Literature Review

Hospice tech helps Scottsdale patientScottsdale (AZ) Progress, By Lin Sue Flood, 12/22/23ALS has changed John Rosso’s life, but not in the way one might imagine. The cheery-natured Scottsdale resident doesn’t focus on what he can no longer do. Instead, the 73-year-old channels his energy into pushing boundaries and overcoming challenges posed by the neurodegenerative disease. ... Hospice of the Valley’s unique Pulmonary Resource Program supports patients with neuromuscular diseases, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, COPD and other conditions that affect breathing.[Editor’s Note: The author is Director of Community Engagement for Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ.]

Helios Care Partners with Bassett Healthcare to Expand Hospice, Palliative ServicesHospice NewsDecember 21, 2023The hospice and senior care provider Helios Care is partnering with the integrated health system Bassett Healthcare Network to bring more extensive access to hospice and palliative care to patients in central New York. ... As a result of the partnership, the New York State Department of Health issued certificates of need allowing Helios to expand into additional counties. 

Lassus Donates To Stillwater HospiceTimes Union (Warsaw, IN)December 19, 2023Warsaw, IN—Lassus Handy Dandy, 777 Parker St., Warsaw, presented Stillwater Hospice with a $2,610 donation Tuesday. Store Manager Lora Bridegam said from Nov. 7 to Dec. 1, all the Lassus stores do the “Be a Blessing” fundraiser, which is a tradition Lassus has done for years. The donation came from customers choosing to round their purchases up. 

Community Foundation Boosts Mahoning Valley Nonprofits with $972,402The Business Journal (Youngstown, OH)December 20, 2023Youngstown, OH—The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley and its affiliates awarded $972,402 to 39 local organizations. ... Additionally, the Hospice Trust of Trumbull County granted $100,000 to Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice.

Rome Community Foundation awards nearly $184K in fourth-quarter grantsCentral New York Business JournalDecember 19, 2023Rome, NY—The Rome Community Foundation announced it has awarded $183,616 in grants—ranging from $500 to $25,000 each—to 21 Rome-area charitable organizations. The recipients include: Hospice and Palliative Care, $15,000; ...

LCHD head defends hospice program budgetPen City Current (Fort Madison, IA)December 19, 2023Fort Madison, IA—It would appear that a push by some on the Lee County Board of Supervisors to get out of the hospice business is at a stand still. At Monday’s regular meeting of the board, Keokuk resident Mary Jo Reisberg and an employee of the health department advocated for the county staying in the hospice business to make sure that every county resident has a choice for care. ... Several members of the board, including Chairman Garry Seyb, said they don’t think the county should be engaged in business that competes with private for-profit companies. 

How 19 New Hanover Community Endowment grants totaling $53 million will be spentStar News (Wilmington, NC)December 18, 2023Wilmington, NC—The New Hanover Community Endowment has announced more than $53 million in grants to philanthropic efforts in New Hanover County. Over the next three years, the $53 million will go toward 19 grants in New Hanover County focused on the healthcare workforce pipeline, early childhood education and health access. The endowment is also granting $1.4 million to 14 organizations with one-year, non-renewable grants that supports programs like elder care, literacy and youth violence prevention. 

Racial and Ethnic Disparities Seen in Use of HospiceHealthDayDecember 18, 2023Racial and ethnic disparities are seen in use of hospice among Medicaid recipients, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in JAMA Health Forum. Julie Robison, Ph.D., from the UConn Health Center on Aging in Farmington, and colleagues compared hospice use and hospice length of stay (LOS) by race and ethnicity among Medicaid-only individuals and those with dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid (duals). 

Despite Economic Growth in 2023, State of the Commonwealth Report Shows Worrying TrendsNews ReleaseDecember 18, 2023Norfolk, VA—There are positive takeaways from Old Dominion University’s ninth annual State of the Commonwealth Report. Virginia’s economy and population continued to grow in 2023 and a record number of people were employed and in the labor force, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. But the report, produced by ODU’s Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy, also raises questions about the commonwealth’s future. 

Chemed Corporation Announces the Appointment of Michael D. Witzeman as CFOBusiness WireDecember 18, 2023Cincinnati, OH—Today Chemed Corporation’s Board of Directors has appointed Michael D. Witzeman as Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2024, following the retirement of David P. Williams from that role. Mr. Witzeman is currently Chemed’s Vice President and Controller and serves as Chemed’s principal accounting officer. 

Carol S. Weeks Memorial Hospice Benefit raises $8,200LootPress (Beckley, WV)December 18, 2023Beckley, WV—”The 7th Annual Carol S. Weeks Memorial Hospice Benefit recently raised $8,200 for Hospice of Southern West Virginia. The three-day event is hosted by Calacino’s Pizzeria owner Jeff Weeks. The awareness event is important to Weeks whose mother received hospice services after a battle with an autoimmune disease.

Mary Washington Hospice’s 6th annual Light Up a Life raises more than $34,000Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA)December 17, 2023Fredericksburg, VA—Mary Washington Hospice hosted its sixth annual Light Up a Life Illumination event on Nov. 9. This special event allowed community members to purchase luminaria in their loved ones’ memory. ... Proceeds from Light Up a Life benefit Mary Washington Hospice, Grief Support Services and Mary Washington Hospital Auxiliary. ... “This year, Light Up a Life raised more than $34,000 to support these vital programs,” says Amy Hoffman, director of Mary Washington Hospice.