Literature Review

Have a question about death? A new project may have answers. The New York Times; by John Otis; 8/5/25 A new Times series examines the topic of death and dying in 2025. Ms. Pisapia, an editor on The Times’s Projects and Initiatives team, pitched a series to her team titled “Death in the Modern Age.” It would focus on end-of-life issues and serve as a resource for readers who might be grappling with their own mortality or coping with the loss of someone close to them. ... The cornerstone of the project is an F.A.Q. titled “Let’s Talk About Death,” compiled from several hundred submissions from Times readers who either asked questions related to death and dying or shared personal experiences.

Would you go to a local Death Cafe? It's a chance to eat cake and talk end-of-life issues Times Telegram, Utica, NY; by Amy Neff Roth; 8/12/25 Key Points:

Emerald Coast Hospice hosts Annual Back-to-School Drive-Thru Jackson County Times; by Shelia Mader; 8/4/25 Emerald Coast Hospice Care once again stepped up to support the community it serves, hosting its third annual back-to-school drive-thru supply event this past Friday morning. Though not held consecutively each year, the effort continues to grow in impact, reaching nearly 140 children this year with essential school supplies and a few extra treats. ... Through their ongoing efforts, Emerald Coast Hospice Care continues to be a vital presence not only in healthcare but also in the daily lives of families across the region. Editor's Note: How inspiring. Due to the philanthropic nature of our hospice work, giving to a hospice organization is an easy norm. This out-of-the-box example of a hospice supporting the community--and for children instead of senior adults--encourages us all to see needs, creatively respond. Make a difference. Thanks Emerald Coast Hospice!

Flight of the Dove celebrates 20 years of riding with purpose Laurens County Buzz, Laurens County, SC; 8/6/25 Not even the rain could dampen the spirit of this year’s Flight of the Dove, as 255 cyclists from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia took to the roads on Saturday, August 2, raising an impressive $52,415 for VIA Health Partners – Laurens County [South Carolina]. ...  Tom Atwood, Vice President of Philanthropy said, “The cause is worth every mile, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who braved the rain to make the 20th anniversary ride a success.” ... Riders were offered multiple route options—14, 30, 50, and 62 miles—as well as a 50-mile “challenge” course with added elevation. 

Hospice of Marion County holds monthly Memory Cafes Marion Citizen; by Diane Renyhart; 7/30/25 ...  It is estimated that 15,000 Marion County residents are struggling with some form of dementia. There are over 600 Memory Cafes around the country, and we are fortunate to have one here in Ocala as part of the Dementia Education Program at Hospice of Marion County. The Memory Cafes are held the second Friday of each month at the Empath Health Hospice Elliot Center and feature special themes. The meeting room is decorated and the tables have centerpieces that often include balloons. ... Every meeting features special activities each month. The local Memory Café has partnered with Arts and Health Ocala Metro.

Nathan Adelson Hospice celebrates ‘Make A Will’ Month: The trusted hospice facility to offer free will-planning resources throughout the month of August Nevada Business; by Nathan Adelson Hospice; 8/1/25 ... For the month of August, Nathan Adelson Hospice aims to help inspire individuals to recognize the people closest to them in their lives, articulate their final desires, and ensure that all wishes are granted when the time comes, by offering a free resource, FreeWill. This resource aims to guide the community through the necessary steps of outlining a will and handling all wishes with dignity and care. “At Nathan Adelson Hospice, we understand that topics surrounding end-of-life care are always challenging. However, we believe in the power of communication and planning ahead,” says Lori Towsend, Executive Director. 

Annual Hospice Home & Garden Tour raises more than $29,000 for hospice services Granite VNA, Laconia, NH; Press Release; 7/29/25 Granite VNA’s annual Hospice Home & Garden Tour raised more than $29,000 to support the agency’s hospice services. This year’s tour featured five remarkable properties in Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro including a country Colonial, an antique farmhouse, a lovingly restored Cape Cod-style home, a classic Craftsman-style home, and the Clark House Museum. More than 450 attendees spent a warm July afternoon touring through Lakes Region homes and gardens, enjoying historical builds, elegant interiors, breathtaking gardens and Lakes Region vistas. 

