Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Hospice Provider News | Community Outreach.”
Central Coast VNA & Hospice expands senior care services to meet growing in-home demand
01/12/26 at 03:00 AMCentral Coast VNA & Hospice expands senior care services to meet growing in-home demand EIN Presswire, Montery, CA; by Core6 Marketing; 1/8/26 Central Coast VNA & Hospice is responding to rising community demand for in-home senior care by strengthening its continuum of services across Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and South Santa Clara Counties. With a 75-year history serving California’s Central Coast, the organization now offers a range of in-home medical and supportive services, including:
‘A hug from the community’: Pikes Peak Hospice seeks red, white and blue blankets for veteran patients
01/09/26 at 03:00 AM‘A hug from the community’: Pikes Peak Hospice seeks red, white and blue blankets for veteran patients The Colorado Springs Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO; by O'Dell Isaac; 1/7/25 Last year, as part of an ongoing effort to honor local military veterans, Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care performed more than 100 “bedside salutes” and pinning ceremonies for veteran patients. The ceremonies include the gift of a handmade red, white and blue blanket, sewn or crocheted by a volunteer. ... Each year, Pikes Peak Hospice provides care to more than 2,200 patients and their families in the region, nearly 25% of whom are former service members, according to veteran liaison Sonya Bergeron.Editor's Note: This is a beautiful example of community gratitude in action. These handmade red, white, and blue blankets offer comfort, honor service, and often remain with families long after a veteran has died. What percentage of your hospice’s patients are veterans, and how do you honor them?
“Can We Talk?” A community-based training to improve serious illness communication
01/09/26 at 03:00 AM“Can We Talk?” A community-based training to improve serious illness communication Home Healthcare Now; by Ashley Kaminski Petkis, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC and Eric Hackenson, DPT; Jan/Feb 2026 Serious illness conversations (SICs) are often delayed or avoided in community-based healthcare due to clinician discomfort and lack of training. Given that many patients wish to die at home, yet often do not, there is a need for structured communication training in home care and hospice settings to ensure the care we provide aligns with patient and family preferences. ... By embedding SIC training within a community-based organization, this work demonstrated how modest interventions can catalyze a change in practice, reinforcing the idea that SICs are a standard of quality care rather than an optional enhancement.
Sue Ryder urges people to donate unwanted Christmas gifts to support hospice care
01/08/26 at 03:00 AMSue Ryder urges people to donate unwanted Christmas gifts to support hospice care RDG.Today, United Kingdom; by Staff Writer; 1/5/26 The charity Sue Ryder is encouraging people to donate unwanted Christmas presents to its local shops to help raise funds for palliative care and bereavement support. The national charity, which supports people facing terminal illness and grief, said items such as clothing, unused gadgets and home accessories could be given a second life by being donated rather than left unused at home. ... Sue Ryder has almost 400 shops across the UK, with money raised helping to fund palliative and end-of-life care in hospices and in people’s homes, as well as free bereavement support services.
Big Bend Hospice expands its mission and services across the Florida Panhandle
01/07/26 at 02:00 AMBig Bend Hospice expands its mission and services across the Florida Panhandle Big Bend Hospice, Tallahassee, FL; by Cristal E. Baer; 1/6/26 ... Beginning in January 2026, hospice services will expand into Jackson, Calhoun and Gulf Counties, marking the first phase of a thoughtful, long-term effort to ensure individuals and families throughout the region have access to the care and support they need. ... This growth represents the first step in a broader, long-term commitment to the Florida Panhandle. While the immediate focus is on delivering exceptional hospice care, the expansion also creates opportunities for future service growth that will further strengthen support for individuals and families throughout the region.
Ready or not: Rapp at Home program is changing aging’s last chapter
01/06/26 at 03:00 AMReady or not: Rapp at Home program is changing aging’s last chapter Rappahannock News, Washington, VA; by Daphne Hutchinson; 1/4/26 Huntly resident Gwen Bates is good at getting people together. So when Rapp at Home (RaH), the county’s “senior village,” learned of a new program designed to help older adults navigate and plan for later life, Bates volunteered to organize the multi-faceted effort in Rappahannock. “She took the ball and ran with it,” RaH president Joyce Wenger says. Called Ready or Not (RON), the program was developed by Queen Anne’s at Home (QAH), a senior village located in Queen Anne’s County, Md. on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.
