Literature Review

Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz in hospice care. Here’s the latestPennLive Patriot News; by Matt Connolly; 2/25/26 Hall of fame college football coach Lou Holtz entered hospice care last month and there was speculation at the time that he could have days, if not hours, left to live. However, nearly a month later there has been no significant update on his condition, which is obviously good news after someone enters hospice care. ... Holtz, 89, is best known for his run as head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 1986 through 1996. That included a 12-0 season and national championship in 1988. 

Co-designing a framework to communicate patient-centred outcomes in palliative care: involving patients and the public to reframe understanding Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes; by Mevhibe B Hocaoglu, Adejoke Oluyase, Deb Smith, Rashmi Kumar, Sarah Perman, Matthew Maddocks, Sian Best, Chloe Nast, Sabrina Bajwah, Katherine E Sleeman, Irene J Higginson; 2/21/26 online ahead of print Conclusions: This study found that communication of patient-centred outcomes and Patient-Reported outcome (PRO) evidence can be strengthened through meaningful patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE). This approach helps to reframe public understanding of palliative care, highlighting its broader relevance beyond end-of-life settings. While developed in the context of palliative care, the framework offers transferable strategies for communicating complex outcomes in other often misunderstood or stigmatised areas, such as mental health and dementia care.

A multidimensional narrative review of disparities in hospice care use American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Komal Patel Murali, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, Gwenneth Wang, BS, Daniella Torres, BA, Laura Tycon Moreines, MSN, RN, Abraham A. Brody, PhD, RN, FAAN, Karen Bullock, PhD, LCSW, and Leah V. Estrada, PhD, RN; 2/19/26  ... Findings: Guided by the Social Ecological Model, the objectives of this narrative review are to (a) discuss disparities in hospice care use, (b) explore multidimensional levels and factors contributing to such disparities, and (c) outline implications and imperatives for improving access to and use of hospice care. ... System-level solutions include integrating hospice referrals into routine care workflows, improving hospice-related policies, strengthening partnerships with community organizations, and transitional care research. Clinicians are uniquely positioned to identify care preferences, advocate for timely referrals and support the hospice transition, and build trust with patients and families at the end of life.

Cindy Mensik on hospice care: When to shift focus? Investors Hangout; by Lucas Young; 2/17/26 Families in Texas City, TX, are facing a critical decision as loved ones enter the later stages of life. A recent article featuring insights from hospice care expert Cindy Mensik outlines when it’s time to pivot from aggressive treatment methods to hospice care. The reality is stark: this shift isn’t about surrendering; it’s about prioritizing comfort and quality of life during challenging times.

‘It’s a collaborative effort’: Northern Light Medical Transport paramedics providing hospice supportWABI-5, Bangor, ME; by Alyssa Thurlow; 2/19/26 ... Paramedics can help patients across Maine with a variety of needs, but some are embracing a slower-paced role, focused on assisting those who are at the end of life. “Patients have access to care 24/7, and part of that coverage for after-hours is now coming through the community paramedicine program,” said hospice educator Allie Rohrer, RN. ... “It’s not with lights and sirens. It’s very low key. It’s driving there in a car, and then it’s talking through the issues,” said paramedic Ed Moreshead. ... Northern Light’s community paramedics are contracted with Northern Light Home Care & Hospice. Families in need of assistance call the triage number, and a hospice nurse and on-call physician can respond if needed.

Little houses of support for hospice care popping up NOLA.com, Slidell/New Orleans, LA; by Suzie Hunt; 2/17/26 A new public arts project in starting in Slidell will soon see a plethora of festive-themed tiny houses spread throughout the city and surrounding area, all to support end of life care for patients in St. Tammany parish. The Hospice Hope House Project is taking off through the efforts of local businesswoman and artist Connie Born and a team of volunteers. Proceeds will benefit the work done at the Hospice House.

[England] Almost one in three people in England die without the basic care they need Medical Xpress; by King's College London, edited by Lisa Lock; 2/16/26 About 170,000 people in England every year spend their final days in pain, distress or without vital support that should be available to everyone at the end of life. These are the findings of the first major study in more than a decade to estimate unmet palliative care needs among people at the end of life. The paper was led by researchers at King's College London and Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, with contributions from the University of Edinburgh and was published in the Journal of Health Services Research & Policy.

'My wedding dress funded care for dying children' BBC News, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom; by Grace Wood; 2/14/26 As any bride-to-be knows, wedding dresses can come at a terrifying cost, with the average price sitting at around £1,500. But at one specialist charity shop in West Yorkshire brides can not only pick up a dress at a fraction of the cost, but also give something back. Situated on the top floor of the Forget Me Not Children's Hospice store in Huddersfield, Holmfirth Bridal Suite is not your normal charity shop. Instead of the usual array of second-hand clothes the rails are lined with hundreds of pre-loved or donated wedding dresses. ... "Your average wedding dress is thousands of [dollars] and you wear it for one day, and then it goes in a box, and thankfully people are donating them here to be able to sell on and make more money for the hospice" ...

Hospice of Wichita Falls: Photos capture community supporting patients by donating blood Times Record News; by Naomi Skinner; 2/12/26 ... Donable Cares partnered with Hospice of Wichita Falls to host a community blood drive on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. A portion of the donations will go to support cancer patients. ...

Hospice fundraiser exceeds expectations The Hawk Eye, Keokuk, IA; by John Gaines; 2/13/26 The SCC Men’s Basketball saw a large crowd in support of the Pack the Gym in Pink fundraiser for the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice Monday night at Loren Walker Arena. The team had a big night with a 100-97 overtime win against Illinois Central College and the fundraiser also saw big numbers. The event raised $11,600. “That’s going to be a banner year for us,” said Trina Tucker Hospice volunteer coordinator. ...  There were 84 silent auction baskets, [along with] raffles, colorful pink swag, and people gave a free will donation to attend the game to add to the total money raised.

Spread love: A community art project giving back to hospice MV Times, Martha's Vineyard, MA; by The Martha's Vineyard Times; 2/11/26 Local artist M-C Lamarre has launched Spread Love, a participatory community art project benefiting Hospice & Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard (HPCMV). Inspired by Valentine’s Day and collective grief, Lamarre invited Island community members to decorate baseball-card-sized blanks with drawings and messages of love. The completed cards are sold through art-vending machines placed around the Island, with all proceeds donated to HPCMV.

Community supports Hospice East despite winter weather The Winchester Sun, Winchester, KY;  by John Chaney; 2/8/26 Despite a fresh layer of snow from the night before, a steady stream of supporters filled the Winchester Elks Lodge #2816 on Saturday, February 7, 2026, for its monthly charity breakfast fundraiser benefiting Hospice East. ... The Elks Lodge hosts various buffet breakfasts on the first Saturday of each month from September through March, with all proceeds going to a selected local charity. ...  “Hospice does so much good for grieving families and it’s a great organization to give back to,” Johnson said of this month’s recipient. ... Approximately 15 volunteers helped prepare and serve the meal, working toward the lodge’s typical goal of raising about $3,500 per event.Editor's Note: These kinds of community fundraisers raise more than money. They raise memories. Sharing a meal together evokes meaningful around the tables, among those preparing and serving food, and instill a sense of both receiving and giving. While dollar amounts are smaller than large galas, "meaning" amounts are immeasurable.

Kids’ Grief and Healing Camp provides space for kids experiencing loss WVIR-29 News; Charlottesville, WV; by Kyndall Hanson; 2/7/26 Hospice of the Piedmont hosted its Kids’ Grief and Healing Camp on Saturday, February 7, giving children a space to share feelings and memories about their loved ones while connecting with others experiencing similar loss. “I’m not alone in this,” said Ella Matucci, an 11-year-old attending the camp. “Everyone is gonna lose someone in their life. Sometimes, I guess, it just happens earlier to some people, but we all have to go through it.” The free day camp works to provide children with a sense of togetherness and support during grief, offering a place for kids to come together, be kids, and express themselves in a safe space.