Literature Review

5 things every leader can learn from Pope Francis  Inc., by Suzanne Lucas; 4/21/25 He led the world’s largest organization with humility and a willingness to engage with different groups and hear different viewpoints. ...  [Pope Francis' death marks] the end of a papacy that influenced far more than just the Catholic Church. In his 12 years as pope, he led with a style that offers enduring leadership lessons for anyone in a position of authority, especially in business. ... While I’m not Catholic, I have followed his work in the 12 years he’s served as pope, and there are plenty of things you can learn about his leadership of the Catholic Church and apply in your life and business.

April’s ending, and so is my motivation to do spring cleaning. ~ Anonymous

[Australia] New cuddle bed installed at Harden Hospital to support end-of-life care Forbes Advocate; 4/20/25 Harden Hospital’s acute ward has received a new ‘cuddle bed’ thanks to the Murrumburrah-Harden Hospital Auxiliary branch, which recently funded the purchase to support patients and their families during palliative care. ... The cuddle bed was a staff-suggested purchase, designed to provide comfort and dignity in end-of-life situations. The bed can electronically expand from a standard single to a double size at the push of a button. It allows family members to lie beside their loved one during their final moments, eliminating the need to sit upright in a chair or attempt to share a single bed. 

[Canada] Hospice placements provide nursing students new perspectives BarrieToday.com; by Marg Bruineman; 4/26/24 As Georgian College works toward having its first graduating class in its bachelor of science in nursing (BScN) degree program next year, students are moving into practical placements in health care. Among them is a new opportunity to explore opportunities in hospice and end-of-life care – a field that continues to develop to meet the needs of an aging population. ... The response from the hospice community, she says, was encouraging. Georgian now has agreements with all nine hospices in the Simcoe-Muskoka-York area that were approached, including hospices in Vaughan and Richmond Hill. The students work onsite for 72 hours over three weeks allowing them to immerse themselves into the setting.

Experiences of hospice staff beyond the frontlines during COVID-19: A qualitative secondary analysis study Journal of Palliative Care and Social Practice; by Thanga Harini Sundaramoorthy, John I MacArtney, Abi Eccles; 4/12/25Three main themes were identified: (1) Blurred margins: Participants discussed facing difficulty separating work and home life and taking stresses and thoughts about work home. (2) Isolation, loneliness and social interactions ...  (3) Disruption to family and personal commitments: Some staff felt unable to see or support their parents, partners and children during the pandemic subsequently impacting their psychological and emotional well-being. Conclusion: Hospice staff compromised aspects of their personal life and family responsibilities during the pandemic to carry out their role at work. Workplaces and organisations should aim to support hospice staff more broadly to help with managing work-related pressures and balancing personal commitments in future emergency periods.Editor's note: Use this evidence-based research with your Emergency Disaster Preparedness Plans. Click here for the CMS.gov Emergency Preparedness Rule. Click here for Wisconsin's CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule Toolkit: Hospices.

Trends, patterns, and key comparisons related to new Medicare Hospice Provider Enrollments may indicate the need for further oversight HHS Office of Inspector General; 4/29/25 Federal requirements state that hospices must be certified by CMS and be licensed as required by State and local law. Medicare also requires that hospices meet its Conditions of Participation to receive payment. Our objective is to identify trends, patterns, and key comparisons that indicate potential vulnerabilities related to new Medicare hospice provider enrollments. The data brief may help CMS evaluate the need for additional monitoring and program integrity efforts to ensure that hospices meet all the requirements. ... 

Video: California firefighter ‘Living the best of these last months’ on hospice care VITAS Healthcare, Irvine, CA; Press Release; 4/28/25 “Hospice is not something that means death right away. It means health and happiness,” said Debbie Forrester, spouse and patient caregiver for former firefighter Jim Forrester of Orange County, California. In a new video, launched during Patient Experience Week, VITAS® Healthcare shares the story of a patient with terminal cancer whose life was dramatically impacted by the help of his hospice care team. Within a week of being cared for by the interdisciplinary team at VITAS, Mr. Forrester, who had been depressed and was unable to walk, began enjoying time with his grandchildren and even riding his bike again.

