Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Hospice Provider News | Community Outreach.”
Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley grief services coordinator discusses deeper meaning for spring cleaning
03/27/26 at 03:00 AMHospice of St. Lawrence Valley grief services coordinator discusses deeper meaning for spring cleaning North Country Now, Potsdam, NY; by Kate Favaro; 3/26/26 There is something about those first few spring days in the North Country that makes us want to throw all the windows up and let in the fresh air and sunlight. Spring cleaning has become a ritual of sorts. ... Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley offers the following when considering a deeper meaning behind spring cleaning: ... widen your idea of what spring cleaning can involve. Start with the basics and work out from there. Clean out a drawer. Label a photograph. Update a document or password. Tell a trusted person where they can find the important papers. Sometimes the most meaningful spring cleaning happens where no one else can see it, but everyone you love will one day feel its impact.
‘No one is safe’ in CMS’ fraud fight
03/27/26 at 02:00 AM‘No one is safe’ in CMS’ fraud fight Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 3/25/26 The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is casting a wide net in its anti-fraud efforts, and some legitimate providers are finding themselves on the hook. ... CMS has pledged to crack down hard on fraudulent hospices, but to date some of their efforts lack transparency and could represent a threat to honest providers, according to Andrew Brenton, attorney with Husch Blackwell. “With the wide net that CMS is casting, certainly, good hospices are being caught up in that,” Brenton said at the Hospice News ELEVATE conference. “I think no one is really safe, because a lot of this is a black box; the methodology by which CMS chooses which hospices to audit or otherwise target for enforcement is kind of unknown.”
[United Kingdom] Hundreds run in memory of mum and 'dearest friend'
03/24/26 at 03:00 AM[United Kingdom] Hundreds run in memory of mum and 'dearest friend' BBC News, Yorkshire, United Kingdom; by Fiona Callow and Heidi Tomlinson; 3/22/26 More than 200 family and friends of a woman who died of cancer last month have run a 10k in her memory.Debbie Holland, 47, spent her final days being cared for at Wakefield Hospice, two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. A fundraising page, set up to sponsor the runners, has almost raised more than 10 times its original target of £3,000. Debbie's husband Andrew said: "We always felt we wanted to pay back. The staff in Wakefield Hospice are amazing."
What we get wrong about comfort at the end of life: Jennifer Martnick ; Comfort care is not about retreat. It is about presence, writes guest columnist Jennifer Martnick
03/24/26 at 03:00 AMWhat we get wrong about comfort at the end of life: Jennifer Martnick Cleveland.com, Cleveland, OH; by guest columnist Jennifer Martnick; 3/22/26 When people hear the word comfort in the context of serious illness or the end of life, they often picture something passive. A quiet room. Soft blankets. And a sense that medical care has somehow stepped back. That misunderstanding is one of the most persistent myths in health care. Comfort care is not about doing less. In many ways, it requires more skill, more attention and more presence than almost any other kind of medicine. At Reserve Care (formerly Hospice of the Western Reserve), comfort care means active, expert care delivered by clinicians trained to manage pain, ease symptoms and support the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families facing serious illness.
Haven Hospice simulations help caregivers understand dementia
03/23/26 at 03:00 AMHaven Hospice simulations help caregivers understand dementia Levy Citizen, Chiefland, FL; by Antoniette Meyer; 3/19/26 A program offered by Haven Hospice is helping caregivers, medical professionals and community members better understand what daily life can be like for someone living with dementia. ... Through Haven’s Dementia Care Program, participants can take part in hands-on simulations designed to replicate some of the sensory and cognitive challenges people with dementia experience. During the exercises, attendees may wear specialized goggles or gloves, listen to music or attempt tasks that simulate symptoms such as vision loss, hearing impairment, reduced motor function and changes in perception. The activities are designed to demonstrate how dementia can affect memory, communication, emotions and everyday functioning.
First renovated rooms completed in Columbus Hospice Center Refresh Capital Campaign, over $635K raised
03/23/26 at 03:00 AMFirst renovated rooms completed in Columbus Hospice Center Refresh Capital Campaign, over $635K raised The Republic; by Hallie Gallinat; 3/21/26 The Hospice Center in Columbus, as part of the ongoing Hospice Refresh Campaign, has completed its first renovated patient room and family room. The campaign, launched to modernize the Hospice Center after more than 20 years of service to the community, has now raised over $635,000 toward its $2 million goal. ... Donors were invited to a private open house on March 12 to celebrate the completion of the first renovated spaces.
