Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Hospice Provider News.”
Honoring the lives and legacies of hospice leaders - September 2025
10/06/25 at 03:00 AMHonoring the lives and legacies of hospice leaders - September 2025
Sought-after physician specialty roles are taking longer to fill
10/03/25 at 03:00 AMSought-after physician specialty roles are taking longer to fill Modern Healthcare; by Tim Broderick; 9/24/25 The time it took to fill open positions for the most sought-after physician specialties increased to almost five months in 2024, according to new research. The nonprofit Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment, with research firm Industry Insights, examined 2024 data from more than 15,000 searches of the association’s site, 61% of which were related to physician searches. ... The analysis found the estimated median days to fill the selected jobs increased by 11.5%, to 145 days in 2024 from 130 days in 2023. Oncology positions were the hardest to fill, at an estimated median of 332 days. Cardiology positions followed with an estimated median of 248 days to fill. [Access to the full article might be limited per a paywall.] Editor's Note: Oncology and cardiology are now the two hardest physician specialties to fill. This matters for hospice care because, according to NHPCO’s Facts and Figures 2024, cancer and circulatory diseases join Alzheimer’s and other nervous system disorders as the top three hospice diagnoses—together representing nearly three-fourths of all admissions. Delays in recruiting oncologists and cardiologists risk postponing timely palliative and hospice referrals. Newly hired specialists in these fields also need focused training—and intentional relationship-building with hospice teams—to ensure patients and families receive seamless, compassionate care.
Chico nurses at Enloe Health to hold rally to protest closure of home health and hospice units
10/03/25 at 03:00 AMChico nurses at Enloe Health to hold rally to protest closure of home health and hospice units National Nurses United; Press Release by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United; 10/1/25 ... Nurses are calling on the hospital to protect the health of some of Chico’s most vulnerable patients and maintain the essential services and end-of-life care provided by these units. “For years, Enloe hospice stood alone in providing care for underserved Medi-Cal patients and for our youngest, most fragile patients—children at the end of life,” said Ruby Khoury, registered nurse in the hospice unit. “A vital, compassionate service is being taken away, and a hospital that once led with dignity and inclusivity in hospice care now faces a painful void. We nurses demand that the home health and hospice units remain open. Otherwise, the most vulnerable will suffer first: children, Medi-Cal patients, families without resources.”
Visiting Nurse Association rejects Cape Cod Healthcare's latest contract proposal
10/03/25 at 03:00 AMVisiting Nurse Association rejects Cape Cod Healthcare's latest contract proposal Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, MA; by Desiree Nikfardjam; 10/2/25 Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod registered nurses have voted "overwhelmingly" to reject Cape Cod Healthcare's contract offer that was proposed on Sept. 11, according to a press release. The offer was the "last, best, and final" from Cape Cod Healthcare, according to the statement. The nurse association members are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association. ... The Visiting Nurse Association's nurses provide essential home health and hospice care to patients across Cape Cod and the Islands and had previously voted 96% in favor of authorizing a three-day strike if progress at the bargaining table was not made.
Danbury hospice gets $2 million to expand care for children with life-limiting illnesses
10/01/25 at 03:00 AMDanbury hospice gets $2 million to expand care for children with life-limiting illnesses Shelton Herald, Bridgeport, CT; by Cris Villalonga-Vivoni; 9/30/25 A Danbury-based nonprofit hospice center is receiving $2 million in state funding to expand its pediatric care services and help more families access specialized end-of-life care. Founded in 1983, Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut is the only nonprofit hospice in the state providing hospice care to children under 21 with life-threatening conditions. However, its capacity remains limited amid rising demand. In 2020, there were an estimated 7,800 children in Connecticut with complex medical conditions that limit their life expectancy and could benefit from palliative and hospice care, according to the National Survey of Children’s Health.
End-of-life outcomes and staff visits for hospice recipients residing in assisted living
10/01/25 at 03:00 AMEnd-of-life outcomes and staff visits for hospice recipients residing in assisted living Journal of the American Medical Directors Association; by Wenhan Guo, Shubing Cai, Yue Li, Brian E McGarry, Thomas V Caprio, Helena Temkin-Greener; 9/26/25 Objectives: ... We hypothesized that more frequent staff visits and specific regulatory provisions would be associated with improved EOL outcomes. ... Conclusions and implications: Hospice staffing intensity, especially clinical visits, appears to be associated with EOL outcomes for AL residents. AL state regulations are also associated with hospice quality. These findings underscore the role of both organizational practices and regulatory policy in shaping hospice experiences in AL settings.