Hospice reaffirms commitment to care amid new state law
01/02/26 at 03:00 AMHospice reaffirms commitment to care amid new state lawThe Post-Journal, Jamestown, NY; Press Release; 12/31/25 As New York state moves toward the implementation of Medical Aid in Dying legislation, Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care (CHPC) is reaffirming its unwavering commitment to supporting individuals and families facing terminal illness with dignity, respect, and compassion. In a recently issued press release, CHPC notes that “... While end-of-life options in New York State are evolving, our mission remains the same: to provide expert care, comfort, and emotional support to those confronting serious illness and loss.” Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care does not participate in the provision or administration of Medical Aid in Dying medications. ... As the Medical Aid in Dying law moves forward, CHPC recognizes the importance of clear, compassionate guidance. It has developed educational materials to help patients and families understand the new law and how it intersects with hospice care. For those who choose to explore Medical Aid in Dying, we will continue to offer support, information, and, where appropriate under law and policy, connections to outside providers.
Tiny tree reappears along Lititz Pike to brighten the holiday season
12/30/25 at 03:00 AMTiny tree reappears along Lititz Pike to brighten the holiday season Lancaster Online, Lancaster, PA; by Claudia Esbenshade; 12/23/25 ... Anderson, a social Worker with Hospice & Community Care, took the initiative that year to give "Charlie," which is what Anderson called her tree, some love and adorned it with a little blue blanket and one red ornament. She named the tree in honor of the beloved tree from "A Charlie Brown Christmas." ... "Charlie had become more than a weed in a crack. He was a symbol. A pause. A quiet reminder that resilience exists even when conditions are ugly, and hope can show up where you least expect it," she wrote in her post. "My work centers around people who are often really fragile and facing limited life expectancy," Anderson said in an email. "So sometimes the smallest, most overlooked things end up meaning the most, especially to people who are tired, grieving, or just trying to get through the day. That little tree’s resilience has always been really special to me."
Carolina Caring Foundation receives $30,000 grant
12/29/25 at 03:20 AMCarolina Caring Foundation receives $30,000 grant to help families in Burke CountyThe Paper, Morganton, NC; by The Paper Staff; 12/20/25 Burke County families caring for children with serious illnesses will see added support through a $30,000 grant awarded to Carolina Caring Foundation for Cardinal Kids, the region’s pediatric palliative and hospice care program. Carolina Caring Foundation announced it received the grant from Speedway Children’s Charities to help fund services provided through Cardinal Kids. The foundation said this is the third consecutive year Speedway Children’s Charities has selected Carolina Caring Foundation as a grant recipient.
Statewide and regional variation in hospice and palliative care protocols in emergency medical services in the United States
12/27/25 at 03:05 AMJan. 27, 2025, International Holocaust Remembrance Day [link 1]--paired with--A little-known story about a Jewish refugee and Cicely Saunders [link 2]
12/24/25 at 01:40 AMRemembering the Holocaust with little-known story about a Jewish refugee and Cicely Saunders: Honoring the International Holocaust Remembrance Day - 80th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz
Elderly people look at their younger reflections in this beautiful photo series by Tom Hussey
12/24/25 at 01:00 AMElderly people look at their younger reflections in this beautiful photo series by Tom Hussey Digital Synopsis; photos by Tom Hussey; retrieved from the internet 7/10/25 'Reflections of the Past' is an award-winning photo series by commercial advertising photographer Tom Hussey. The photographs show an elderly person looking pensively at the reflection of his/her younger self in the mirror. Hussey was inspired by a World War II veteran who said "I can't believe I'm going to be 80. I feel like I just came back from the war. I look in the mirror and see this old guy." It's beautiful, touching ... Editor's Note: Click here to view this touching series. The phrases "every photo tells a story" and "a picture is worth a thousand words" come to life. This award-winning campaign was used in a marketing campaign by Novartis for a treatment of Alzheimer's disease. [Our newsletter has no disclosures to report.] These photos are under strict copyright laws with strict enforcement. They can be shared easily via social media links at the top of its webpage.
My Dad was a professional Santa for 49 years — until tragedy struck. Then a group of strangers gave us a miracle.