Regional pediatric Education and Assistance Collaborative for Hospice nurses (REACH): A tele-educational intervention
03/23/26 at 03:00 AMRegional pediatric Education and Assistance Collaborative for Hospice nurses (REACH): A tele-educational intervention Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing; by Taylor Aglio, Alexa Bobelis, Ashley Autrey, Tracy Hills, Alexandra Superdock, Arshia Madni, Kelly Bien, Nidhi Mali, Erica C Kaye; 3/20/26... To address [the gaps between hospice care for seriously ill children and their families and adult-focused hospice paradigms], a multidisciplinary team comprising physicians, nurses, psychosocial clinicians, community members, and bereaved parents was convened to develop the Regional Pediatric Education and Assistance Collaborative for Hospice Nurses (REACH) initiative. Using a community-based participatory research approach, a stakeholder-driven tele-educational intervention was designed, refined, and implemented as a pilot for hospice nurses across Tennessee. Pilot data showed this hub-and-spoke model to be feasible, acceptable, and impactful, increasing hospice nurses' knowledge and comfort with provision of pediatric care in the community.
Ahead of National Volunteer Month, NPHI calls on Americans to become hospice volunteers and strengthen human connection
03/20/26 at 02:00 AMAhead of National Volunteer Month, NPHI calls on Americans to become hospice volunteers and strengthen human connection National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; Press Release; 3/19/26 As more Americans look for ways to build connection and find purpose in their communities, the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation is encouraging individuals to consider volunteering with their local hospice during National Volunteer Month this April. Across the country, nearly 30,000 volunteers already serve alongside professional care teams within NPHI's network of more than 125 nonprofit providers, bringing comfort, presence, and human connection to patients and families facing serious illness while also experiencing the personal benefits of giving back.
Hospice of Southern Kentucky celebrates revitalization of memorial garden
03/19/26 at 03:00 AMHospice of Southern Kentucky celebrates revitalization of memorial garden ABC 13 - WBKO News, Bowling Green, KY; by Avery Catalano; 3/18/26 Hospice of Southern Kentucky is celebrating the revitalization of the Geri Buchanon Smith Memorial Garden on its Bowling Green campus. The garden honors the late wife of longtime board member Dr. David Smith. The couple shared a deep love of gardening, and hospice leaders said the space is meant to reflect that.
Facing death as a doctor: Knowledge vs nature
03/18/26 at 03:00 AMFacing death as a doctor: Knowledge vs natureMedscape; by Sarah Amandolare; 3/12/26 The decision to enroll her father in hospice care came easily for Janet Abrahm, MD. Abrahm, a palliative care doctor and former oncologist, helped her father — an internist who died of prostate cancer at home — understand the program’s benefits, such as family bereavement services, and that he could be readmitted to the hospital if needed. “Most doctors don’t know that,” said Abrahm, who is also a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston and the author of Comprehensive Guide to Supportive and Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer. “They think it’s a one-way street, I imagine — that you put somebody in hospice and then that’s it. ... The level of engagement physicians have with death in their practice may inform how they want to die — and how they counsel loved ones facing a serious illness. But a new study suggests even as they face end-of-life decisions through the lens of their expertise, physicians can also be swayed by the same financial, familial, and existential burdens afflicting their patients.
The non-professional virtues of the hospice volunteer
03/16/26 at 02:00 AMThe non-professional virtues of the hospice volunteer Journal of Applied Philosophy; by Michael B. Gill; 3/12/26 Volunteers have long played a significant role in hospice care. Much of the care volunteers provide consists of weekly hour-long in-home visits. Home-visiting hospice volunteers are not professionals, nor are they strangers or intimates. Hospice volunteers will not typically face moral dilemmas, nor be called upon to make dramatic decisions. Nonetheless, hospice volunteering can exemplify a neglected area of in-between ethics – a subset of what Brownlee has called the ‘ethics of interacting’ – that can redound to the wellbeing of all concerned. This article explores the in-between ethics of hospice volunteering and the opportunities it affords to cultivate virtues of attention and gratitude.
Sovereign Hospice guides Dallas-Fort Worth families through hospital discharge
03/13/26 at 03:00 AMSovereign Hospice guides Dallas-Fort Worth families through hospital discharge The Malone Telegram, Aubrey, TX; by Baaba Sampson; 3/12/26 Families facing hospital discharge for a loved one with a terminal illness often feel overwhelmed by the sudden shift in care responsibilities. Sovereign Hospice addresses this challenge by providing seamless coordination between hospital teams and home-based hospice services. The organization serves all counties within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, offering same-day admission and round-the-clock support.