Hospice of Santa Barbara’s No One Dies Alone Program ensures that those who are alone and actively dying, have someone at their bedside
10/01/25 at 03:00 AMHospice of Santa Barbara’s No One Dies Alone Program ensures that those who are alone and actively dying, have someone at their bedside Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara, CA; by Hospice of Santa Barbara; 9/29/25Hospice of Santa Barbara’s (HSB) No One Dies Alone (NODA) program has partnered with local senior living facilities in Santa Barbara for over a decade, providing compassionate volunteer support to seniors in their final 24 to 72 hours when family or friends are unavailable. Currently, NODA has 21 trained volunteers serving in the program. Before becoming a NODA volunteer, applicants must graduate from a six-week patient care training and serve as a patient care volunteer for a minimum of 9 months before attending a NODA specific training. Most NODA volunteers have been with the program for years and feel a strong commitment to the work they do.
10 top areas for growth, per health system CEOs and CFOs
09/30/25 at 03:00 AM10 top areas for growth, per health system CEOs and CFOs Becker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 9/25/25 As healthcare continues to face financial pressures, workforce shortages, and rising patient expectations, health system executives are reimagining their strategies for growth. In a series of connections with C-suite leaders across the country, 10 themes surfaced again and again ... Here are the 10 most frequently cited growth areas, and how they shape the future of healthcare.
Melinda Mullet: Hospice helps us die well. But barriers and misconceptions prevent access to services.
09/30/25 at 03:00 AMMelinda Mullet: Hospice helps us die well. But barriers and misconceptions prevent access to services. The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA; by Melinda Mullet; 9/28/25 Hospice helps us die well. But barriers and misconceptions prevent access to services. ... To read an in-depth analysis of the barriers to hospice and the steps needed to ensure a robust end-of-life care in the future, my full report, “The Hope of Hospice: Reimaging End-of-Life Care in an Aging America,” is available at cpjustice.org/flipbook/2025-hatfield-prize-reports.
Hospice of the Chesapeake’s popular Golf Tournament raises more than $210K
09/30/25 at 03:00 AMHospice of the Chesapeake’s popular Golf Tournament raises more than $210K Hospice of the Chesapeake; Press Release; 9/29/25 Thanks to an impressive lineup of sponsors, the dedication of volunteers and the hundreds of golfers who came out to play, Hospice of the Chesapeake’s annual Golf Tournament was another great success. The event raised more than $210,000 in support of the nonprofit’s mission to care for families in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and Prince George’s counties. Held Sept. 25 at Queenstown Harbor Golf Course, the day was filled with good cheer, delicious food and generous hospitality ... This success would not have been possible without the businesses, organizations and individuals in the community who stepped up as sponsors, ... This event helps families experience moments of joy, dignity and connection at one of life’s hardest times.
Virtual visits boost hospice home care services across Dallas-Fort Worth area
09/29/25 at 03:00 AMVirtual visits boost hospice home care services across Dallas-Fort Worth area The Smithfield Times, Aubrey, TX; Press Services; 9/26/25 Sovereign Hospice in Aubrey, TX, explains how telehealth and virtual visits help patients and families get hospice home care services faster. In the Dallas–Fort Worth area, these tools let nurses and doctors check patients quickly and answer questions without delay. Families far away can also join care meetings by video, making them part of the journey and improving understanding of the services the hospice offers.
Heart to Heart Hospice expands service in Southern Indiana
09/29/25 at 03:00 AMHeart to Heart Hospice expands service in Southern Indiana The LaGrange Daily News, Plano, TX; by PR Newswire; 9/25/25 Heart to Heart Hospice, one of the country's largest private providers of hospice care, has expanded its service area in southern Indiana with the recent opening of a new location in Corydon to meet needs in six additional counties. The new site is now serving patients and families residing in the counties of Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Scott, and Washington.
Shepherd’s Cove helps students cope with loss
09/29/25 at 03:00 AMShepherd’s Cove helps students cope with loss Messenger, Gadsden, AL; by Karla McArthur; 9/25/25 ... “When people think of Shepherd’s Cove, they think of a hospice facility, which is accurate but not the complete picture,” Smothers said. “They don’t necessarily connect the grief support with the hospice services.” The nonprofit’s hospice facility serves nine counties, but its in-school bereavement program currently reaches only four. Portions of Etowah County are included, allowing counselors to support students at several schools, including West End, Duck Springs, Highland, Sardis-area campuses and Attalla City schools. Smothers said the goal is to expand as more staff are added. A team of four social workers provides monthly counseling for students in grades K-12 who have experienced a loss. The loss does not have to be recent. “We operate under the precept that grief doesn’t have a timeline,” Smothers said.
