Literature Review

The 12 event raises over $600,000 for NVNA and Hospice MassNonprofit News; 7/30/24 On June 19, NVNA and Hospice held its 10th annual The 12 event on the grounds of the Pat Roche Hospice Home atop Hingham’s Turkey Hill. More than $600,000 in critical funds were raised under the tent to support patients and families seeking end-of-life care. Over 600 guests gathered at the sold-out event, named for the 12 patient rooms at the home, for an evening of impact and inspiration. Family hospice experiences were shared, colleagues were honored, and live entertainment was provided by local musicians Steve and Sarah Bass. “Our ability to increase patient care access is directly due to the fact that this community supports our non-profit mission,” said Renee McInnes, MBA, RN, CEO of NVNA and Hospice. “Each year I am overwhelmed by the generosity that continues to grow along with us.”

Keeping for-profits out of hospices in New York State: A moral imperative Mid Hudson News, Albany, NY; 7/28/24 In recent years, the debate surrounding the role of for-profit entities in healthcare has intensified, particularly concerning the hospice sector. New York State, known for its robust healthcare infrastructure and progressive policies, now faces a critical decision: whether to allow for-profit companies to operate hospices. The implications of this decision are profound, as it touches on the very essence of what hospice care represents—compassion, dignity, and support at the end of life. The New York State Assembly is taking action by introducing Assembly Bill 6032, aimed at restricting the expansion of for-profit hospices across the state and preventing existing providers from increasing their capacity.

Hospice House of Williamsburg halts admissions for 3 months during renovations WHRO; by Nick McNamara; 7/18/24 Hospice House of Williamsburg is pausing admissions while the facility enters the final phase of renovations. Hospice House has provided end-of-life care and support for upwards of 150 guests annually since its facility opened in 2002. More than 3,000 people have stepped through its Powhatan Parkway doors in that time. And it did it all free of charge, according to Executive Director Brandon Randall. ... To meet that mission, the nonprofit relies on community donations to the tune of $1 million per year. Donations are also what made Hospice House’s renovations possible. ... The final phase of renovations starts in July and is expected to be complete in 12 weeks. During that time, staff will continue offering bereavement support services.

AMOREM names new Chief Executive Officer WKSK 93.5 West Jefferson, NC; 7/23/24 On Monday evening, the AMOREM Board of Directors named April Moore as the organization’s new chief executive officer. Moore began her career in hospice in 2004 ... with Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, which integrated with Burke Hospice and Palliative Care in 2021 to form AMOREM. ... Since the integration, she oversaw the building project for AMOREM’s palliative care center in Boone. She currently leads the building project for AMOREM’s patient care unit in Boone, set to open in early 2025. ... “The Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the hiring of April Moore as CEO of AMOREM,” AMOREM Board of Directors Chairman Jordan Greene ... “April has shown 20 years of leadership, dedication and love for our organization. Her commitment to the mission, vision and values of AMOREM is second to none. April is the definition of the hospice heart."

Hospice El Paso celebrates new center for care with ribbon cutting ceremony ABC KVIA TV-7, El Paso, TX; by Valeria Medina; 7/18/24 Hospice El Paso has announced its new Center for Compassionate Care (CCC). Hospice El Paso celebrated the new center with a ribbon cutting ceremony held July 18th. Hospice El Paso says the new center is state-of-the-art and includes pain and anxiety management care. The facility offers 24-hour short-term hospitalized care for the needs of their patients. The CCC is also opening a pediatric unit that will be utilized to care for terminally-ill children and their families.

Risky business: Home sweet home or nursing home? American Nurse - Perspectives; by Christopher Hirschler, PhD, MCHES; 7/18/24 In 2018, “Nursing homes: Good intentions, sad realities” chronicled Rita Hirschler’s experience in a nursing home after decades of being a private care nurse. In response to the ideas espoused in the article, namely that a person has a right to live and die in their home and risks are unavoidable whether one lives at home or in a nursing home, a commentator asked, “What is the solution?” ... According to the Center for Medicare Advocacy and Lu and Lu, ownership and sponsorship type have been shown to significantly impact the quality of care in nursing homes, with for-profits generally having lower staffing levels and poorer patient outcomes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Meyer, and KFF Health News say for-profit nursing homes now account for approximately 72% of the more than 15,000 U.S. nursing homes, and they provide varying levels of care to 1.3 million residents. 

