Literature Review

Hospice ‘pausing’ Martin-Linsin Residence while expanding home-care model OrleansHub.com, Orleans County, NY; by Tom Rivers; 9/3/24 The Martin-Linsin Residence has temporarily closed or is on “pause” following a thorough analysis that showed “significant financial losses due to the increasing operational costs” at the residence, according to a statement this evening from Niagara Hospice, which is running Hospice of Orleans. The eight-unit residence opened in 2012 following a $2.3 million capital campaign. Martin-Linsin used to have a waiting list, but was down to one resident last week. No new residents had been admitted for about three weeks. The clinical staff also was laid off last week after the death of the remaining resident at Martin-Linsin, a Hospice employee said. Niagara Hospice, in its statement, said it is dedicated to caring for the local community, and hospice care “continues to be delivered throughout Orleans County without interruption.”

Hospice of Hope names new executive director The Highland County Press, Hillsboro, OH; by Hospice of Hope Press Release; 9/3/24 Hospice of Hope has recently announced the appointment of Derek (Shawn) Flaugher as the organization’s new Executive Director. Flaugher will succeed Anthony (Tony) Trovato, who is set to retire at the end of September 2024. Flaugher obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Morehead State University and pursued a master’s degree in accounting at Clemson University. A retired Army National Guard Veteran with a combat tour in Afghanistan, Flaugher has dedicated 31 years to Hospice of Hope, progressing through roles including Staff Accountant, Controller and Director of Business Operations. Outgoing Executive Director Tony Trovato expressed his confidence in Flaugher, stating, "I am pleased to pass on the leadership to someone as committed and accomplished as Shawn. His wealth of experience and deep understanding of the healthcare landscape will be invaluable in his new capacity."  

Sharp HospiceCare’s 21st annual benefit regatta raises nearly $700,000 to support new hospice home in Poway The Coronado Times, Coronado, CO; by Dani Schwartz; 9/3/24 Sharp HospiceCare’s 21st Annual Benefit Dinner and Regatta brought the San Diego community together in a remarkable display of generosity last weekend, raising a record-breaking total of nearly $700,000 to support the construction of a new hospice home in Poway. ... The funds raised will significantly contribute to the completion of Moore MountainView Hospice Home in Poway, a facility that will provide a comforting, home-like environment for patients with life-limiting illnesses. This new residence is scheduled to open in Spring 2025 and will join Sharp’s existing hospice homes in La Mesa, Del Cerro and Bonita.

The art Of asking: How effective questioning transforms leadershipForbes; by Keli Frazier-Cox; 8/29/24As a leader, it can be tempting to fall into the trap of thinking you have all the answers. After all, successful problem-solving and making quick decisions were a big part of getting to where you are in the first place—right? But that’s not the whole story. Seeking input from people around you is important no matter what your position. This is especially true as we rise in seniority and the problems we face become more complex. Asking questions is a crucial but often overlooked leadership skill that moves us into a space of co-creation—finding the best solution, not just your solution. Engaging your teams, peers and other colleagues builds trust, loyalty and enthusiasm, helping guide everyone toward mutual success.

Hospice leaders: Culture the key to sustaining the workforceHospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/30/24In a time of workforce shortages, hospices are seeking the “secret sauce” that will help keep employees on board and bring new people into their fold. To find the right mix, hospice providers that have achieved national recognition for employer best practices point to a particular secret ingredient — a supportive culture with open lines of communication, a career path with room to grow and competitive compensation. For the California-based YoloCares, culture is critical, according to the nonprofit’s CEO Craig Dresang.Notable mentions: YoloCares, Vitas, Jennifer Blades of Haven Hospice.

BrightSpring Health Services announces definitive agreement to acquire Haven Hospice, expanding hospice services into Florida Business Insider, Louisville, KY; by Globe Newswire Press Release; 9/3/24BrightSpring Health Service ... announced that it completed the acquisition of the assets of North Central Florida Hospice, Inc. and Haven Medical Group, LLC (collectively “Haven Hospice”), a Florida-based company holding a Certificate of Need (CON) for comprehensive hospice care services in 18 counties in north central Florida, effective September 1, 2024. “We are excited to welcome Haven Hospice into BrightSpring, expanding our existing hospice services into the CON state of Florida,” said BrightSpring’s President and CEO Jon Rousseau.  

