Literature Review

Belief in an afterlife is increasing in the United States: Even among the non-religious The Association of Religion Data Archives (The ARDA); by Ryan Burge; 4/17/25 This post has been unlocked through a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment for the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA). The graphs you see here use data that is publicly available for download and analysis through link(s) provided in the text below. ... I wanted to dig a bit deeper on the variations in those belief metrics today, with a question that I haven’t really probed a whole lot. The General Social Survey, which is available on the Association of Religion Data Archives website, contains a really straightforward question, “Do you believe there is a life after death?” And it has an even simpler set of response options - yes or no. It’s been asked with regularity since 1973, so we have nearly five decades of data on this one specific question. ... Even today, the share of Americans who believe in life after death is 82%. When people ask me, “Is the United States a religious country?” This is the stat that I’m going to trot out.

Death matters: Is there really no place like home when it comes to dying? Sequim Gazette, Sequim, WA; by Jeanette Stehr-Green Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County; 4/16/25 While not everyone has the chance to decide where they will die, most Americans say that given the choice, they would prefer to die at home. For most people, home is familiar and comfortable. It is more private than a room in a hospital or nursing facility, and more likely to allow intimate gatherings with family and friends. In the home, the dying person and their caregivers are more in control, deciding when to have visitors, eat, drink, or take medications. ... Planning, realistic expectations, and adequate support are key to keeping a dying person at home. Consider the following steps: ... Home might not be best ...

VNA Hospice NWI celebrates some of its most dedicated volunteers at Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast NWI.LIFE, Valparaiso, IN; by Philip Bolton; 4/7/25 On the morning of Saturday, April 5, VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast at Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso. Volunteers who assist with VNA’s many services, including hospice and palliative care, the Medical Guardian help button program, the We Honor Veterans program, the Phoenix Center for Grief, and VNA Meals on Wheels of Porter County, were recognized. ... Matthew Naillieux, a VNA Hospice NWI volunteer, has proudly worked with the organization for 20 years. “Everything VNA Hospice NWI does is good for the community,” Naillieux said. ... "Usually, we’re volunteering at different locations at different times, and we aren’t able to get together like this very often." ... During the award presentation segment of the event, volunteers were recognized for milestone achievements. These included awards for achievements like 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service ... [Continue reading ...]Editor's note: Reminder that April is National Volunteer Month; April 20-26, 2025 is National Volunteer Week.

Our newsletter's "Observances" calendar Hospice & Palliative Care Today; by Joy Berger; 4/9/25 We invite you to use our newsletter's "Observances" calendar, with information for numerous annual observances, like National Volunteer Month (April) and Week (April 20-26), National Nurses Month (May) and Week (May 6-12), National Nursing Assistants Week (June 12-18), and much more. To find at anytime, go to our webpage's "Resources" tab; click on "Observances." Do you have edits to suggest? Freely email me.

Most people pursue a toxic type of purpose in life—but if you do this instead, ‘there is no way to fail’ CNBC Make It; by Dr. Joran Grumet, contributor/hospice medical director; 4/4/25 It took me many years and quite a bit of emotional heartache to realize a life-changing fact: When it comes to purpose, bigger is not better. Most of our anxiety stems from what I call “big P” Purpose, which is overly focused on the outcome or destination. ... [Dr. Grumet describes what he calls "big P" Purpose vs. "little P" Purpose.] I’ve found that most people end up pursuing the former, toxic type of purpose. It’s the easiest kind to choose, because it means meeting society’s expectations and following in the footsteps of the herd. The harder decision by far is to do the internal work to discover what really lights you up — and find a way to pursue it in the world. This all takes effort, but it’s worth it. ... Little P purpose embraces an abundance mentality. There is room for everyone — I mean everyone — to pursue that which brings them inner joy and happiness. This pursuit will never rely on whether someone else is succeeding or failing. ... [Continue reading ...]

The evolution of work: How Gen Z is reshaping leadership and workplace culture Forbes; by First Place For Youth - Jayme Catalano; 4/2/25 As Generation Z enters the workforce in growing numbers, they are bringing fresh perspectives and expectations that are reshaping the traditional workplace. This digital-native generation, born between 1997 and 2012, is driving significant changes in management styles, work environments, and organizational values. Their influence is prompting companies to adapt, evolve and innovate, creating a new paradigm for the future of work.

