Literature Review

Empowering ‘deeply undervalued’ caregivers would improve ‘lifeline for older adults’ McKnights Senior Living; by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 6/28/24 Direct care workers and family caregivers remain “deeply undervalued” and often overlooked despite calls for investment in the care economy, according to the authors of a new report. “These caregivers provide a lifeline for older adults, people with disabilities, and people living with chronic conditions,” PHI and the National Alliance for Caregiving said in an issue brief released Wednesday. “Empowering them in their roles will help to ensure high quality, responsive care to meet the needs and preferences of millions of Americans now and in the future.” The organizations called on providers, Congress, the Department of Labor, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, states, managed care plans and advocates to invest in the “essential partnership” between direct care workers and family caregivers. The new brief includes insights from a variety of stakeholders ...  The result is a list of recommendations that prioritize improvements to direct care jobs.Editor's Note: Our sponsor, Composing Life Out of Loss, equips hospice and palliative care organizations with caregiver education and support video libraries to strengthen relationships between the direct care professional and the family caregiver, with timely information for the entire family. Contents are written to CMS CoPs, CAHPS, and contemporary grief research; English and Spanish.

Paramedics helping hospice patients make final memories with family CKXS 99.1 News, St. Wallaceburg, Ontario; 6/7/24A new hospice program in Chatham-Kent is giving patients a chance to take one last end-of-life journey with their loved ones. Chatham-Kent EMS and the Chatham-Kent Hospice have partnered to create the Lasting Memories Program, which allows palliative patients to take a day trip to a location of their choosing. The program helps families create lasting memories of their loved ones in the final days through a trip to the farm, a ride to the lake, or enjoying a sporting event. Local paramedic Jon Benoit was credited for helping to get the program off the ground by coordinating services between the hospice and Medavie Health Services. “Medavie is really good about letting us use their ambulances and helping get this program running and supporting us through it… but the medics doing the actual program, it’s all volunteer time,” he said. Staff at the hospice work with families on coordinating the outing with volunteer paramedics, who escort them throughout the excursion, alleviating any health or medical concerns.

19 myths about dying people need to stop believing Million Dollar Sense; by Anuradha Supun; 5/29/24 

Manatee County hospice volunteer celebrates patients' birthdays dressed in costumes Specturm News 9, Manatee County, FL; by Rick Elmhorst; 5/13/24 A Manatee County woman is bringing joy to people in hospice care by celebrating their birthdays. Pam Freas volunteers with Chapters Health Lifepath Hospice by dressing in costumes and visiting patients for their birthdays. She also helps manage the supplies for milestone birthday celebrations, including packing birthday bags full of blankets and pillows. Freas recently visited a young boy named Jackson who was in home hospice care. She dressed as a dinosaur since Jackson loves dinosaurs. Although Jackson has a difficult time communicating, Freas spent time talking with him to brighten his day.

Volunteering in hospice helps Macalester students contemplate death's mysteries up close MSN - Minneapolis Star Tribune; by Katy Read; 5/10/24 "You think it will never happen to you, that it cannot happen to you, that you are the only person in the world to whom none of these things will ever happen," author Paul Auster wrote about humans' difficulty confronting our own mortality. ... Auster himself died last month at age 77. ... How can humans fully grasp the inevitability of our own death? It's a tough question to answer, maybe close to impossible. Three Macalester College students who just finished a course called the Anthropology of Death and Dying don't have the answer. Their professor, who has spent much of his career studying death as an anthropologist and a former hospice nurse, doesn't have an answer. A hospice nurse doesn't have the answer. And a hospice patient with lung cancer doesn't have the answer, even knowing he soon will confront its reality firsthand.

Elder abuse is easy to missNextAvenue; by Leida Snow; 5/6/24 Here is what to look for if you suspect a caregiver--whether a relative or a professional--is mistreating a loved one. ... People are living longer in their own homes outside of nursing homes or other institutional settings, which means that at some point each of us is likely to be a caregiver or looking for continuing health care for a loved one or ourselves. ... "My husband was in home hospice for the last months of his life." ... [A bereaved caregiver describes incidents with her husband's care.]  Then I ... went to the other room and called the agency's 24-hour number. 'I want her out of here,' I said. 'Please send someone else as soon as you can.' Lou briefly rallied the next morning, but he died later that day. Did the aide hasten his death? I believe she did."

