Literature Review

Navigating the aftermath of natural disasters Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); by Lara McKinnis; 11/15/24 This morning I woke up to two bears outside, a little cub sitting on our front steps eating the pumpkin that my daughter recently carved, the mom nearby completely sprawled out lounging in the sun in a bed of freshly fallen yellow and orange oak leaves.  This is the “fall” that I look forward to every year in Asheville. I wanted to hold onto this feeling, all of us standing at our screened-in window talking to the bears as if they understood us, our dog enthusiastically joining in the conversation.  This feeling is alive and vibrant; however, so is the visceral awareness of the horrific despair that has engulfed my beloved community and so many communities in Western North Carolina. ...  Adjusting to a natural disaster is nuanced and layered.  [Click on the title's link to continue reading this hospice leader's reflections and professional guidance.]

$11,650 raised by October’s Annual United Hospice Service luncheon Sanilac Broadcasting Company - WMIC/WTGV/WBGV, Sandusky, MI; 11/15/24 The Annual United Hospice Service Luncheon, held on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, at the Marlette Elementary School was a success with a total of 130 tickets sold. The event included a delightful afternoon featuring a catered lunch, a prize-drawing raffle, a silent auction, and a lively fundraising auction hosted by Aspire Rural Health System’s own co-CEO, Andy Daniels. Businesses donated over 120 items for the fundraising auction such as Holiday-themed baskets, quilts, gift certificates, ground beef, a chartered fishing day, merchandise, crafts, and more. The event raised a total of $11,650 for United Hospice Service.

It's not just pumpkin spice time--it's time for the family conversation! Dunlap Bennet & Ludwig; by George Reilly; 11/13/24 “Quality family time” is a phrase often heard in the period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, sometimes even with air quotes, to describe what many people believe to be a necessary, but not necessarily enjoyable, time of family togetherness. ... Whatever your perspective on this “quality family time,” chances are that for most of you, it was/will be a missed opportunity to discuss very important matters with your loved ones—namely what happens in the event of disability or death; who takes care of what; a parent’s (or grandparents, or your own) wishes on the end of life medical care and funeral/burial/cremation choices; your wishes on guardians for minor children; and other critical, but admittedly sensitive and gloomy topics. ...  Consider these statistics from surveys conducted by the Conversation Project: ... 92% of Americans say it’s important to discuss their wishes for end-of-life care, but only 32% have had such a conversation! [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

Carolina Caring celebrates fourth graduating class of CNA Training and Job Placement Program Focus, Newton, NC; 11/13/24 On the evening of Thursday, October 24th, Carolina Caring recognized the seven graduates of its latest Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Training and Job Placement Program. ... This state-approved CNA Training Program runs for eight weeks at Carolina Caring’s Newton campus on 3975 Robinson Road. Led by licensed nursing instructors, these courses provide expert hands-on education which prepares students to pass the intensive North Carolina Nurse Aide certification exam. Students receive financial aid throughout the program, and all graduates who successfully complete their certifications are offered positions with Carolina Caring. ... “Carolina Caring blessed me by selecting me for this program and providing me with an opportunity that I otherwise would not have been able to financially invest in at this current moment,” said Allison Ackley, class valedictorian. “They poured into me, and so I’m going to be pouring back into them.”Editor's note from Carolina Caring's website: "In 1979, Carolina Caring was established as one of North Carolina’s original three hospice providers. We were a small group of grassroots volunteers with a mission: to help our parents, grandparents and neighbors walk through their final moments with dignity and respect." We congratulate you on this innovative, mission-driven educational and staffing initiative.

99-year-old World War II veteran in Sioux City attends Hospice of Siouxland Veterans Luncheon KTIV 4, Sioux City, IA; by Taylor Deckert; 11/12/24 Siouxland veterans were busy on Nov. 11 as many businesses and organizations celebrated their service to our country. Hospice of Siouxland hosted their luncheon the following day on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Each year, they host it around Veterans Day so these veterans can enjoy all the other events in the area. Veterans and their families were celebrated with a pinning ceremony by Veteran Volunteers with Hospice of Siouxland. “I enjoy them. I’ve been going to these for many years. ...” said WWII Veteran, Robert Irwin of Sioux City who got pinned on Tuesday. He continued, “There are only one or two of us left. I got drafted in 1943, sent me to Europe as a machine gunner. We got shot down, but, were able to make it back to England. We made the rest of our tour. From that, I came back and helped start the Air National Guard,” said Irwin. “I had my windshield shot out.” He also served in Korea as a pilot. “I spent 24 years in,” said Irwin.

