Literature Review

Sen. Baldwin demands investigation into veteran care failures at Tomah VAWXOW-19 ABC, Tomah, WI; by Terry Bell; 9/21/26 U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin is calling for an immediate investigation into serious allegations about the failure to care for veterans and unacceptable conditions at the Tomah VA Medical Center. Baldwin is asking Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to conduct a full review of staffing levels, provider coverage, medication delays, hospice care and patient safety at the Tomah VA Hospital. She's also requesting the VA Office of the Inspector General conduct an independent investigation. Baldwin's office heard from several Tomah VA employees who outlined severe lapses in patient care at the hospital. The allegations include inadequate staffing contributing to falls, injuries, food choking incidents and other adverse patient outcomes. [View recent incident:  Former VA nurse charged with intentionally abusing hospice patient]

Beyond the bottle: a whole person approach to pain management for veterans enrolled in inpatient hospice Medscape; by Tracy Shamas, APRN, MSN, ACHPN, Andrea Ruskin, MD, HEC-C, and Alexandra Laffer, PhD; 9/9/26 Background: ... Veterans Affairs inpatient hospice units are uniquely positioned to implement non-pharmacological pain interventions due to longer lengths of stay and broader resources compared to Medicare GIP-regulated settings. This quality improvement project aims to support the uptake and utilization of non-pharmacological pain management interventions for veterans receiving inpatient hospice care. ... Conclusions: Initial findings show that veterans with pain at end-of-life express interest in holistic non-pharmacological options, and integrating these approaches is feasible within inpatient hospice care. ... 

9/11 Memorial Map: Prepare for next Friday, 9/11's 25th anniversary 9.11 Legacy Foundation; Editor's Note by Joy Berger; retrieved from the internet 9/1/26 Explore a growing map of memorials nationwide that honor the lives lost and the heroes who responded to the September 11 attacks. Each marker reflects a community’s dedication to remembrance, resilience, and unity.Editor's Note: Where were you on the morning of September 11, 2001? How did you learn? Whom did you contact? What do you remember feeling? Fearing? What unfolded in your life, your family, your community because of the tragedies of 9/11? We--in hospice--know the longterm impact of both "normal" loss, and of tragic losses that live on in us until we die. I implore you to create ways to allow your employees and volunteers to honor this day in ways that can be meaningful to them, while respecting the tasks that need to be done on this standard workday. Perhaps, a message from your CEO, from a chaplain, a bereavement counselor, an employee who was directly affected by 9/11, or someone else. Perhaps--sent ahead of time, a link to a live-stream memorial service. Perhaps, a real-time text that marks a moment of silence on 9/11. Use your imagination and skills for healing, for compassionate care. Do you have a story to share? Please send the URL link to me.

Wabash Valley Sewing Connection donates quilts to veterans in hospice care WTWO/WAWV Terre Haute, Terre Haute, IN; by Noah Gastineau; 7/20/26 Veterans can sometimes feel left out or forgotten, especially those in Hospice care, but one group is thanking local veterans for their service one quilt at a time. The Wabash Valley Sewing Connection is donating 44 quilts to the VNA and Hospice of the Wabash Valley to be given to veterans at the facility. The group has been doing this for years, but this year is extra special as it coincides with America's 250th birthday. ... It took approximately 1,100 hours to quilt all 44 quilts together before they were donated to the VNA and Hospice of the Wabash Valley. 

Saluting their own: veterans share sacred bond Lovin' Life; by Lin Sue Flood; 7/6/26 This July, as we celebrate America’s independence, the bonds of military service between two veterans are stronger than ever. This powerful connection drives Hospice of the Valley’s Saluting Our Veterans program, which matches patients with volunteers who also served our country. Especially trained volunteers have completed more than 3,500 tribute visits since the program launched in 2011. For hospice patients like Bill, an Air Force veteran of the Korean War era, these visits bring a profound sense of peace. His volunteer, Tom Kasbeer, is a fellow veteran who visits frequently to talk about the olden days. When I salute him, it makes me feel proud to be a veteran, Tom says. It’s like I have a whole new friend in Mr. Bill.

