Literature Review

Snowline rethinks donation policy Mountain Democrat, Placerville, CA; News Release; 6/18/25 ... Operated in support of Snowline’s nonprofit mission, its thrift stores raise crucial funds to provide palliative care, hospice services, bereavement and veteran support to individuals and families throughout our region. Recently, in response to feedback from the community about donation limitations, Snowline opened its doors to accept a broader range of donated items. The goal was simple: to be more accommodating and say “yes” more often to those wanting to give. ... While the outpouring of donations was generous and deeply appreciated, this well-intentioned shift led to a significant rise in items that simply could be resold, things that were broken, torn, incomplete or nonfunctional. As a result, waste removal costs have skyrocketed in the thousands due to an increased number of trash runs and landfill fees. These unexpected expenses threaten Snowline’s ability to direct maximum funds toward the care programs that are at the heart of its mission. “We want to be a resource for our community and also remain good stewards of the donations we receive,” said Director of Thrift Operations Daron Hairabedian. “But we also have a responsibility to ensure the dollars raised through our thrift operations go where they matter most, supporting patients and families in the most vulnerable times of their lives.” To preserve the long-term sustainability of Snowline’s vital programs, including palliative care and grief support services, Snowline Thrift Stores will return to a more selective donation process. 

Yocha Dehe provides $1 million grant to YoloCares for new hospice shelter The Davis Enterprise, Davis, CA; 6/18/25The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is proud to announce a $1 million grant for YoloCares to expand its adult day care program in Davis and operate a new hospice shelter in Sacramento that will address the complex needs of unhoused terminally ill patients. The first of its kind on the West Coast, Joshua’s House was dedicated on Wednesday and will feature six separate homes that will welcome up to 15 people at a time. YoloCares’ commitment to support and serve the rural and Indigenous communities in its six-county service area means that Joshua’s House will prioritize service to unhoused rural and Indigenous community members in need of care. The professionally staffed home will provide shelter, food, and clothing to people from Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, Solano, Sutter, and Colusa Counties to hospice-eligible patients referred by the major health systems. Licensed professionals will provide hospice care to patients staying at Joshua’s House. 

Hospice service to vulnerable people awarded The Chronicle-Journal, Thunderbay, Ontario; by Doug Diaczuk; 6/13/25 An organization that provides palliative care is being recognized for its work at ensuring everyone, including those who may not have a home to call their own, receive the services they need at the end of life. Hospice Northwest [Mount Vernon, WA, USA] is the first recipient of the new Equity in Action Award created earlier this year by Mount Pleasant Group and Hospice Palliative Care Ontario [Canada]. The award is meant to highlight work being done to promote better access to palliative care in communities across the province.

Tricentis’ Adam Rosenbaum discusses key factors on Electronic Health Record modernization ExecutiveBiz - Healthcare IT News; by Miles Jamison; 6/13/25 Modernizing electronic health records is a complex, high-stakes initiative for any healthcare organization, according to Adam Rosenbaum, director of public sector at Tricentis. In a column published Monday on Future Healthcare Today, Rosenbaum likened EHR transformation to a grand symphony, where “technical mastery and flawless coordination” are necessary for its success. ... Rosenbaum stressed the significance of risk management, thorough testing, change management strategies, and proper coordination among teams for an EHR modernization project to succeed. 

New Hampshire woman’s father dies in hospice care [in fire evacuation zone] when California fires broke out CBS News WBZ, Boston, MA / YouTube; 1/15/25, published in our newsletter 1/15/25Just two hours before the fire evacuation--Merle Fetter--Barbara's husband of 64 years died in Royal Oaks Hospice Care, with Barbara holding his hand until the end . … As the fire moved through Altadena towards Monrovia Barbara was forced to leave Merrill's body, unable to be evacuated. ... [Daughter in New Hampshire:]  “I didn't know where my mother was. I didn't know what happened to my father's body.” Barbara's daughter—Joy—thousands thousands of miles away in New Hampshire couldn't fly to Los Angeles until Friday. When she finally landed she received a reassuring call from Royal Oaks her mom was OK and her father's remains taken to the coroner's office. Staff feel like residents here are their family. 

The healthcare customer of the future, with Marcus R. EscobedoTeleios Collaborative Network (TCN); video/podcast by Chris Comeaux with Marcus R. Escobedo; 6/11/25 In this episode of TCNtalks, Marcus Escobedo, Vice President of Communications at the John A. Hartford Foundation, joins Chris Comeaux to discuss the future of healthcare for aging populations. Marcus shares how the Foundation’s Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative transforms care for older adults through the evidence-based 4Ms framework: focusing on what matters to older adults, medication management, cognitive health, and mobility. The conversation dives into the impact of ageism in healthcare and the importance of reshaping language and practices to serve older adults better. 