New AAHPM CEO on ensuring widespread access to hospice and palliative care
09/26/25 at 03:15 AMNew AAHPM CEO on ensuring widespread access to hospice and palliative care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 9/25/25 Workforce, access to care, reimbursement and public policy are top agenda items for the A merican Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine as new CEO Pierre M. Désy takes the reins. ... Hospice News sat down with Désy to discuss the academy’s current priorities and the top issues facing hospice and palliative medicine. ... [Jim Parker] "Could you tell me some of your top priorities as you come into this new role?" [Dr. Pierre Désy] I have been focusing on listening and alignment. So the first part is a listening tour and relationship building tour, where I’m talking with every board member, one on one. I’m talking with committee chairs, council chairs. I’m speaking with all of our partners, every staff person, sponsors and individual donors.
Hospice of Amador and Calaveras raises over $66,000 at 26th annual “Celebrate Life” Art Auction on the Lawn
09/26/25 at 03:00 AMHospice of Amador and Calaveras raises over $66,000 at 26th annual “Celebrate Life” Art Auction on the Lawn Ledger.news, Jackson, CA; Press Release; 9/25/25 Hospice of Amador and Calaveras proudly announces the success of its 26th annual “Celebrate Life” Art Auction on the Lawn, which brought together community members, artists, donors, and supporters for an evening of generosity and celebration. Thanks to the incredible support of the community, the event raised over $66,000 to help provide compassionate, quality end-of-life care to patients and families in Amador and Calaveras Counties. “This event is a beautiful reminder of what can be accomplished when a community comes together for a cause,” said Samantha Lukow, Executive Director of Hospice of Amador and Calaveras.
Avow recognizes World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
09/26/25 at 02:00 AMAvow recognizes World Hospice and Palliative Care Day Priority Marketing; Press Release; 9/25/25 Avow joins organizations around the globe in observing World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on Saturday, Oct. 11, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the critical role hospice and palliative care play in supporting patients and families facing serious illness. Editor's Note: For information to honor hits at your organization, visit our 7/15/25 post, World Hospice & Palliative Care Day 2025 - Achieving the Promise: Universal access to palliative care
Hundreds of veterans to be honored at Summit Park during welcome home celebration
09/25/25 at 03:00 AMHundreds of veterans to be honored at Summit Park during welcome home celebration ABC WCPO-9, Blue Ash, OH; by Taylor Woods; 9/24/25Hospice of Cincinnati is hosting its fourth annual welcome home celebration for veterans at Summit Park, honoring their service and sacrifice with special tributes. Meet Karl Matson, a retired Air Force veteran who now enjoys taking long walks at the park. ... "It's incredibly powerful to see the country honoring veterans today, especially for the Vietnam War veterans, they came back in during a tough time," Matson said. He is a hospice volunteer. According to Hospice of Cincinnati, one out of four hospice patients are veterans. Matson said it's important to recognize their sacrifices. Tributes will be given to veterans of each era, honoring those who are still around and those who are no longer with us.
Building blocks of hospice family caregiver support
09/25/25 at 02:00 AMBuilding blocks of hospice family caregiver support Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 9/24/25 Untapped reimbursement opportunities exist when it comes to developing a sustainable family caregiving infrastructure in the face of rising demand for home-based hospice care. ... Among the payment avenues with potential to improve support for caregivers is the Medicaid-funded Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) program. SFC coverage includes a modest financial stipend to health care providers that offer home- and community-based services for caregivers. ... Roughly 63 million Americans are family caregivers, an increase of nearly 50% since 2015, according to a report from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. About one-in-every-four adults is a caregiver to a family member, with 40% of these individuals providing high-intensity care, the report found. About half of the nation’s caregivers reported negative financial impacts, with one-in-five unable to afford basic needs such as food and 25% taking on debt. Additionally, one-in-five caregivers have poor health outcomes, the report found.Editor's Note: Are you aware that the 2008 CMS Hospice Conditions of Participation identify the "family" 423 times? (Yes, I've searched, counted, and categorized.) Click here for AARP's 2025 edition of Caregiving in the US.
‘Churning’ hospice patients yields no significant financial benefits, study finds
09/24/25 at 03:00 AM‘Churning’ hospice patients yields no significant financial benefits, study find McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 9/22/25 Hospices that try to game Medicare payment rules by “churning” patients are producing negligible financial benefits, according to a new study published in the Journal of Public Economics. Researchers used Medicare hospice claims data from 2000 to 2019 to identify instances of providers churning patients. “Churning” refers to the practice of rapidly enrolling and discharging beneficiaries as a means of undercutting Medicare payment caps. ... For FY 2026, the hospice cap amount is $35,361.44, an increase of 2.6% from FY 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said in the hospice final rule. ... Hospices may try to “game” the system by rapidly enrolling and discharging patients to raise their payment cap, the researchers noted. ... Previous research has indicated that churning may be associated with worse end-of-life outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries, researchers noted.