Vet to Vet Cafe brings veterans together Tribune Chronicle, Warren, ; by Bob Coupland; 7/26/25 Veterans looking for a casual place to gather for fellowship, conversation, snacks and education can visit the newly formed Vet to Vet Cafe at the Warren SCOPE Senior Center. The new program, which started this summer, runs from 2 to 4 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the senior center, ... John Bower, chaplain for Grace Hospice, said there are educational programs focused on veterans, including assistance with therapy access, acquiring necessary items such as hearing aids and utilizing services offered by the Veterans Association.  “We started in June as an opportunity to get veterans together for conversation or educational programs,” Bower said. ... Autumn Lopez, administrator for Grace Hospice, expressed enthusiasm for organizing the Vet to Vet Cafe with participating veterans. “The goal is to connect veterans with the services and programs that are out there to help them,” she said.

Be on the lookout for this new Medicare scam Las Vegas Review-Journal; by Toni King; 7/24/25 Dear Toni: A hospice agent recently came knocking on the doors in my neighborhood saying he represented Medicare. He was giving away hospice gifts and told me that I could receive these Medicare services at no charge for me and my husband. I told him that I did not give out personal information to anyone that I do not know. Now, I’m concerned that I could have made a mistake. Should I call and ask if this Medicare service is still available? —Deidre, Katy, Texas Dear Deidre: Medicare is not giving away anything free! This is a new scam that is targeting America’s Medicare population.  ...Editor's Note: Though we’ve addressed this topic repeatedly in recent months, ongoing awareness and community education remain essential. Please continue seeking opportunities to collaborate with media outlets in your service areas to help inform and protect vulnerable populations. Use the following articles—previously featured in our newsletter—as reference points:

'A long, beautiful time together': Photo exhibit 'Til Death Do Us Part'KUT 90.5, Austin, TX; by Michael Lee; 7/21/25“Well, we have to go back five years to the beginning of the pandemic,” says photographer Becky Wilkes, recalling how she came to create the exhibit Til Death Do Us Part. ... Wilkes and her siblings found themselves making frequent trips to Waco to care for their almost-90-year-old parents, and then the looming threat of a global pandemic made an already-difficult situation worse. ... She’d already started snapping some cell phone photos to share with her siblings, but seeing her parents together again, with what seemed like a renewed sense of love and togetherness, Wilkes decided to capture more and better photos. “And then I did have a conversation with them very quickly and I requested permission to photograph them,” she says. The resulting photography exhibit, Til Death Do Us Part, chronicles that last year of her parents’ lives.  ... The story ultimately ends in their death and our understanding of their death. But the story is really about their living. And, that's really… that's really beautiful.” Editor's Note: Click here for Becky Wilkes' website page with her descriptions and photos. 

Online reputation management crucial for hospices, home-based care providers Hospice News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 7/18/25 Hospice and home-based care providers cannot put online reputation management on the back burner. That’s a key takeaway from a recent report from Transcend Strategy Group. While all businesses should be concerned about maintaining a good online reputation, this is especially important for home-based hospice care providers due to their unique care delivery setting, according to Tony Kudner, chief strategy officer at Transcend. A hospice provider’s digital presence can give patients and their families greater insight when it comes to the quality and depth of their services, Kudner said. “When you are dealing with the intimacy of someone coming into your home, the personalization and how you feel about the agency that you open the door for matters more,” Kudner told Hospice News.

With new facility, Mourning Dove Grief Care expands help for survivors of loss Oil City News, Casper, WY; by Dan Cepe; 7/16/25 Death can be natural, or it can be cruel and unexpected. It is, however, an inevitable part of the human experience that can affect survivors in countless ways possibly for the remainder of their lives. ... Mourning Dove Grief Care, a service by Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions, aims to provide that help to members of the community.  ... The [new] facility will allow anyone in the community suffering from loss to walk in and schedule appointments or join a support group, whether they’ve gone through Hospice or not. The program itself started when Hospice noted the need for grief care in the community, particularly for people suffering from sudden losses. “Interestingly enough, we found that even therapists and counselors were referring to us when they had clients dealing with loss,” she said. 

‘Little Golf’ and Grill brings community together for hospice The Monroe Times, Monroe, WI; 7/11/25 The Monroe Clinic & Hospital Foundation’s annual “Little Golf” and Grill event, held on June 17, once again brought together community members for an evening filled with laughter, camaraderie, and purpose. The event began with an afternoon of mini golf at Swissland Miniature Golf in New Glarus. Hospice volunteers and staff provided games and fun facts about hospice throughout the course until the Alp Horns signaled the transition to a festive dinner and program under the tent at Chalet Landhaus Inn. During the program, the Colden Family shared their hospice story and gratitude for their loved one’s care so that “they could be family, not caretakers”. Thanks to the generous support of local businesses, donors, and attendees, the event raised $78,853 in support of local hospice care. This brings the total raised over the event’s 33-year history to more than $1,084,000.