Literature Review

Addressing barriers in palliative care for rural and underserved communities American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book (ASCO); by Matthias Weiss, MD, PhD, Susan Sabo-Wagner, MSN, RN, OCN, NEA-BC, Julia Frydman, MD, MS, and C.S. Pramesh, MS, FRCS; 5/21/25 Thirty-two million Americans live in rural counties and have no access to multidisciplinary cancer care, and patients with cancer describe a greater number of unfavorable social determinants of health (SDoH), experience more serious financial hardship as well as greater symptom burden, and are more likely to die of cancer. Delivering effective symptom management may be achieved through adoption of a hub and spoke model, which connects rural community care sites with a cancer center. Modern technologies (electronic medical record and virtual telehealth), advanced practice provider care models, and engagement in symptom management clinical trials can extend more optimal care to connected rural sites. Pragmatic examples of addressing these care barriers include systematic and proactive assessment of SDoH, supported by navigation and social services, and telehealth-enabled palliative care (PC). 

'Dancing With Our Stars' marks 10 years of hospice fundraising in Marquette County My UP News, Marquette, MI; by Schyler Perkins; 5/22/25 Thursday night marked the grand finale of the tenth annual Dancing with Our Stars - Marquette County Style contest. ... "Tonight, people can expect nothing short of epic performances," said event organizer Lindsay Hemmila. The competition, which began in 2012 to raise funds for UP Health & Hospice, has become a cornerstone fundraising event in Marquette County. ... "When we first started off, I remember thinking like, my gosh, if I could raise like $40,000, which is quite huge. And now we're, you know, doubling or in some years tripling that number," Hemmila said. ... One of the most impactful programs funded through the event is the "Make a Memory" program, where hospice staff meet with patients to help fulfill wishes before they pass away. 

Hospice volunteer donates 10,000 gift cards to cancer patients AZ Family - CBS-5, Phoenix, AZ; by Tianna Morimoto; 5/20/25 One Valley man has made a difference in times of need for those who may be losing hope by donating thousands of gift cards, and that’s Something Good. Jeff Lewis volunteers with Hospice of the Valley and was recently recognized for donating 10,000 grocery gift cards to help cancer patients in need. Jeff is a cancer survivor and has made it his mission to help those going through treatments with no family or support. He created a nonprofit called the Froth and Bubble Foundation. Every month, the foundation provides gift cards to more than 100 people in the Valley who are struggling financially. Often, these patients have to decide between paying for food, medicine or doctor bills, and these gift cards can help them with their bills or other necessities to survive. ... “These gift cards help families bridge the gap when they need food and are juggling bills and feeling stressed,” said Hospice of the Valley Executive Director Debbie Shumway. “He is a servant leader who quietly gives back and makes a huge difference, one person at a time.” Thank you, Jeff, for all you do to help others!

Inaugural walk raises awareness for pancreatic cancer Columbus Jewish News, Beachwood, OH; by Becky Raspe; 5/21/25 On April 30, Wexner Heritage Village held its inaugural Zusman Hospice & Pancreatic Cancer Walkathon fundraiser. Held at Bexley’s Schneider Park, the event was held in memory of Rob Cohen, brother of Wexner Heritage Village and Zusman Hospice’s volunteer coordinator Judi Koval. Cohen died three years ago from pancreatic cancer ... under the care of Wexner Heritage Village’s Zusman Hospice “at the end of his days.” Organizing the walk to honor her brother, the event date also would’ve been her brother’s birthday, she said. 

What is at-home hospice care and how it works near NYC Medical Device News Magazine; 5/19/25 

NorthStar Care Community launches 'Life's Big Moments' campaign to initiate nationwide conversation about end-of-life hospice care PR Newswire, Ann Arbor, MI; by NorthStar Care Community; 5/19/25 NorthStar Care Community has launched Life's Big Moments, a campaign that celebrates the beauty of life's journey from the big milestones to the small, everyday moments that leave the deepest impact on our well-being and purpose. The campaign aims to initiate conversation and awareness around end-of-life care while also raising money to benefit the members of NorthStar Care Community. Companies, organizations, and individuals are invited to support these efforts throughout the campaign, focusing on recognizing the needs of our Veterans.

Living with grief caused by your child’s death Bonner County Daily Bee, Sandpoint, ID; by Kathy Hubbard; 5/14/25 “The challenge for many people is to speak about their feelings after the death of a child,” Tami Feyen, RN, manager of Bonner Community Hospice said. “If you haven’t gone through it, you can’t imagine what it’s like.” We were talking about the “tree” with the heart-shaped “leaves” that “grows” in the Children’s Healing Garden. This memorial, designed by artist Betty Gardner was installed in 2019 with the idea that people who had lost a child would have a comforting place to come to remember their loved one(s).

Martinsburg baseball team hosts Hospice Night at the Ballpark The Journal, Martinsburg, WV; by Staff; 5/12/25 The Martinsburg High School baseball team welcomed everyone to the annual Hospice Night at the Ballpark on May 7, when the Bulldogs took on the Spring Mills Cardinals. Each team and those in attendance were given cards provided by Panhandle Printing and Design displaying, “Hospice Can Be Your Shining Light.” Hospice Night originated back in 2017, when coach Larry and Anita Cooper wanted to honor their parents (Rev. Mason and Alma Cooper and Walter and Vivian Ridenour) in a way that brought awareness to others about Hospice. In 2018, they purchased the teal jerseys and hats in the Hospice teal color to compliment Martinsburg’s orange and black school colors.

Listen to what your mother tells you, especially near the end News+ Membership; by Jerry Davich; 5/7/25If your mother is no longer alive, what were her last words to you? My mom passed away two years ago and I’ve been asking myself this question since her last breath, which took place in my presence. I had just placed a yellow tulip next to her pillow on a bed inside her hospice room. It was an early Mother’s Day gift, continuing a tradition I started as a child with a stolen tulip from a neighbor’s yard. I knew my mother would not be around a month later for her special holiday. In fact, she wouldn’t be around just a minute later. While pondering that stolen moment, I looked over to my mom and noticed her left index finger moving. It was just a twitch, but until that time she had made no movements since she was admitted into a local hospice near my home. ...... Though I can’t recall my mom’s final words, I deeply feel her lasting legacy of love for my family. We continue to talk about her every day. We think of her every moment. We share photos and memories of her on a family group text thread. Some make us laugh. Some make us cry. This is the beauty and the heartbreak of losing a mother or a father. My mom may be gone, but her gentle voice can be heard in my head any time I want or need it. ...

Tri-Cities Chaplaincy announces $3.5 million renovation of Kennewick Hospice House Apple Valley News Now, Kennewick, WA; by Dan Hanson; 5/6/25A place that has provided comfort and peace to terminally ill patients and their families for nearly three decades is getting a significant upgrade. Tri-Cities Chaplaincy has announced a $3.5 million renovation project for Hospice House in Kennewick, marking the first major renovation to the facility since it opened in 1996. The comprehensive renovation aims to modernize the region's only inpatient hospice facility while enhancing patient, family, and staff spaces. Construction is expected to last between four and six months. 

Safe Harbor Estate Law launches “Dignity Drive” to support Minnesota hospice patients during Elder Law Month The Luverne Journal, PR Underground; 5/1/25 In recognition of May as Elder Law Month, Safe Harbor Estate Law is proud to announce the launch of the Safe Harbor Dignity Drive, a community-wide campaign to collect clean, comfortable clothing and comfort items for hospice patients facing end-of-life care with limited resources. Inspired by conversations with their partners at St. Croix Hospice, Safe Harbor learned that many patients spend their final days without appropriate clothing—often due to significant weight loss, mobility challenges, or a lack of support. Soft, well-fitting clothing can provide warmth, dignity, and peace during an incredibly sacred time. “We believe everyone deserves to feel respected and cared for—especially in their final days,” said Margaret Barrett, founder of Safe Harbor Estate Law. “The Dignity Drive is our way of helping ensure no one spends those moments without the basic comfort of clean, cozy clothing.”

Interim HealthCare expands Alzheimer’s offerings through new partnership Home Health Care News; by Audrie Martin; 4/30/25 Interim HealthCare has expanded its Alzheimer’s care program through a new partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. The partnership, announced on Wednesday, will enable Interim to bolster its existing Alzheimer’s offerings through additional educational programs and opportunities to participate in Alzheimer’s Association events.

Longmont women celebrate milestone 100th birthdays with community and caregivers Longmont Leader, Longmont, CO; by Tricia Stortz; 4/28/25 Two Longmont women are marking a rare milestone this week as they each celebrate their 100th birthdays surrounded by caregivers, family, and friends who have helped shape their life journeys.Virginia, a palliative care patient at The Peaks Care Center, turned 100 on April 25. Dorothea VanLoo, a hospice patient at McIntosh Skilled Nursing Facility, celebrates her centennial today on April 28. Both women are under the care of TRU Community Care, Colorado’s first hospice organization, which today serves more than 1,300 patients and participants across a range of programs. Their milestone birthdays have inspired a community effort to honor lives richly lived.