Shanti Niketan Hospice Home Campaign reaches $3.5 million goal
03/12/26 at 02:15 AMShanti Niketan Hospice Home Campaign reaches $3.5 million goal WGRK K-Country 105.7, Glasgow, KY; by Josh Mickinney; 3/10/26 The T.J. Community Mission Foundation (TJCMF) announced the successful completion of the $3.5 million capital campaign to build Shanti Niketan Hospice Home during a special ceremony celebrating the facility’s five-year anniversary. The campaign, titled “Love Makes This House a Home,” was launched in 2015 with the goal of creating a residential hospice facility to serve families throughout south central Kentucky. Since opening in 2021, Shanti Niketan Hospice Home has provided care and comfort for more than 275 patients and their families. “Shanti Niketan Hospice Home reflects the very best of compassionate healthcare,” said Neil Thornbury, CEO of T.J. Regional Health.
Harbors Home Health and Hospice expands community education
03/10/26 at 03:00 AMHarbors Home Health and Hospice expands community education The Daily World; by Jerry Knaak; 3/6/26 Harbors Home Health and Hospice was selected as the recipient of more than $19,000 in donations at the March 2025 100+ Harbor Women Who Care giving event. The funds were awarded after Harbors was nominated alongside two other local nonprofits and chosen by the attendees for the organization’s commitment to caring for patients and families throughout the community. Rather than using the funds internally, Harbors leadership saw the award as an opportunity to give back through community education focused on aging and end-of-life planning.
Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango finalizes partnership with NYS Veterans Home in Oxford
03/10/26 at 03:00 AMHospice & Palliative Care of Chenango finalizes partnership with NYS Veterans Home in Oxford The Evening Sun, Oxford, NY; by Rebecca Laibowitz; 3/9/26 Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango and the New York State Veterans Home at Oxford recently finalized a long-awaited partnership which now allows residents of the home and their families to receive hospice care from the nurses and volunteers of the organization. Prior to this partnership the home would have to send away people in seeking hospice care as strict regulations require a contract between a nursing home and hospice care provider in order for that type of care to be administered.
Oncologist perspectives on timely hospice referral: A qualitative study
03/10/26 at 02:00 AMOncologist perspectives on timely hospice referral: A qualitative study American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care; by Andrew Lynch, Andrea Altschuler, Joseph P Cosgrove, Hannah Whitehead, Corey Schwartz, Raymond Liu, Mina Chang; 3/7/26 Background: Late hospice referral rates are on the rise and are associated with negative outcomes at the end of life (EoL). Rates of late hospice referral vary drastically from oncologist to oncologist, and behavioral and psychological factors among individual oncologists have been identified as potential contributors to this variability. ... Conclusions: Numerous factors independent of hospice eligibility were reported to influence hospice referral practices among oncologists. While some factors represent challenging cultural and social barriers to timely hospice referral, other system- and patient-specific barriers offer opportunities for potential interventions.
Pikes Peak Hospice donation drive smashes goal; 150 new blankets collected for veteran patients
03/09/26 at 03:30 AMPikes Peak Hospice donation drive smashes goal; 150 new blankets collected for veteran patients The Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO; by O'Dell Isaac; 3/2/26 Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care reached out the local community with an ambitious request in early January ... [asking] for donations of up to 100 new, handmade lap blankets for its veteran patients by March 2. ... The community has answered the call – and then some. More than 150 red, white and blue blankets have been donated, with more donations still arriving, ... "We've been overwhelmed by this incredible response," said Sonya Bergeron, veteran liaison with Pikes Peak Hospice.
Demystifying the end: Hospice care impact on the Black community
03/06/26 at 03:00 AMDemystifying the end: Hospice care impact on the Black community Word In Black | Houston Defender; by Laura Onyeneho; 3/2/26 ... For African American, Afro-Caribbean and African immigrant families, generational trauma and a lack of trust in the healthcare system often lead to delayed decisions about hospice care. “There’s been a historical gap in access and trust,” said [Monica James, Community Engagement Coordinator for Houston Hospice]. “Our goal is to show up consistently, to listen and to let these communities know they have options and that they’re not alone.” ... “For communities of color, we have to meet people where they are. That means understanding family dynamics, faith and what dignity means to different people,” she said.