Terri Schiavo's death 20 years ago sparked lingering debate about death and politics USA Today; by Marc Ramirez; 3/31/25 Monday [March 31st marked] 20 years since the death of Terri Schiavo, whose landmark case became the symbol of the "right to die" movement, generated political controversy and sparked public outcry as her husband and family members took their fight over her fate to the courts. Schiavo died on March 31, 2005, after a dragged-out legal and political battle ... The case thrust discussions about end-of-life care into the public consciousness, a topic that continues to provoke heightened emotions among Americans. “It became the most reviewed, debated end-of-life case in history,” said Arthur Caplan, who heads the division of medical ethics at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. [Continue reading ...]

Hospices must ‘evolve’ to better support next generation of caregivers Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 3/31/25 Individuals in the millennial and generation Z (Gen Z) age groups represent a swelling proportion of today’s family caregivers. They face unique challenges when providing support for hospice patients compared to others, recent research has found. ... Understanding the competing, complex priorities of these generations is pivotal for hospices’ ability to deliver quality care, according to Nicole McCann-Davis, senior client advisor and research director at Transcend Strategy Group. [Continue reading ...]

Saying goodbye to Dad MidlandsLife; by Jeff Becraft; 3/27/25 I know my last article talked about my Dad moving on to Higher Ground, but while it is still fresh on my mind, I’m going to delve into the process of saying goodbye.  Perhaps it will resonate with someone who has already been down this path… or maybe someone who will be going down this path. I know that many people have been on a longer road than what I am going to describe. I won’t try to cover everything and there are some very significant things that are left out because of space; I will be simply giving my perspective on the overall experience of the last days. [Continue reading ...]Editor's note: If you have to dive into only one article today, this is the one. If you have experienced the vigil of a loved one's final days, this likely gives voice to your journey: "Each day we thought was going to be Dad’s last. It was certainly a time of changing emotions." If you have not experienced this, read to learn common rhythms and themes, dissonances harmonies, and final release into death. Thank you Jeff Becraft for your meaningful reflection.

The power of data in enhancing hospice care at United Hospice Mid-Hudson News, Hudson Valley, NY; by Mid-Hudson News Staff; 3/23/25 ... United Hospice CEO Cara Pace said data plays a crucial role in tracking patient health status, symptom management, and overall comfort. ... Hospice care must evolve to meet the changing needs of patients and families. By leveraging data, United Hospice can make informed decisions about service expansions, patient care enhancements, and operational improvements. Data-driven insights guide leadership in planning for the future, ensuring that the organization remains responsive to community needs while continuing to provide exemplary care. ... [Hospices] must be attentive to the experiences of both patients and their families. “By systematically collecting feedback through surveys and other data collection methods, United Hospice can assess satisfaction levels, identify areas for improvement, and address concerns proactively,” Pace said. “This continuous engagement fosters trust and strengthens relationships with families and the broader community.” ... [Continue reading ...]

Mt. Hood Hospice to present third Grief Made Visible art exhibit in April Sandy Post, West Linn, OR; by Brit Allen; 3/23/25 Aside from in-home hospice services, Mt. Hood Hospice offers numerous other resources to the community, regardless of income or if they have any other ties to the organization. Among them are grief support groups that utilize art as a tool of healing. As a result of these groups, 16 artists will have the art that they created in these groups on display at AntFarm Café & Bakery, 39140 Proctor Blvd., throughout the month of April, from April 3-30, while the cafe is open. ... “This art show creates a space that normalizes talking about mental health and grief,” said Mt. Hood Hospice Bereavement Services Director Laura Lirette. “In a culture where grief is often experienced alone and behind closed doors, our hope is that this exhibit will invite conversations about grief and supporting grievers.”

10 things hospice doesn’t tell you, shared by a Cleveland Clinic doctor The Healthy; by Patricia Varacallo, DO (author) with Laura Hoeksema, MD, MPH, FAAHPM (medical director for Cleveland Clinic Hospice); 3/19/25 ... Dr. Hoeksema shares key insights about hospice care and reminds patients and families that the hospice team is always available to answer questions and provide support when things feel uncertain.What hospice does not tell you, but you should know:

Leadership with grit, grace, and a bold heartTeleios Collaborative Network; by Lynn Flanagan and Tina Gentry; 3/14/25 Leadership is not for the faint of heart!  It demands adaptability, resilience, and empathy. We all know that when we talk about leadership, we often use metaphors. The metaphor that strikes a chord with both of us is that of “grit, grace, and a bold heart.”  Leading in this way sometimes comes with titles such as “The Velvet Hammer” or “The Big Heavy,” but we digress. Grit, grace, and a bold heart may seem contradictory, but they are all essential elements to create an environment where people and ideas thrive. ... When these three elements - grit, grace, and a bold heart —come together in a leader, they create a powerful combination. It is the resilience to weather storms, the empathy to connect deeply with others, and the passion and courage to drive transformative changes. ...