Literature Review

Hospice care not meant to be a last resort, offers more benefits[NH] The Laconia Daily Sun; by Anna Swanson, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health; 6/24/25Hospice care is often misunderstood. Too many families see it as a last resort — something to turn to only when there’s “nothing else to do.” But at Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health, we see it differently. Hospice is not about giving up. It’s about choosing how to live. Hospice care is a gift — a chance to focus on what truly matters when time is short. It’s about comfort, dignity, and presence. It’s about saying yes to meaningful moments and no to unnecessary suffering.

NVNA and Hospice continues to expand care access, receives two $1 million giftsMassNonproftNews; 6/20/25NVNA and Hospice has announced two transformative $1 million gifts from prominent Boston-area philanthropists Cathy and Rick Roche and Karen and Rob Hale. The donations come as the nonprofit enters the silent phase of a five-year, $20 million fundraising campaign aimed at strengthening palliative and hospice patient care access across the South Shore.

Hospice of the Piedmont prioritizes mental health care[NC] Fox 8 WGHP; by Cassie Fambro; 6/20/25Dealing with a life-limiting illness can involve many trips to the doctor, pharmacy and even the emergency room at all hours and carrying around medical records and balancing medication schedules. When a physician, a patient and their family come to the decision that hospice is the right choice, new resources open up to make the physical aspect of care much easier, but that’s not all. A critical part of hospice treatment is mental health care. “We truly think of not just the patient as the one we are caring for, but their whole kind of unit … if that’s family or friends, whoever is pitching in to be part of their care team,” said Caroline Oxford, director of family care services at Hospice of the Piedmont.

WTWH Healthcare announces the Future Leaders Class of 2025Hospice News; by Jessica Longly; 6/18/25WTWH Healthcare, a WTWH Media, LLC company, is pleased to announce the Future Leaders Class of 2025. The Future Leaders Awards program recognizes dynamic leaders, age 40 and under, who are defining the future of aging and healthcare across the behavioral health, complex rehab technology, at-home care, home medical equipment, hospice and palliative care, senior housing, and skilled nursing industries. [Congratulations to Hospice & Palliative Care awardees – Sponsored by Homecare Homebase:]

[Canada] Niagara woman gives back to Hospice NiagaraNOTLLocal.com; Niagara-on-the-Lake local staff; 6/17/25Angie Roberts' father spent the final days of his life at Hospice Niagara, after months of being cared for by his family at home. What started with murals on the walls of her own home led Angie Roberts to a new project: a floral mural in the supportive counsellor’s office at Hospice Niagara. When Angie Roberts lost her father, Harold Griffith, to lymphoma, she found comfort and healing in something unexpected: a paintbrush... “Going to hospice was a huge relief for us. It was a gift,” she said. “It was really a wonderful gift that hospice was able to give to our family.” Angie wanted to give back for the care her dad received, while creating a warm and welcoming space for other families in their time of need. The mural features colourful flowers inspired by the fresh bouquets placed in every residence room, including her dad’s favourite — a yellow carnation— and patterned leaves drawn from the quilts that cover every bed.

How palliative care can differentiate hospices in the marketplaceHospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/18/25Potential referral partners and investors often see palliative care as a value-add for a hospice, home health agency or other provider. Palliative programs are difficult to manage as a standalone business due to the lack of a robust reimbursement model. Most palliative care programs are reimbursed through fee-for-service Medicare, which only covers physician or nurse practitioner services and does not include the full range of interdisciplinary care. Some palliative care is also paid for through Medicare Advantage plans and Accountable Care Organizations (ACO), where care and payment models often vary. But in many cases, providers see those services as a loss leader or as a “feeder” for their hospice programs, Eugene Goldenberg, managing partner from the investment bank Edgemont Partners, said at the Hospice News Elevate conference in Orlando, Florida.

100-year-old hospice patients wish to meet baby cow comes true(SC) WCBD News 2 - YouTube; 6/20/25[Heartwarming 45 second video - nice work Crescent Hospice Care!]

Hospices unveil new locations serving homeless, diverse patient populationsHospice News; by Holly Vossel; 6/23/25[New hospice locations highlighted in the article include:]

Meet winners of the Jennifer D. Hale Memorial Scholarship!Personal communication; 6/21/25Congratulations Dionne Carter, Old Dominion University!

Snowline rethinks donation policy Mountain Democrat, Placerville, CA; News Release; 6/18/25 ... Operated in support of Snowline’s nonprofit mission, its thrift stores raise crucial funds to provide palliative care, hospice services, bereavement and veteran support to individuals and families throughout our region. Recently, in response to feedback from the community about donation limitations, Snowline opened its doors to accept a broader range of donated items. The goal was simple: to be more accommodating and say “yes” more often to those wanting to give. ... While the outpouring of donations was generous and deeply appreciated, this well-intentioned shift led to a significant rise in items that simply could be resold, things that were broken, torn, incomplete or nonfunctional. As a result, waste removal costs have skyrocketed in the thousands due to an increased number of trash runs and landfill fees. These unexpected expenses threaten Snowline’s ability to direct maximum funds toward the care programs that are at the heart of its mission. “We want to be a resource for our community and also remain good stewards of the donations we receive,” said Director of Thrift Operations Daron Hairabedian. “But we also have a responsibility to ensure the dollars raised through our thrift operations go where they matter most, supporting patients and families in the most vulnerable times of their lives.” To preserve the long-term sustainability of Snowline’s vital programs, including palliative care and grief support services, Snowline Thrift Stores will return to a more selective donation process. 

Hospice: Relatable language, cultural humility key to grow rural utilizationHome Health Line; by MaryKent Wolff; 6/18/25 Agencies in rural communities that make information about their care more accessible to community members who may be isolated or lack trust in health care services could see both increased hospice utilization and patient engagement. [Subscription required for full access.]

Barbara Pearce honored at CT Hospice Gala for extraordinary leadership through challenging times The LaGrange Daily News, Branford, CT; by PR Newswire; 6/18/25 Barbara L. Pearce was honored for her "extraordinary leadership" during a pivotal period in The Connecticut Hospice's history at the organization's annual Bloom Gala. Held on the scenic waterfront grounds of The Connecticut Hospice in Branford, this year's gala celebrated Pearce's exceptional guardianship through a challenging time in the non-profit's 51-year history and welcomed Sylvia Allais as the new president and CEO. In 2019, Pearce accepted a temporary leadership role at Connecticut Hospice, the nation's first provider of palliative and end-of-life care for patients and their families. What was intended as a six-month interim role became a six-year commitment, with Pearce becoming the organization's president and CEO. During her tenure, Pearce secured the financial stability of Connecticut Hospice, enabling its vital mission of providing compassionate support—both at home and at the 52-bed inpatient facility—to continue for generations to come.

Omaha man on hospice gets wish to see College World Series game CBS KMTV-3, Omaha, NE; by Katrina Markel; 6/17/25 Lifelong baseball fan, Thomas Coker, is on hospice and lives at a skilled nursing facility in Central Omaha. His wish for his 75th birthday: attending a baseball game at the College World Series. His care team made that happen through the Dreamweaver Foundation.