12/24/25 at 12:45 AMMy Dad was a professional Santa for 49 years — until tragedy struck. Then a group of strangers gave us a miracle. HuffPost | Personal; by Melissa Melnick; 12/7/25 "When they told us their idea, I felt something crack open in me." I grew up knowing that Christmas magic wasn’t something you waited for — it was something you made. And I learned that from my dad. Most people think they know about Santa, but my sister and I were lucky enough to grow up with him. My father, Ray, started playing Santa when he was just 21 years old. ... Knowing my dad, I suspected he’d never actually stop. Then, just a few months later, our world got turned upside down. ... Within 24 hours of the story airing on TV, more than 120,000 people had viewed the clip online. Photos poured in. Old letters. Messages from parents whose children had visited my dad over the years. Stories about how Santa Ray had given their kids confidence, comfort, or joy. ... Editor's Note: Continue reading this beautiful, inspiring story.
Redmond family honors late husband with holiday trees for cancer patients
12/23/25 at 03:30 AMRedmond family honors late husband with holiday trees for cancer patients NBC KING-5, Redmond, WA; by Anne Erickson; 12/15/25 Every December, Linda Pankow's Redmond home fills with volunteers, friends and family for a 25-year tradition born from loss. "I like the mayhem," Pankow said with a smile. The group decorates more than 100 small holiday trees destined for cancer and hospice patients at Evergreen Health. "It's hard around holidays when you've lost somebody," Pankow said. Her husband, Rick, a nursery owner, died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 43. The tree-decorating project became a way to honor his memory and his love of trees. "Doing this and knowing my husband loved trees because he was a nursery person, it just kind of brings me joy," Pankow said. "It's a good memory of him and a tribute to him." The tradition has grown to include multiple generations. This year, Rick's two-month-old great-nephew Milar joined the effort.
UVM hospice team holds “Honk and Wave” protest over contract negotiations
12/23/25 at 03:00 AMUVM hospice team holds “Honk and Wave” protest over contract negotiations NBC 5, Burlington, VT; by Yunier Martinez; 12/21/25 Nurses and supporters held a “Honk and Wave” protest Saturday along Shelburne Road to build community support for the hospice union’s ongoing contract negotiations. "We want the community to know the value of the work we do," says nurse practitioner Lindsay Gerdeman. ... A spokesperson for the hospital released the following statement: "... We value our hospice team and understand that negotiating for a first contract will take time. ..." Negotiations are set to resume in January.
End-of-life care needs cultural humility and social justice
12/22/25 at 02:00 AMEnd-of-life care needs cultural humility and social justice BMJ; by Jamilla Akhter Hussain, Rekha Vijayshankar, and Mary Hodgson; 12/18/25 Death, dying, and grief are not medical events—they are profoundly social, relational, and shaped by the histories people carry into their final days. ... [A] key question is: how can end-of-life care services become more trustworthy? Too often, institutions respond with so-called cultural competency initiatives. ... What is needed is cultural humility and social justice. Cultural humility involves ongoing self-reflection and acknowledgement of bias at individual, organisational, and system levels. Palliative care must prioritise cultural humility and social justice: trust grows not through outreach alone but through shared creation of knowledge, meaning, and care—and at the end of life ...
Small but mighty: 5 lessons from smaller teams delivering high-quality palliative care
12/18/25 at 02:00 AMSmall but mighty: 5 lessons from smaller teams delivering high-quality palliative care CAPC; by Megan Hesketh; 12/16/25 ... High-quality palliative care isn’t defined by program size or budget—it’s defined by consistency, collaboration, and a shared commitment to patients and families. Across the country, smaller palliative care programs are demonstrating what’s possible when teams focus on training, teamwork, and outcomes that matter. In summer 2025, CAPC spoke with twenty smaller organizations—community hospitals, critical access hospitals, independent hospices, and small practice groups serving fewer than 150 beds—to understand how they sustain their commitment to high-quality palliative care. Their experiences highlight what makes these programs effective: clear structures, intentional learning, and a deep sense of accountability to their communities.
Center for Hospice Care's lifePACT program promotes inclusive opportunity for managing emotions and palliative care in the community
12/17/25 at 03:00 AMCenter for Hospice Care's lifePACT program promotes inclusive opportunity for managing emotions and palliative care in the community GreatNewsLife.com, Valparaiso, IN; by Garrett Spoor; 12/16/25 ... [The] lifePACT program is a unique opportunity open those who aren’t patients at Center for Hospice Care. Laura Baker, lifePACT coordinator and mental health counselor, encourages community members who are dealing with overwhelming emotions to enroll. “lifePACT is a series of psychoeducational courses that teach coping skills in the face of overwhelming emotions – such as anxiety and depression,” Baker said. “In the course of a normal life, we all struggle, even suffer, with heavy and difficult emotions. The lifePACT courses teach skills and frameworks to manage these difficulties. Instead of reacting to each difficulty, we teach how to choose responses that most align with the value system of each individual.”