7 browser extension rules every organization should follow to stay secure PI - Programming Insider; by Mar Berman; 6/9/25 Browser extensions have become essential for workplace productivity. Yet, they pose serious security risks that many organizations ignore. These small programs can access sensitive data, alter web content, and create openings for cyberattacks. ... This article presents seven important rules for organizations to manage risks effectively. Whether you work in IT or lead a team, these steps keep your network safe and easy to use. ...

5 real world lessons from using AI to transform legacy software Forbes - Innovation; by Muamer Cisija; 6/10/25 AI is not the future—it is already shaping our present. According to a recent Forbes survey, AI and machine learning represent the top tech spending area in 2025, capturing 42% of IT budgets. Moreover, an NTT survey conducted by WSJ Intelligence shows that 89% of global CEOs consider AI crucial for future profitability. ... Drawing from real-world use cases I've seen across sectors, here are five critical lessons for applying AI to transform legacy software and unlock growth.

Alive welcomes local healthcare leader as new CEO Alive Hospice; Press Release; 6/4/25 Alive, Middle Tennessee’s only nonprofit provider of hospice, palliative care and end-of-life services, today announced Amir Hamad as the organization’s new president and chief executive officer. He will begin his new role on June 30. A healthcare executive with more than 20 years of experience, Hamad comes to Alive from Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West where he served as Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer overseeing over 1,800 employees and managing operations for one of the state’s top acute care hospitals. Hamad’s hiring comes as the beloved organization is gearing up to celebrate its 50th Anniversary in November. Alive was the first hospice established in America’s heartland and the third in the nation in 1975. 

[Singapore] An interdisciplinary approach to legacy work for a young cancer patient - A case illustrationJournal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care; Deborah Tan, Grace Yong, Vivian Wong, Benjamin Hooi, Eng Koon Ong; 4/25An interdisciplinary approach to care is essential and crucial in the practice of end-of-life and hospice care. However, there is a lack of data on how social workers and art therapists may work together to provide psychosocial-spiritual interventions. This case study illustrates how the home hospice medical social worker and art therapist employed complementary methods to fulfill the wish of a young adult with advanced cancer through legacy work. Similar team approaches in practice may benefit other patients with similar needs.

TCN/HPC Today: Storm clouds on the horizon for reimbursement - Top news stories, May 2025 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner, 6/4/25 What happens when artificial intelligence meets end-of-life care?  How do we reconcile private equity's profit motives with hospice's mission-driven ethos?  These questions took center stage in this month's roundup of hospice news with host Chris Comeaux and guest Cordt Kassner. The May edition of TCNtalks' top news stories reveals a healthcare sector at a fascinating crossroads.  AI has emerged as both a tantalizing promise and a practical challenge for hospice providers.  ... In this episode of TCN Talks, hosts Chris Comeaux and Cord Kassner reflect on Memorial Day and discuss significant news stories from May, including the complexities of thanking veterans for their service, the role of artificial intelligence in hospice care, and the importance of honest conversations about racism in healthcare.Editor's note: This monthly podcast combines quantitative data and qualitative discussion from articles gleaned from the 400+ posts we provide each month. Do you seek to make sense of it all? Tune in and learn. We welcome your feedback via our newsletter's Contact page. 

Provider MiraSol Health launches new Behavioral Health Program Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/3/25 MiraSol Health has launched a new behavioral health program designed to amplify emotional and psychological support for its hospice and palliative care patients. Branded as Rays of Hope Behavioral Health, the program offers individual and group therapy sessions, both in person and via a secure telehealth platform. Through Rays of Hope, MiraSol’s licensed therapists will help address anticipatory grief, caregiver stress, loss and other struggles that patients and families face during a time of chronic, serious or terminal illness.

Groundbreaking ceremony for new hospice house in Derby CBS WCAX-3, Burlington/Derby, VT; by Hailey Morgan; 5/31/25 ... Marion Dehnke lost her husband Clint Stevens to cancer back in 2013. She says during that time, she was his caregiver, and he had to stay in a nursing home in a tiny room, with one other person. She said it made things very disruptive, and she didn’t get to spend the time she wanted with him, and she doesn’t want that for someone else. ... Community leaders, and members with the Newport Church of God invested in a solution called the Living Waters Hospice House. It is a two bedroom home dedicated to those in need in their final days. The project is worth a million dollars, and is funded entirely by donations. ... Construction for the home, started this past week, the groundbreaking ceremony was held on the church lawn Saturday.