University of Texas club puts life's memories into book for people receiving hospice care Austin American-Statesman; by Nicole Villalpando; 4/27/24 "What would you like your legacy to be?" Galilea Dupree asks Bob Bell, as she and two other University of Texas students gather around the dining room in Bell's North Austin home. ... Bob, 92, has congestive heart failure. After three strokes and two heart attacks, he began receiving services with Hospice Austin in November. He is one of nine people in hospice who are having their stories told by UT students as part of the Last Writers club. The club works with Hospice Austin and Compassus hospice to identify people who would like to have their stories told.

Hospice volunteers share their ‘why’ The Journal, by Lores Morton; 4/21/2024 From volunteer Lores Morton: Why am I a volunteer for Hospice of the Panhandle? It is for our patient’s caregivers, to give them break relief; to share what may be missing with patient’s spiritual support; to be a memory keeper — legacy; to give simple visitation; and, also, to volunteer administratively for Light Up a Life. ...  From volunteer Kelly Orwig, "My why has evolved, but at the core, is that I love people. I love people who need love. Death and dying are natural, but over our lives, we’ve been socialized to fear death to the point that we fear those who are dying. ...." 

Longview Marines honored for helping fellow veterans during their time in hospice care CBS 19 Tyler, TX; by Alan Kasper and Zak Wellerman; 4/18/24 A Longview hospice took time to recognize some very valuable volunteers Wednesday afternoon. Members of AccentCare Hospice & Palliative Care in Longview honored two Marines Corp. veterans who volunteer their time and help fellow veterans going through hospice care. Vietnam War veterans Jim Jones and Will Haggard have spent the past 12 years as part of a contingent from the Longview Marine Corp League, meaning they help make their last moments better for those in hospice care. ... Pam Fletcher, AccentCare Hospice executive director, said the hospice facility appreciates having volunteers like Jones, Haggard and others. 

Health Talk: Getting into a health care career The Barre Montpelier Times Argus Online, by Peg Bolgioni; 4/13/24According to the American Hospital Association, there will be a shortage of up to 3.2 million health care workers by 2026. America will face a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2033 and will need to hire at least 200,000 nurses per year to meet increased demand, and to replace retiring nurses. ... The mission of Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center is to enhance community efforts to grow and sustain the health workforce in southern Vermont. One of the ways we do this is by delivering pathway programs that connect students to health careers. [Click the title's link to read about this event.]Editor's Note: How might your organization create similar career engagement and education in your community? 

Community Hospice & Palliative Care recognizes National Volunteer MonthJAX Chamber, Press Release; 4/3/24 As April marks National Volunteer Month, Community Hospice & Palliative Care reaffirms its dedication to promoting and celebrating the invaluable contributions of volunteers. Volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization, providing companionship and a compassionate presence to patients and their families during challenging times. Throughout the month, Community Hospice & Palliative Care will spotlight individual volunteers and their inspiring stories through various social media platforms. These narratives will highlight the profound impact that volunteers have on the lives of those they serve and showcase the diverse ways in which they enrich our community. Editor's Note: Use this spark your own planning and recognition for your all-important hospice and palliative care volunteers!

April 21-27, 2024 National Volunteer Week: NHPCO's outreach suggestions & recognition ideasNHPCO website, for April 21-27, 2024The U.S. hospice movement was founded by dedicated volunteers and volunteer commitment continues to be a core part of the Medicare Hospice Benefit today. This National Volunteer Week, April 21 – 27, 2024, we’re shining a light on the dedicated, compassionate volunteers who brighten the lives of the patients and families we collectively serve.Editor's Note: Download and use NHPCO's pdf for numerous In-Person Recognition Ideas and Virtual Recognition Ideas.

Here’s what a doctor says actually happens when you die United Business Journal, by Nidhi Dhote; 3/26/24Death is the great equalizer; it’s a subject that intrigues and terrifies us in equal measure. Throughout human history, we’ve pondered what lies beyond the threshold of life, seeking answers in religion, philosophy, and science. Yet, despite all our advancements, the mystery of death remains largely intact. ... In this article, we’ll delve into what happens to our bodies when we die, as explained by medical professionals.