Flying high: A Rainbow veteran’s late-life adventure Watertown Daily Times, Watertown, WI; by Kenyon Kemnitz, Rainbow Community Care; 6/24/26 [The story of a 98 year-old veteran in hospice care going on an Honor Flight to Washington DC.] Behind the scenes, the Rainbow [hospice] staff balanced rigorous clinical planning with deep emotional support. Amanda served as the clinical anchor for the mission. Initially, there were discussions about postponing his flight until May, but Raduege advocated for keeping the timeline the same. She coordinated with the Honor Flight’s specialized medical team and ensured that every potential health variable was addressed long before takeoff. ... The Honor Flight carried over 80 veterans, but Weber was the patriarch of the group. ... Throughout the day, he was accompanied by his own personal medic, an EMT named Travis, who stayed by his side, providing a continuous blanket of clinical safety and companionship.

Veterans Guest House hospice program nears one-year milestone ahead of Memorial Day KOLO 8 ABC NewsNow, Reno, NV; by Hana Altenburg; 5/25/26 As Memorial Day approaches, a Northern Nevada nonprofit is encouraging the community to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans while highlighting a growing need for hospice care services in the region. ... According to Veterans Guest House, there are an estimated 10 hospice beds dedicated specifically to veterans in the Reno-Sparks area, despite Nevada being home to more than 150,000 veterans statewide. Nearly half of those veterans are age 65 or older. The Cynthia Lake House provides free accommodations for veterans and family members during hospice care.

Veterans’ Memorial Garden to be dedicated May 25 Carteret County News-Times, Morehead, NC; by Cheryl Burkes; 5/20/26 Among ceremonies that will honor fallen veterans on Memorial Day, which is May 25, is dedication of a new Veterans’ Memorial Garden at the Crystal Coast Hospice House in Newport. ... The garden is behind the Hospice House, adjacent to the Memorial Brick Garden. Kay Coole, Executive Director of the Crystal Coast Hospice House, said, “I wanted to recognize the veterans in our area and we needed a flagpole. ... Memorial Day will be the first time the flag is raised." The garden contains a flagpole, military branch stones and bushes, and flowers.

"Taps" Bugle Call: USMC Drum & Bugle Corps [YouTube]YouTube, filmed at the National Mall, Washington DC, retrieved from the internet 5/22/25Editor's note: We invite you to start this Memorial Day with this reflective playing of "Taps," with backdrops of the Washington Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and more. Ongoing, we share with you these resources below for the veterans and their families whom you serve.

98-year-old Korean War veteran honored in Redding through hospice recognition program KRCR-7 ABC News, Redding, CA; by Mike Mangas and Maxwell Valva; 5/5/26 Staff with Bristol Hospice, a provider of end-of-life care services, honored a Korean War veteran, 98, Tuesday, May 5 in Redding as part of a nationwide recognition program. The ceremony took place at Sundial Assisted Living, where John Schaefer was recognized for his military service. Schaefer served in the U.S. Army and was wounded during the war, earning a Purple Heart.

Sew Blessed honors Vietnam veteran with patriotic quilt The Herald, Roanoke Rapids, NC; 4/13/26 April 9 was a special Sew Blessed day for the quilt makers as they thanked Russell Crotts, a local U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, for his military service and presented him with a patriotic quilt. ... Crotts spoke to the group about some critical events during his military service, how they affected him and how eventually those events led him to the training of Flo, his service dog. ... This past year, as a veteran pet support volunteer with Liberty Hospice, Russ and Flo have traveled multiple counties, visited 27 hospice patients, and provided an opportunity for a unique connection of comfort between Flo and Liberty Hospice patients.

How to navigate a multigenerational team in health careHomeCare; by Kimberly Skehan & Jennifer Kennedy; 4/2/26 For the first time in history, five generations are working side by side in today’s organizations. Each cohort brings distinct experiences, values, communication styles and expectations. In health care, these differences influence not only workplace culture but also how care is delivered, received and supported. Understanding generational differences is no longer a soft skill. It is a strategic competency tied directly to quality, compliance, workforce sustainability and patient experience. The 5 Generations: