Literature Review
All posts tagged with “General News | Children.”
Dad diary: A smashed snake and our first real talk about death
04/01/25 at 03:00 AMDad diary: A smashed snake and our first real talk about death Indy Parenting; by Tyler Hayden; 3/28/25 The other day, just after the rain, my three-year-old and I were making our regular walk up the street to get the mail when he suddenly stopped and looked at the ground. There on the asphalt was a young gopher snake, crushed and bloody, its insides on the outside. “What’s that?” he asked. Here we go, I thought. Our first real conversation about death. I’d always imagined ― or hoped ― his first encounter with the other side of life would be a belly-up goldfish or a bird lying still in grass. Or even our 16-year-old cat. Something like that. But here it was, in an especially gory and disorienting form, staring us in the face. ... NPR recently interviewed a hospice social worker named Rosemarie Truglio, who specializes in talking with children about the death. She compared the gradual process of helping them understand it to how a kid eats an apple, ... [Continue reading ...]
Foster Funeral Home helps Friends of Hospice provide children’ grief coping books to Hannibal, Mexico libraries
03/31/25 at 03:15 AMFoster Funeral Home helps Friends of Hospice provide children’ grief coping books to Hannibal, Mexico libraries Oswego County Today, Fulton, NY; 3/28/25 Foster Funeral Home has partnered with the Friends of Hospice in Oswego County (FOHOC) , to expand their program of offering books at local libraries to help children coping with grief and loss, said Klara Stellingwerf, manager, Foster Funeral Home. FOHOC launched the program in January by donating these books to the Oswego, Fulton and Pulaski public libraries, said Elena Twiss, FOHOC executive director. “Foster Funeral Home has helped us expand this program by donating these books to Hannibal public library and FOHOC donated them to the Mexico public library. ... There are book options for ages zero to eighteen-plus, and one of the books is even for adults to help assist parents in talking to their children about loss.”
Honoring a young girl’s love of nature on her final day
03/31/25 at 03:00 AMHonoring a young girl’s love of nature on her final dayMayo Clinic News Network; by Mayo Clinic Staff; 3/27/25 On a Saturday evening in September of 2024, Mae Helgeson arrived at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, her small body reeling from the trauma of a life-threatening accident. Although she was intubated and sedated, it didn't take long for the care team to learn what made this little girl special. ... "I often ask parents to tell me about their child. Is there anything you think is important or that I should know about your family?" says Paige Dighton, one of the Child Life specialists who partnered with Mae's family. "This allows them to share the special things — those unique qualities that make them a family. You learn more than just what's in their chart." ... It was only a couple of days later that Mae's family was faced with the devastating decision they'd hoped to avoid. ... The question shifted from "Can we save her?" to "How do we say goodbye?" Following their lead, the team began focusing on end-of-life care. "Dr. Schiltz gave us the space to think and process our emotions — it didn't feel rushed," says Matt.
Children as living solid organ donors: Ethical discussion and model hospital policy statement
03/29/25 at 03:15 AMChildren as living solid organ donors: Ethical discussion and model hospital policy statementThe Journal of Clinical Ethics; Gyan C. Moorthy, Aidan P. Crowley, and Sandra Amaral' Spring 2025In recent years, more attention has been paid to living donation as a means to reduce the suffering of individuals with end-stage kidney or liver disease. Implicated ethical issues include medical risk and risk of coercion, counterbalanced by improved medical outcomes and the benefits of saving a life. Living donation becomes particularly ethically complicated with the prospect of child donation, given the child’s developing autonomy and uniquely dependent status. We outline four broad ethical considerations pertinent to living child organ donation: (1) beneficence, (2) respect for the family as a moral unit, (3) respect for the child as a person, and (4) justice. We conclude that it can be ethical for a healthy child to donate a kidney or liver lobe to a close relative who has exhausted other options provided that certain protections are put into place.