Wellsboro's hospice home closes Gazette, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania; 7/12/24 After 25 years of providing a home for the dying, The Samaritan House, a mission project of St. Peter’s Church in Wellsboro [PA], has closed. For the past two years, the steering committee has tried to increase its volunteer base, raise funds, complete clearances and maintain the house. Despite meeting many goals and continuing to receive referrals, Samaritan House can no longer welcome guests because it can’t sustain a schedule. The Samaritan House ministry has welcomed guests and families from diverse faiths and backgrounds and cared for them with compassion and dignity for 25 years. Many of the volunteers have made friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

Caring with compassion: VNA Health’s commitment to holistic home health care VNA Health Live Well; by VNA Health; 7/10/24 Santa Barbara County has a unique home health care organization that is focused on serving its patients and their families without worrying about turning a profit. “As a nonprofit, VNA Health is more invested in the overall care of the patient,” said registered nurse Jadona Collier, the director of home health. “We provide programs and services that cannot be billed to Medicare or insurance.” The organization offers holistic care, meaning that, regardless of the service being used — including home health care, palliative care, hospice, and bereavement care — its medical professionals care about patients.

Spectrum Home Health & Hospice Care rebrands as Legacy Lifecare VNA & Hospice HCN Healthcare News; by HCN Staff; 7/11/24  Spectrum Home Health & Hospice Care, a care provider in Western Mass. since 1994, will now be known as Legacy Lifecare VNA & Hospice. The team, led by Madeline Presz, senior director of Home and Community-based Services, will continue to provide the same level of care. Legacy VNA & Hospice cares for patients with a broad range of conditions, including injuries, strokes, speech, memory and swallowing issues, joint replacements, neurological disorders, arthritis, traumatic brain injuries, and other debilitating conditions. 

Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation receives $1.2 million impact grant Cision PR Newswire; by Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation; 7/8/24The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF) is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a transformative $1.2 million impact grant from the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC). The Sandra Lee Schafer Impact Grant, given in memory of the late Sandra Lee Schafer, MN, RN, AOCN®, will empower HPNF to create a legacy of sustainable giving, which will impact the hospice and palliative care community for years to come. "We are deeply honored and grateful to receive this impact grant from HPCC, given in tribute of Sandy," said Virginia (Ginger) Marshall, MSN, ACNP-BC, ACHPN®, FPCN, chief executive officer of HPNF. ... Sandra was an unwavering advocate of specialty nursing certification. Following a stellar nursing career, Sandra served as the director of credentialing of the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center from 2004 until her sudden passing in 2018.

Ohio annual remembrance walk raised nearly $20,000 Miami Valley Today; by Staff; 7/3/24 Ohio’s Hospice raised almost $20,000 at its annual Remembrance Walk held on the grounds of the Inpatient Care Center in Troy, drawing approximately 150 participants to honor and remember their loved ones. The Miami County community came together in a spirit of celebration and support, sharing memories and reinforcing the organization’s mission of Celebrating Life’s Stories for those facing a life-limiting illness. ... Ohio’s Hospice confirmed that all proceeds from the event will directly benefit patient care in the community, ensuring that funds raised locally stay within the area they serve.

How Hospice of the Chesapeake is innovating bereavement care, family support Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 7/4/24 Maryland-based Hospice of the Chesapeake has been pursuing innovation in its bereavement and caregiver support programs. The nonprofit hospice and palliative care provider offers grief care to its entire community regardless of whether a family member was one of their patients. Out-of-pocket payments for those services are on a sliding scale. To expand its reach, Hospice of the Chesapeake works with organizations like schools, senior living communities and other community partners, according to Faith Fitzgerald, director of community support programs for the hospice.

Green Bay Packers Foundation awards $1.75 million in grants [$125k to Agrace Hospice Care Foundation] Philanthropy News Digest; 6/29/24 The Green Bay Packers Foundation has announced 10 grants totaling $1.75 million to support organizations serving Wisconsin’s Brown, Dane, and Milwaukee counties. Recipients include ... ; Agrace Hospice Care Foundation, which will receive $125,000 to expand dementia and Alzheimer’s services throughout Wisconsin; ... “The Packers Foundation is pleased to award a record amount in impact grants to 10 organizations doing critically important work in their communities,” said Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy. “From education, mentoring, and community building programs to providing care and support for our most vulnerable neighbors, the grant recipients will create direct and lasting impacts throughout the state of Wisconsin.”