[Canada] New report released advancing equity in palliative and end-of-life care
03/06/26 at 02:00 AM[Canada] New report released advancing equity in palliative and end-of-life care ehospice | BC Centre for Palliative Care, British Columbia; by the BCCPC Project Team: Rachel Carter, Eman Hassan, Simon Anderson, Grace Hu; 2/22/26 We’re pleased to share a new publication from the BC Centre for Palliative Care. This report distills key insights from a three-part Knowledge Exchange Series held in Spring 2025 that brought together people with lived experience, community organizations, clinicians, researchers, and system leaders across British Columbia. This Knowledge Exchange Series explored how health system services and community supports can work together to better meet the needs of underserved populations—highlighting both persistent gaps and promising paths forward. The report is supplemented with 12 population-specific chapters. [Read the full report]
UVM Home Health & Hospice volunteers among the longest serving in the nation
03/05/26 at 02:00 AMUVM Home Health & Hospice volunteers among the longest serving in the nation Vermont Business Magazine | The University of Vermont Health Network - Home Health & Hospice; by Tim; 3/3/26 Among the longest‑serving hospice volunteers in the nation, Charlotte Kenney, Jan Watt and Lil Venner have each devoted more than 45 years to UVM Health – Home Health & Hospice because, they say, helping patients and their families make the most of the time they have left of this earth is a privilege, rooted in grace and connection. The notion that hospice work is defined by sorrow, is rejected by all three dedicated volunteers. "What I'm doing is enabling this person to live fully until the very last second," says Kenney. ... Venner adds, "You see the world differently when you're looking through the eyes of somebody who may be seeing this particular thing for the last time." Editor's Note: We celebrate these devoted hospice volunteers at UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice. Together, Charlotte Kenney, Jan Watt, and Lil Venner have given more than 185 years of service—an extraordinary testament to presence, compassion, and steadfast commitment. Who among your volunteers carries a stories of faithful service? What collective years of care live within your own program? Consider gathering and sharing that data—not simply as numbers, but as narratives of impact and catalysts for thanks.
Friends of Hospice starts life longings bucket list program
03/04/26 at 03:00 AMFriends of Hospice starts life longings bucket list program WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY; by Iris St. Meran; 2/26/26 Losing a friend or loved one is never easy. That’s why organizations like Friends of Hospice in Oswego County are important. They provide non-medical support and have a new initiative to help those facing a life limiting diagnosis fulfill bucket list requests. Elena Twiss, the executive director shared more about the Life Longings program. It is designed to support individuals facing a life-limiting diagnosis by fulfilling “bucket list” requests, making comfort improvements, or helping with milestone celebrations. To learn more about life longings and the other resources friends of hospice provides visit FriendsOfHospice.org.
How family caregivers are shaping their own future
03/04/26 at 03:00 AMHow family caregivers are shaping their own future AARP; by Paul Wynn; 2/18/26 Applying hard-learned lessons from caring for others, nearly half of caregivers are planning their own legal, financial and medical futures. Helen Bundy Medsger spent three decades caring for multiple family members, including her parents and sister, an experience that shaped both her advocacy and her determination to plan ahead so her two children don’t inherit the challenges she faced as a caregiver. ...
Volunteers prepare bears to offer comfort and hope to hospice families
03/04/26 at 03:00 AMVolunteers prepare bears to offer comfort and hope to hospice families CBS WKNB News - 27; by Austin Caroline; 2/28/26 Making a difference, one bear at a time. That was the mission Saturday morning at Hanoverton Christian Church in Columbiana County. Volunteers spent the morning creating Burden Bears for hospice families and the Jacob’s Heart nonprofit at Akron Children’s Hospital. These small bears are made to offer comfort, hope and a tangible reminder that no one walks through hard seasons alone. Pamela Lattimer says she holds these sessions as a way for her to continue her mother’s legacy.
Our hospice system subverts the very point of hospice care
03/04/26 at 03:00 AMOur hospice system subverts the very point of hospice care The New York Times; Opinion | Guest Essay by Sandeep Jauhar; 3/2/26 When my siblings and I decided to put our father in hospice care at his home in the spring of 2021, his Alzheimer’s was near end-stage. He could barely get out of bed or dress or feed himself. Hospice care seemed to be the best way for him to end his life with dignity. ... We soon encountered a harsh reality, however. Dying at home isn’t easy, even with hospice care. ... The main problem was funding. In 2024, the average per-patient Medicare payment to hospice agencies was about $200 a day, with an annual cap of $33,500. That outlay would barely pay for a part-time aide, yet it is also needed to cover medications, medical equipment and nurse visits.
James Van Der Beek, Eric Dane, and when celebrity deaths trigger health anxiety
02/27/26 at 03:00 AMJames Van Der Beek, Eric Dane, and when celebrity deaths trigger health anxiety USA Today; by Rachel Hale; 2/23/26 Many TV fans are reeling from the shock of two celebrity deaths back to back. Within days, fans said goodbye to "Dawson's Creek" star James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane, of "Grey's Anatomy.” What's more, both stars died before ever seeing the age of 55 and after battling devastating illnesses. ... Celebrity deaths can feel personal, even if you never met the person. And while grief is different for everyone, experts say collective grief can intensify when a public figure is mourned widely. When a death is tied to a serious illness, there’s also often another layer: heightened health anxiety. Watching a beloved public figure decline slowly can magnify existing worries about one’s own health.