Hospice home for veterans named after philanthropist in Nevada
09/24/25 at 03:00 AMHospice home for veterans named after philanthropist in Nevada Audacy.com - Connecting Vets; by Julia DeDoux; 9/22/25 A Reno, Nevada-based nonprofit dedicated to ensuring veterans have access to the medical care they need has named its newly opened hospice home in honor of a philanthropist whose gifts have been critical to its efforts. Veterans Guest House said the facility, which opened in June, will be known as the Cynthia Lake House. Lake has been instrumental in expanding access to both medical and end-of-life care for veterans across northern Nevada. In 2022, she founded Veterans Guest House’s Patient Advocacy Program, which connects veterans with transportation, post-operative care, and personal support. The impact of the program inspired Lake to scale the vision to 24/7 personalized care, making the hospice house possible.
Hospice, palliative care services yield high quality, cost savings
09/24/25 at 02:00 AMHospice, palliative care services yield high quality, cost savings Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 9/22/25 Hospice and palliative care services can result in better outcomes and reduced costs, recent research has found. A recent study by Empassion Health examined 45,957 seriously ill patients receiving supportive care through the organization from January 2023 to April 2025. The study found a 35% reduction in total cost of care per patient during the final year of life when compared to other individuals. ... The study illustrates the significant quality and cost impacts of hospice and palliative care delivery, Robin Heffernan, CEO and co-founder of Empassion Health, said ...
Noel: Life events bring clarity to the truth about change
09/23/25 at 03:00 AMNoel: Life events bring clarity to the truth about change Telegraph Herald, Dubuque, IA; by Lavonne Noel, Executive Director for Hospice of Dubuque; 9/21/25 When my children were young, they enjoyed the “Where’s Waldo” books. ... Like us, Waldo finds himself in a complex, dynamic world. The reader is challenged with finding Waldo hiding somewhere amid the chaos. ... [Lavonne uses the Waldo metaphor to describe her recent mid-March to early-July leave of absence, due to her new grandbaby's medical needs and her own hip replacement/recovery. She describe the following about this time away.] ... My thoughts frequently centered on these three truths:
Students lift patients' spirits with Words of Warmth
09/23/25 at 03:00 AMStudents lift patients' spirits with Words of Warmth The Daily Toreador, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX; by Christian Jeter; 9/19/25 As pens hit paper with words of love and encouragement, students gathered to write letters to patients currently in hospice care at the Student Activities Board’s Words of Warmth event on Sept. 19. Hosted on the first floor of the Student Union Building, the event invited students to write a letter or decorate gift bags with uplifting words as a part of the SAB’s Service Week, a period of time in which the organization holds community service-focused volunteer events. ... Phrases such as “Peace and love” and “Wishing you comfort” were some of the many suggestions SAB members recommended students write on their letters. Students could also write more in-depth text or personal anecdotes.
[Canada] Huron Shores Hospice host record breaking Handbags for Hospice fundraiser
09/23/25 at 03:00 AM[Canada] Huron Shores Hospice host record breaking Handbags for Hospice fundraiser [$284k]CKNX NewsToday.ca; by Ryan Drury; 9/22/25 ... The now annual event in its ninth year raises money for compassionate end-of-life care at Huron Shores Hospice. This year's event was held on September 18 and Huron Shores Hospice shared in a media release that a new fundraising record of $248,000 was set. Huron Shores Hospice Executive Director Cathy Herbert began the evening's speeches by thanking everyone for making the night happen and continuing to support the hospice and its role in the community. All the funds raised will support Huron Shores Hospice’s mission ...
The hall of future jobs: A living exhibit of what AI can't replace
09/22/25 at 03:00 AMThe hall of future jobs: A living exhibit of what AI can't replace Impact Lab; by "Futurist" Thomas Frey; 9/16/25 Step into the year 2035, and the world of work looks radically different. AI has become a co-pilot in nearly every industry, automation is woven into the fabric of daily life, and robotics has mastered an astonishing range of physical and cognitive tasks. Yet even in this hyper-automated society, there remain roles that resist full automation—jobs that require human presence, judgment, creativity, or empathy in ways machines can only support, not replace. ... Here are 10 jobs that will likely still demand distinctly human labor: