1,500 holiday cards to patients. Each card was handmade by students of all eight of Butler Area School District’s elementary schools. ... “A lot of patients were so grateful. One of them, last year when we went up to Clarion, she was in hospice and only had a week left. They said that was the first time they saw her smile for days,” Reese said.

A time for community and kindness Senior Concerns; by Martha Shapiro; 12/24/25 I am inspired by the spirit of the holidays and hope to carry some of it with me into the coming year. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season. Then Chanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and finally the New Year. ... In truth, each holiday brings its own traditions, but together they form a season that invites reflection, generosity, and connection. ... Recently, someone wished me “happy all the things.”  It was a sweet and funny way to say happy holidays without knowing what holiday I celebrate. Truthfully, I do not mind what holiday someone references if their intent is to be kind. ...  At the same time, I am reminded that the holidays are not joyous for everyone. ... This year, I am making a conscious effort to practice small acts of kindness towards others, and to intentionally recognize and thank those that do them for me.

Princess Luz’s final wish Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post, Fredericksburg, TX; by Tammy Rohlf; 12/24/25Luzmaria Salazar, known to those who loved her as “Princess Luz,” was just 17 years old, but her courage and faith measured far beyond her years. After bravely battling a rare genetic disease that affected her nervous and immune systems, she passed away in June of 2025. One of her last wishes was simple, yet, seemed impossible: She wanted to swim with dolphins. Her mom, Jessica Gurrola, tried to make that dream happen with a trip to SeaWorld, but the experience fell short. That’s when the hospice team stepped in. With the help of a hospice volunteer and virtual reality technology, Luz’s dream came true in a way no one expected. When the headset was placed on her, something extraordinary happened. Her entire body calmed. ... 

Flossmoor foundation funds last wishes for hospice patients, boost for nursing students Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL; by Janice Neumann; 12/24/25 A foundation that was created to help hospice patients and their loved ones handle medical costs is also providing comfort when families need it most. Often, that comes in the form of resources to make the most of their remaining time. ... Formed in 2021, the Oasis Foundation raises money for education, well being, community events, funerals and transportation, officials said. It also funds a program called Hearts Desires, which endeavors to provide for patients’ last wishes requests. 

Girl, 6, spends pocket money on gifts for hospice BBC News; by Charlotte Benton; 12/23/25 A six-year-old girl has used her pocket money to buy Christmas presents for patients in a hospice. Eleri purchased "a car boot full of goodies", including chocolates, puzzle books, magazines and slippers, for people at Myton Hospice in Warwick, which cared for her grandmother. The six-year-old asked staff what gifts would help the most and said she wanted the patients to "feel looked after" and "not worry about not having things that they need." Sharon Kelly, ward manager at the hospice, said Eleri's kindness had "truly touched our whole team." She added: "Every item she thoughtfully chose will bring comfort, dignity and moments of joy to our patients and their families."

A woman in hospice granted a wish of one last swim WEAU-13 News, Bloomer, WI; by Danile Gomez; 7/16/25 Often times the small things are taken for granted. Like a dip in the pool. For Barbara Melby, it was on the final list of things to do as she lives out her time in hospice care. “Barbara has been doing pretty well. She has had some fatigue and some tiredness,” said Leah Grace, the registered nurse with St. Croix Hospice assigned to Melby’s case. ... Grace worked hard to make sure Melby’s last dip in the pool would come to fruition. She cleared it with Melby, her family and the managers at the hospice center. The aquatic center helped in granting the wish too. ... “The way the chair put me in down the water was very nice,” said Melby. Of those in Melby’s family that jumped in the pool with her included Stoll and her kids Colby, Sydney and Brody. “I grew up swimming in my grandmother’s pool. ...” said Stoll. She is happy to be there for her grandmother’s last swim. “Just a pretty special memory we will all hold on to for a pretty long time.” Melby was a swim instructor, ... It was something she always loved and it made her happy to have had her wish granted.

Remembering the Holocaust with little-known story about a Jewish refugee and Cicely Saunders: Honoring the International Holocaust Remembrance Day - 80th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz

City forced him to cut the oak tree tied to his late wife, so he found a way to save it forever Scoop Upworthy; by Prachi Mallick; 11/4/25 It was where he had proposed to her, where they carved their initials 30 years earlier, where their love had taken root. In a recent post, one husband shared how a city order forced him to say goodbye to the oak tree that had been central to his marriage, and how, instead of letting that final link vanish, he found a way to rebuild it into something he could carry with him forever. ... "For two years, I couldn’t touch it. Then, one day, I saw someone who had turned wood from his grandfather’s barn into furniture. Something clicked inside me. I taught myself woodworking through YouTube videos and practicing at night. Every cut, every curve of that tree became part of a door. The branches that once bore our initials are now the frame for all who enter our home."Editor's Note: Click here and scroll down for a photo of this husband's beautiful artistry.

Elderly people look at their younger reflections in this beautiful photo series by Tom Hussey Digital Synopsis; photos by Tom Hussey; retrieved from the internet 7/10/25 'Reflections of the Past' is an award-winning photo series by commercial advertising photographer Tom Hussey. The photographs show an elderly person looking pensively at the reflection of his/her younger self in the mirror. Hussey was inspired by a World War II veteran who said "I can't believe I'm going to be 80. I feel like I just came back from the war. I look in the mirror and see this old guy." It's beautiful, touching ... Editor's Note: Click here to view this touching series. The phrases "every photo tells a story" and "a picture is worth a thousand words" come to life. This award-winning campaign was used in a marketing campaign by Novartis for a treatment of Alzheimer's disease. [Our newsletter has no disclosures to report.] These photos are under strict copyright laws with strict enforcement. They can be shared easily via social media links at the top of its webpage. 

Redmond family honors late husband with holiday trees for cancer patients NBC KING-5, Redmond, WA; by Anne Erickson; 12/15/25 Every December, Linda Pankow's Redmond home fills with volunteers, friends and family for a 25-year tradition born from loss. "I like the mayhem," Pankow said with a smile. The group decorates more than 100 small holiday trees destined for cancer and hospice patients at Evergreen Health. "It's hard around holidays when you've lost somebody," Pankow said. Her husband, Rick, a nursery owner, died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 43. The tree-decorating project became a way to honor his memory and his love of trees. "Doing this and knowing my husband loved trees because he was a nursery person, it just kind of brings me joy," Pankow said. "It's a good memory of him and a tribute to him." The tradition has grown to include multiple generations. This year, Rick's two-month-old great-nephew Milar joined the effort.