Hospice organizations honor veterans for Veterans Day

Local veteran continues to serve by visiting hospice veterans Lundington Daily News, Lundington, MI; by Shanna Avery; 11/9/24 With love of service to their country, some veterans continue to find ways to serve and make a difference, and Ludington veteran Dick Gregaitis does just that when he visits other veterans as they approach the end of their lives. Gregaitis has been volunteering with Hospice of Michigan in the local area for eight years, where he visits veteran patients. Gregaitis served in the U.S. Navy from Aug. 1962 to 1965, then the U.S. Air Force until he retired in 1986 as senior master sergeant. Gregaitis said he has been around this area, and met his wife of 55 years at Round Lake. He traveled all over while in the military. It is through his own experiences, he shares a bond with other veterans. “To me, it is a way to give back to the community,” he said. “A lot of veterans don’t get people stopping by or talking. They like someone there that knows about the military. I even designed a badge that says, ‘military outreach.’ It is a win/win. I like to do it and I have the time to do it, and they like someone to say hi to.”

Veterans Day speaker will bring unique perspective to Emma Kelly Theater: Ogeechee Hospice chaplain Nick Spletstoser to offer keynote address at annual observance Monday Statesboro Herald, Statesboro, GA; by Jim Healy; 11/7/24 Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Nick Spletstoser, the senior hospice chaplain at Ogeechee Area Hospice, will give the keynote remarks during the annual Veterans Day program Monday, Nov. 11 in the Emma Kelly Theater in downtown Statesboro. Hosted by American Legion Dexter Allen Post 90, the event is free, with the public encouraged to attend. In keeping with the origins of Veterans Day in the World War I armistice of 1918, when the guns were silenced at the “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,” the speaking program begins at 11 a.m. ... As an Army National Guardsman in Georgia and South Carolina over the past 32 years, Spletstoser said his keynote address will cover a variety of topics and observations from his long career. ... He said he will discuss the impact of caring for fellow veterans in the community, as well as helping veterans and their families when they come to Ogeechee Area Hospice. Editor's note: For those reading this the morning of 11/11, how might you honor the 11 a.m. marker? (I'm glad to learn this.) Thank you, Ogeechee Hospice and Chaplain Nick Spletstoser for your hospice leadership and support to your community on this Veterans Day.

[National Hospice and Palliative Month] “Light It Up Purple” set for November 14 Sand Mountain The Reporter, Albertville, AL; by Mary Bailey; 11/6/24 Shepherd’s Cove Hospice is encouraging the community to “light it up purple” in November to raise awareness for National Hospice and Palliative Month. On November 14, Shepherd’s Cove is asking the community to switch your regular light bulbs for their special purple bulbs to spread awareness. Shalon Steed, Marketing and Sales Director for Shepherd’s Cove, came up with the idea a few years back.

Specialized hospice care program honors and supports veterans facing terminal illness NBC 10 News - WSLS, Southwest and Centeral Virginia; by Kelly Marsh; updated 11/7/24 In Southwest Virginia, a quarter of people with a terminal illness is a veteran, a statistic that highlights the unique challenges many former service members face in their final days. In response to this, several specialized hospice programs in the region have been developed to offer care that specifically addresses the needs of veterans as they navigate the end-of-life journey. For many veterans, the experience of facing terminal illness is compounded by the physical and emotional toll of their military service, particularly conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. ... The We Honor Veterans program, created through a partnership between the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, encourages hospice centers to offer a heightened level of care for veterans. Across Southwest Virginia, multiple hospice programs have achieved the highest level of recognition—Level 5—demonstrating their commitment to providing veterans with the best possible care. One such program is based in Franklin County. Despite its size, Carilion Hospice in Franklin County has earned a five-star status for its exceptional veteran services ...Editor's note: We thank and recognize all hospice organizations that find meaningful ways to support and honor your veterans. Click here for more information about NHPCO/The Alliance for Care at Home's We Honor Veterans program.

It takes more than love to care for a loved one Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business; guest column by Jason Erskine, AARP; 11/5/24 Chances are, if you aren’t a family caregiver, you know someone who is. Every day, more than 820,000 Washingtonians help their parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, neighbors and other loved ones to live independently at home – where they want to be. November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to highlight the important work these folks do. But simply thanking them isn’t enough. ... AARP and United Way have teamed up to connect caregivers with trained, compassionate people in your community who can help you find AARP caregiving resources and more. It’s called 211, it’s a free service, and you can talk to specialists who can help you find local resources for caring for your loved one … and for yourself too. ... AARP Washington is here to help with information and resources to support and connect caregivers. Go to: aarp.org/caregiverswa.

Busting myths about hospice care: Dr. Laura Godinez Cleveland.com, Cleveland, OH; by guest columnist Dr. Laura Godinez, MD, an associate medical director fo  Hospice of the Western Reserve; 11/3/24 In an era in which misconceptions about hospice care persist, it’s crucial to set the record straight. Let’s address some common myths.