Why are we so afraid to talk about our own death? Deseret News; by Holly Richardson; 4/21/25 We are more than comfortable with true-crime and first-person shooter games, but a lot of us do not want to talk about our own mortality. ... ... A whopping 84% of the U.S. population over age 13 ... consumes true crime media, according to Edison Research. It’s the most common topic among top-ranked podcasts. First-person shooter video games are the most popular genre. ... So why is it so hard to talk about our own mortality? Maybe we think we can live forever. ... A survey done last year explored reasons why people are uncomfortable talking about death. The top reason given (37%) was that people did not want to upset others, and the second (34%) was that it is too depressing to think about. About one in five say they’ll “cross that bridge when they come to it” or that they are afraid of dying. Ten percent are afraid that talking about death will somehow make it more likely to happen.Editor's note: While this data gives insights into communication with patients and families, Advance Directives, and community outreach, I find myself reflecting those of us who have chosen palliative, hospice, and/or grief care as our vocations. Do we protect ourselves from facing our own mortality by staying in "helper" roles, and avoiding our own human vulnerabilities? What conversations have you had with your family? What Advance Directives and legal plans do you have in place (or not)? 

Hospice volunteers and their four-legged best friends Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, IN; by Alison Eckert, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator; 4/20/25 ... As the demand for pet therapy services for hospice patients has increased over the years, we have expanded our team of volunteers. We now have 13 volunteers with certified therapy dogs who visit hospice patients at the Parkview Hospital Randallia Supportive Care Unit, Parkview Regional Medical Center, nursing and assisted living facilities, and some patients receiving hospice care in their homes throughout Northeast Indiana. ... [Description of standard volunteer requirements.] ... For those interested in becoming a pet therapy volunteer with Parkview Hospice, the process includes a few more steps. In addition to the training mentioned above, all animals must be certified pet therapy dogs, insured, and up-to-date on vaccinations. 

Bristol Hospice expands, rebrands palliative care program Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 4/25/25 Bristol Hospice has expanded and rebranded its palliative care program amid rising demand for these services. The hospice provider on Wednesday launched the Bristol Palliative Care program, designed to support seriously ill patients with chronic or life-limiting conditions. Formerly the Advanced Illness Management (AIM) program, the rebranding reflects the hospice’s enhanced patient-centered services and sprawling geographic footprint.

Wings of remembrance: NorthBay butterfly release memorial focuses on healing hearts The Reporter, Fairfield, CA; by Robin Miller; 4/26/25Under a sky painted in soft gray, the air a cool 60-degres, families and friends gathered quietly Saturday morning for a moment both tender and powerful. They had come to NorthBay Health Hospice & Bereavement memorial butterfly release — an event born from love, loss, and the enduring process of healing. ... Before the release, Darren Paulson, a hospice chaplain with Kaiser Permanente, stepped forward to speak. ... “Each of you came here with someone,” he said, “a companion you didn’t ask for and didn’t want: grief.” He spoke of a culture uncomfortable with sorrow, one that urges us to hide our tears and move on too quickly. But grief, he reminded them, doesn’t follow a schedule.

Late influencer Dominique McShain’s husband Sean pays tribute to her after death at 21AOL.com; by Emily Zogbi; 4/27/25Sean Suson, husband of late influencer Dominique McShain, is paying tribute to his late wife. “Our love can never be replicated nor erased, you will forever be a part of me, ...” Suson wrote via Instagram on Saturday, April 26. ...  People confirmed on Wednesday, April 23, that McShain had died at the age of 21 following a battle with colon cancer. In May 2024, she shared in a TikTok her diagnosis of an incurable colorectal cancer that had metastasized to her liver. ... Earlier this month, McShain delivered the sad news to her followers on social media ... “I want to be direct with you all: this will be my final update on my cancer journey until I have passed away,” McShain wrote via Instagram on April 6. “I’ve recently been given a prognosis about 5 days ago of only a few days to a few weeks to live. ... She added that she had “transitioned into end-of-life care, focusing on pain relief and managing side effects.” ... "My life may be short but I genuinely think I’ve squeezed every bit out of it,” McShain wrote.