Bon Secours Home Care and Hospice announces new name HomeCare, Richmond, VA; 8/29/24 The Bon Secours Home Care and Hospice programs, which serves the greater Richmond area, announced a new name: Bon Secours Home Care and Hospice by Compassus. The name change reflects a joint venture partnership between Bon Secours Mercy Health, a Catholic health system in the U.S., and Compassus, a national provider of integrated home-based health care services, which was finalized earlier this year.

Two Illinois hospices expand to new countiesHospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/29/24Two Illinois-headquartered hospice operators have stretched their footprints into additional counties. Transitions Care has expanded its service region to include the Rock Island community in its home state... Meanwhile, Unity Hospice has also moved into two additional counties in the Land of Lincoln, effective Sept. 1.Notable mentions: Trish Benson, CEO of Transitions Care; Alisa Gerke, Executive Director of Unity Hospice.

"Never turn anybody away from care:" Hospice Care offers support in Hazard WYMT Mountain News, Hazard, KY; by Amelia Lee; 8/29/24 Aug. 8 was the annual radio day in Perry County for Bluegrass Care Navigators Hospice Care. On that day, $25,000 was raised and more donations continue to come in. Hospice care is a service for any person who has an illness or a decline in health. Nurse Manager at Bluegrass Hospice Care Center in Hazard, Donna Gibson, has been working in hospice care for 17 years. ... Bluegrass Care Navigators works to provide hospice care for all who need it, at no cost, said Associate Director of Philanthropy, Dawson Barnett. “Support on radio day throughout the year allows us to continue serving patients and their families regardless of their insurance status and ability to pay,” said Barnett. “We never have to turn anybody away from our care.”

Bon Secours Mercy Health partners with private equity-owned provider[VA] VPM; by Adrienne Hoar McGibbon; 8/27/24There is a growing demand for hospice care in Virginia. 40,000 people received hospice care in the state in 2023, according to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The joint venture with Compassus plans for expanded hospice and home health care. Bon Secours Mercy Health’s home health and hospice care division is teaming up with national home health care provider Compassus as part of a newly minted partnership. The home health and hospice program will now be called Bon Secours Home Care and Hospice by Compassus... The merger will also impact BSMH locations in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and South Carolina.

Unity Hospice expands service into Outagamie and Winnebago counties Seehafernews.com; by Ryan Brahm; 8/27/24 De Pere-based healthcare provider is expanding its service into two nearby counties. Unity Hospice recently announced that they would begin providing services in Outagamie and Winnebago Counties beginning September 1st. The expanded territory enables Unity to support patients and families wherever they call home, including private residences, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.Unity Executive Director Alisa Gerke said of the expansion, “We’re excited to expand our footprint to enhance the quality of life for more patients and families. Our experienced, local care team knows the community well and is aligned with area pharmacies and agencies to ensure outstanding, prompt, and dignified care.”

LobsterFest raises more than $115,000 for a good cause Steamboat Pilot & Today; by Eli Pace; 8/28/24 Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Rotary Club of Steamboat Springs served up more than 300 fresh lobsters Saturday at the Steamboat Springs Airport as Rotarians held to tradition while supporting Northwest Colorado Health’s Home Health and Hospice Services. Northwest Colorado Health is the only provider of Home Health and Hospice in the Yampa Valley, ... “In an average year, we care for more than 250 patients and provide support to their family members,” said Steph Einfeld, CEO of Northwest Colorado Health. ... The Rotarians had 310 lobsters flown in Thursday evening from Maine for the event that sells out every year, and a silent and live auction augmented table sales and sponsorships. According to the Rotary Club, this year’s LobsterFest raised more than $100,000 to support Northwest Colorado Health’s program and $15,000 for other Rotary charities.

Crafting holiday joy for Hernando Pasco Hospice patients Hernando Sun, New Port Richey, FL; by Megan Hussey; 8/26/24 It is the mission of Hernando Pasco Hospice and HPH Hospice Women of Giving to make this coming holiday season a brighter one for all patients served by HPH, and for HPH staff and team members, with the help of beautiful, jubilant holiday cards custom-made for them. It is their goal, in fact, to create at least 1,000 cards for these deserving individuals based in Hernando, Pasco and Citrus counties through the Crafty Christmas Campaign. ... “This is our second year for Crafty Christmas,” said Andrea Arflack, Director of Philanthropy Chapters Health Foundation In support of HPH Hospice. “It was created by one of our staff members in the spirit of giving. We made more than 1,000 cards last year for HPH patients and workers and plan to do the same thing this year.”Editor's Note: Now's the time to adapt this easy, meaningful community engagement with your volunteers and community partners.