How our partnership with LovEvolve fosters the message of compassionate care
03/21/25 at 03:00 AMHow our partnership with LovEvolve fosters the message of compassionate care Carolina Caring, Newton, NC; 3/20/25 ... Founded and designed by professional artist Sunny Goode, LovEvolve is a mission-driven organization producing scarves, blankets, and swaddles which hold creative attention to color theory and the message of love. ... LovEvolve has distributed their products across thirteen hospitals nationwide, allowing over 61,000 newborns to be wrapped in love. ... Cardinal Kids [Carolina Caring's pediatric palliative medicine and hospice program] began distributing LovEvolve blankets and swaddles to our hospice patients in December 2024. Though these items are a recent addition to our story, families have already shared that these gifts bring lasting meaning to their hospice experience. These blankets are memory makers, reminding families of the impact that their child has had on this world. Sometimes, parents use the blankets whenever they spend the night with their children at the hospice house. The blankets have also been regifted to siblings as a tangible reminder of their brother or sister. The visual cue of love has been a source of peace for many of our Pediatric nurses, as well.
‘Dying people are incredible teachers’: Hospice nurse leans on personal loss experience to speak about end of life, write children’s books
03/21/25 at 03:00 AM‘Dying people are incredible teachers’: Hospice nurse leans on personal loss experience to speak about end of life, write children’s books Dayton Daily News, Dayton, OH; by Beth Anspach; 3/20/25 Kim Vesey has experienced more than her share of loss. Her husband, Les, passed away in 2006 of colon cancer. “He died at home with Hospice care,” Vesey said. “Having worked in this area and experiencing it myself, this took it all to a much deeper level and changed my understanding of the process of grief.” ... She was hired for her first Hospice job in 1985. “It’s taught me a lot about life and living and what is important,” she said. “Dying people are incredible teachers.” ... After losing her husband, Vesey continued her work in Hospice care. Then in 2017, her daughter Sarah, who had struggled with severe asthma her entire life, passed away after going into cardiac arrest. She was just 29 years old and left behind a 4-year-old son, Warren. She was also pregnant with her second child. “My experience of losing my daughter shined a light on the struggle for children who are grieving,” Vesey said.“ ... Today, Vesey has published four books with two additional scheduled to be published this year, including a book about losing a beloved pet. ...
Children and family bereavement needs on the rise at Hospice of Santa Barbara
03/07/25 at 03:00 AMChildren and family bereavement needs on the rise at Hospice of Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara, CA; by Hospice of Santa Barbara; 3/5/25 It’s not just adults who are impacted by grief and loss in our community. Children are as well. One in five children will experience the death of someone close to them by age 18, and one in twenty children will experience the death of one or both parents before reaching adulthood. Although death and grief are inevitable parts of life, these statistics highlight just how many children are impacted. Children are especially vulnerable when they lose a close loved one, and without professional support, grief can be especially paralyzing and overwhelming. ... Hospice of Santa Barbara’s Children and Family Services program provides free professional support and coping tools for children, teens and their families ... HSB is active in local campuses, providing professional weekly support groups from elementary to college age students. On-campus counseling services provide a vital space for open communication, support and the development of coping skills.Editor's note: What specialized child, teen and family bereavement services are you providing? Missing? What more can you do, with life-changing outcomes for those you serve?
Influence of culture and spiritual tradition on support for families of children dying in intensive care units
03/01/25 at 03:20 AMInfluence of culture and spiritual tradition on support for families of children dying in intensive care unitsJournal of Pediatric Nursing; Sung-Jin Jeanie Ju, Janie Ito, Aubree Lin, Dagmar Grefe, Jennifer Baird, Rebecca Ortiz La Banca Barber; 2/25Parents utilize spirituality as a means of coping during and after a child's death. Complexity of grief associated with loss of a child suggests the paramount importance of providing appropriate support for parents while experiencing their child's critical illness or end of life. Findings indicated three themes that illustrate the end-of-life and bereavement process: 1) Coping during hospitalization and the end-of-life stage; 2) coping during the bereavement stage; and 3) advice for parents and staff. To integrate the results into practice, hospital-wide education for staff on the importance of cultural and spiritual sensitivity is recommended. Additionally, collaboration with spiritual care teams, especially for patients and families facing complex diagnoses or advance care planning, will enhance the provision of culturally and spiritually sensitive care.
[UK] Supporting the bereaved child in the adult ICU: A narrative review
03/01/25 at 03:05 AM[UK] Supporting the bereaved child in the adult ICU: A narrative reviewIntensive Care Medicine; Annelies Rowland, Carole Boulanger, Louise Dalton; 2/25Childhood bereavement is a significant issue globally, affecting millions of children each year, with incidence rates significantly increasing following the COVID-19 pandemic. The loss of an important adult, particularly in the ICU environment, can lead to lasting psychological and behavioural challenges for children. Both families and healthcare professionals (HCPs) often feel unprepared and uncomfortable engaging in honest, supportive conversations with children about bereavement, further complicating children's grief processing. This narrative review examines the pivotal role ICU HCPs can play in facilitating child-centred bereavement support, focusing on promoting honest communication, supportive visitation practices, creating a child-friendly and humanised ICU environment, and encouraging child involvement during end-of-life care. The review also advocates for specialised training to equip ICU staff with the necessary skills to support grieving children and families.
Harbor Foundation expands mission with support for Southeast Texas students
02/19/25 at 03:00 AMHarbor Foundation expands mission with support for Southeast Texas students The Examiner, Beaumont, TX; by Barbara Davis; 2/18/25 Hope from heartache: For nearly two decades, the Harbor Foundation has been operating as a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals in hospice care, as well as the patients’ families. ... In 2024, the foundation’s efforts grew to include educational support, awarding $20,000 in scholarships to area seniors. As a result of donations and fundraising success, the Harbor Foundation reported that it will award 25 $1,000 scholarships to Southeast Texas seniors this year. This one-time $1,000 award is granted to graduating high school seniors who have lost a parent. Recognizing the financial challenges that accompany such a loss, the foundation aims to alleviate some of the burdens associated with pursuing higher education. ...Editor's note: These significant "one-time" awards for high school seniors who have lost a parent can provide life-changing opportunities of support at a most critical time for these teens. Consider how your hospice--or another nonprofit--might replicate this innovative, meaningful program.
Father of 3 stages 'Grief Photo Shoot' to remember wife who died of cancer (exclusive)
02/14/25 at 02:00 AMFather of 3 stages 'Grief Photo Shoot' to remember wife who died of cancer (exclusive): CJ Infantino and his late wife Ariana were high school sweethearts People; by Jordan Greene; 2/13/25 There are many moments forever etched in CJ Infantino’s memory, but one stands out above the rest. It was Sept. 5, 2020, when CJ and his wife, Ariana, sat their three kids down at the kitchen table in their California home and told them that Ariana, 35, was going to die. ... Ariana was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2015 — coincidentally, on CJ’s 30th birthday. "We spent the next five-and-a-half years trying to live as much life as we could. We wanted to pack 30 years into 10," CJ says. ... After her last breath, he recalls that everyone "just went silent." ... Right away, the father of three felt isolated, as if no one could relate to his experience. He found that the things people said were often unhelpful and, at times, unintentionally harmful. ... "I really just wanted to show my kids that, even though she’s not physically here, it’s okay to talk about her. We’re still allowed to laugh, even when we’re in so much pain," he says. "I remember the first moment I laughed or felt a hint of joy, and I thought, 'Are we allowed to do this?' " ... [Click on the title's link for the inspirational story and family photos before and after Ariana's death.]
Flu cases continue to rise across the country
02/13/25 at 03:00 AMFlu cases continue to rise across the countryABC 6 News, Rochester, MN; by KAALTV; 2/10/25Flu cases are continuing to rise across the country as doctor visits for flu-like symptoms are now reaching their highest point in 15 years. The CDC estimates at least 24 million illnesses this flu season alone, with 13,000 turning deadly. Right now, about 31% of flu tests are coming back positive, nearly double the peak from last season. Doctors say your best line of defense is vaccination.Editor's note: We see this surge across news media sources, and compiled this state-specific list for you.
Bringing children home: Kentucky Children’s Hospital’s approach to pediatric end-of-life care
02/12/25 at 03:00 AMBringing children home: Kentucky Children’s Hospital’s approach to pediatric end-of-life care American Hospital Association; 2/8/25 When parents have a child with a serious illness, all they want is for their child to get well. If that no longer becomes a possibility, often all they want is to bring their child home. Most — around 70% — of pediatric deaths related to illness occur in the hospital, but the Kentucky Children’s Health Pediatric Advanced Care Team offers some families the chance to transport their child home using life-sustaining technology. That’s not an easy feat; these patients are medically fragile, and the outcome can be unpredictable. A team made up of hospital administrators, hospice providers, coroner and the transportation team comes up with a plan. The child’s parents complete an informed consent procedure, recognizing that their child may not survive the journey home. The transportation team tries to ensure that the journey is as comfortable as possible, as well as planning what to do if the child’s condition deteriorates on the journey. If that happens, he or she will be supported as they pass without resuscitation efforts.
Volunteer and her 3 dogs provide joy through Hospice of the Valley's pet therapy program
02/10/25 at 03:00 AMVolunteer and her 3 dogs provide joy through Hospice of the Valley's pet therapy program AZCentral; by Lin Sue Flood, Hospice of the Valley; 2/7/25 Marian Wallace loves dogs and loves volunteering, so she put the two together to provide joy to others. [Her] three adorable Labradors — Mattie, Harper and Richey — are the newest members of Hospice of the Valley’s pet therapy program. They visit youngsters at Ryan House, which provides respite support to families with medically fragile children. ... Marian joined Hospice of the Valley’s pet therapy program was about 10 years ago. A friend who had a therapy pet inspired her to rescue and train dogs. She began visiting hospice patients with her first two labs, Shiloh and Amy. ... “It’s that child-animal interaction that I find so incredible,” she said. ... One of the most endearing qualities she sees in all of her Labs is how intuitive they are, tapping into the moods and emotions of children to comfort them. ... Editor's note: Ensuring pet therapy training and certification is crucial, for both the pet and the owner. Click here for an extensive national list of Pet Therapy Organizations. If you have--or plan to provide--a pet therapy program, be sure that insurance is provided (by the pet therapy organization and/or by you) in case an incident occurs.
How to prepare children for hardships and tragedies
02/06/25 at 03:00 AMGarlock: How to prepare children for hardships and tragedies The Citizen; by Dr. Victor Garlock; 2/4/25 All of us must face hardships and tragedies. How well we are able to get through difficult times is a major factor affecting the overall quality of our lives. Sometimes these challenges arrive individually, as in a sudden serious illness, an accident, or the death of a loved one. Sometimes — as in last fall’s devastating floods in North Carolina or the recent wildfires in Southern California — entire communities must find a way to move forward. ... Resilience is the capacity to recover from challenges and adversity. Tragic optimism is the determination to remain optimistic and find meaning and purpose in the face of tragedy. [With children:]
Grief and bereavement books for kids and teens
02/06/25 at 03:00 AMGrief and bereavement books for kids and teens Evermore; list developed in collaboration with Dr. Donna Gaffney; 2/1/25... How can a young person grasp the enormity, meaning, and consequences of an occurrence that brought death, injury, or harm into their life? ... Because books can be such a powerful balm during a time of grief, here’s our list of favorite books for kids and teens that explore the difficult experiences of death, grief, loss, and bereavement. [Click here for the full article with book descriptions, photos, and links.]