[Europe] Muslims often don’t trust palliative care. A new charity aims to change that
12/17/25 at 03:00 AM[Europe] Muslims often don’t trust palliative care. A new charity aims to change that Hyphen; by Weronika Stryzyzynska; 12/15/25 Al-Amal, founded by a doctor and a chaplain, is informed by the Muslim view of a good death — something they say is lacking in mainstream care. A new charity to support Muslims navigating palliative care is preparing to launch after Ramadan. As well as providing an emotional support telephone line, Al-Amal will also offer practical advice on accessing culturally and religiously appropriate care. The Muslim view of what a good death looks like is informed by values beyond the medical. … This can affect the way Muslim patients include their families in the decision-making process or their approach to pain management.
St. Charles Prineville Hospice Auction raises more than $180k
12/17/25 at 02:00 AMSt. Charles Prineville Hospice Auction raises more than $180kCascade Business News (CBN), Central Oregon; by CBN; 12/16/25 St. Charles Foundation’s annual Prineville Hospice Auction was a big success, raising more than $180,000 to support hospice programs. The festive event was held at the Crook County Fairgrounds Indoor Area last week with a fun live auction of handmade quilts and Christmas trees as well as dinner, raffle and more.
Chapters Health System announces national rebranding of grief support camps for children
12/16/25 at 03:00 AMChapters Health System announces national rebranding of grief support camps for children PR Newswire, Temple Terrace, FL; by Chapters Health System; 12/12/25 Chapters Health System, the nation's leading chronic illness innovator and largest nonprofit hospice provider, proudly announced a unified grief support camp name, Camp Brave Heart, and logo for programs across the country starting in 2026. Each camp program will remain tailored to the needs of the local community and the longstanding tradition of providing a supportive place for children to process and share.
The balancing act: How caregivers navigate the stress of work, family, and caring for a loved one
12/15/25 at 03:00 AMThe balancing act: How caregivers navigate the stress of work, family, and caring for a loved one Delaware LIVE; by Staff Writer; 12/12/25With two-thirds of U.S. caregivers struggling to manage both employment and home duties, experts say planning, boundaries, and support can prevent burnout. ... Insights from national research and guidance from Delaware Hospice, Oasis Senior Care (a leading consultant for families), and Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore underscore a central message: you don’t have to do this alone, and thriving — not just surviving — is possible. ...
Award-winning documentary chronicles hospice nurse’s final 39 days
12/12/25 at 03:00 AMAward-winning documentary chronicles hospice nurse’s final 39 days Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) and TGBeyond, Washington, DC; Press Release; 12/1/25Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) and TGBeyond today announced the release of A Butterfly Has Been Released, an award-winning short documentary, alongside a new professional continuing education program, From Caregiver to Patient: Hospice Nurse Allyson’s Final 39 Days. Pre-purchase is available now, with formal release in January 2026. The 36-minute film follows Allyson, a hospice nurse with more than 20 years of experience guiding patients and families through death and grief, as she navigates her own final 39 days after a life-limiting diagnosis. Through candid kitchen-table conversations, a 150-person living funeral, and a natural green burial, Allyson demonstrates what she spent decades teaching others: live with purpose, presence, and connection until the very last day.Editor's Note: Is the concept of a "living funeral" new to you? I've seen this moving film several times, with a group discussion among healthcare professionals led by its producers Jason Zamer and Barry Koch. Click here for its 2-minute trailer.
Solvay gets nearly 45K from Super One’s register round-up
12/12/25 at 03:00 AMSolvay gets nearly 45K from Super One’s register round-up Fox 21 Local News, Duluth, MN; by Jadie Jones; 12/10/25 Super One raised nearly 45 thousand dollars for Solvay Hospice House. These funds were raised during their recent register round up campaign where customers could choose to round up their change or donate more when checking out. This campaign was at 19 regional stores. Solvay has been a register roundup participant for 18 years now, raising more than 373 thousand in total.