Literature Review

VITAS® Healthcare breaks ground on new inpatient hospice center in Port St. Lucie's Tradition community PR Newswire, Port St. Luci, FL; Press Release; 4/22/26 As Florida's aging population continues to grow, increasing demand for inpatient hospice care, VITAS Healthcare, the nation's leading provider of end-of-life care, broke ground this week on a new inpatient hospice center in Port St. Lucie. Expected to open in 2027, the new 14,000-square-foot facility will expand access to comfort-focused inpatient hospice care for individuals whose symptoms can no longer be managed at home, ensuring more families can receive expert care close to Florida's Treasure Coast. 

Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties’ “A Legacy in Bloom” gala celebrates community and compassionate care with dignity focusmedia, Middletown, NY; Press Release; 4/22/26Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties’ annual A Legacy in Bloom Gala on April 18 at West Hills Country Club, brought together community leaders, healthcare partners, supporters and advocates to celebrate compassion, connection and the vital role of dignified hospice care in the region. ... Since 1988, Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties has provided compassionate end-of-life care to patients and families across the Hudson Valley.

Future-proofing care: the challenges we face in hospice and palliative care | part one Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 4/22/26In this special reverse-role episode, Chris Comeaux steps into the guest seat as Cordt Kassner leads a deep dive into one of the most comprehensive strategic frameworks developed for hospice and palliative care organizations which was developed by TCN and it’s members. In Part One of this forward-looking series, Chris unpacks the foundational challenges shaping the future of hospice and palliative care.  Drawing from nearly a decade of strategic research and collaboration with healthcare leaders, he introduces a powerful framework built around eight core challenges that every organization must navigate. From intensifying competition to shifting reimbursement models, this conversation equips leaders with a clearer lens to anticipate disruption and respond with intention.

Palliative care for immigrants with cancer in the United States: a roadmap to equitable care Journal of Pain and Symptom Management; by Jessica Zhuo BAc, Cheryl Tolomeo BAc, Anissa Kurani BA, Meaghan Burke BAc, Stephanie Wang BAc, Alice Feng BAc, Yueao Zhang MDc, Edward Christopher Dee MD, Christopher T. Su MD, MPH; 4/8/26 Across the United States, immigrants with cancer, especially those who are undocumented or from low-income backgrounds, encounter significant barriers to accessing quality palliative care. Despite cancer comprising over one-third of global palliative care needs, immigrant patients are often excluded from essential services due to lack of insurance, immigration status, limited English proficiency, and culturally discordant care models. ... This narrative review identifies both patient level and systemic barriers and offers a four-part roadmap to address them. 

Older adults and volunteerism: a vital social justice issue Nonprofit Quarterly; by Jan Masaoka; 4/20/26 In this series, The Unexpected Value of Volunteers, author Jan Masaoka takes on the underappreciated topic of volunteerism and provides some unexpected ideas about the role that volunteers can play in building nonprofit reach, impact, and capacity. ... Indeed, senior volunteerism exposes a deep problem with how organizations and society at large view older adults. Seniors are routinely cast as people to be helped instead of people who help.Editor's Note: This article names a quiet paradox especially relevant to hospice: older adults are often seen as recipients of care, yet they are essential to delivering it through volunteer service. When we treat volunteer roles as a Medicare requirement to fulfill, we risk missing the deeper truth. Older adult volunteers bring lived wisdom, presence, and purpose—helping us shape care in ways that truly matter.

What is a ‘green burial’? Plainfield Township is now offering them MLive, Palinfield Township, MI; by Danielle James; 4/14/26 Plainfield Township will soon allow “green burials” in its cemetery located at 6205 Packer Drive NE. The alternative method of burial has been described by some as more natural and environmentally conscious. Township leaders said when approving it, they also had to weigh the potential for additional complications. At a March meeting, Plainfield Township Board members signed off on a resolution that amended the cemetery ordinance to allow for green burials. On April 13, the board approved designated areas in the cemetery where the burials could take place. The alternative burials will still require township approval on a case-by-case basis.Editor's Note: We provide this in light of today's "Earth Day 2026" awareness and the growth of alternative burial processes. Related articles we have posted include:

Turning wishes into wonder - creating magic at home when dreams take a detour Hometown News, Treasure Coast, FL; by Mary Ann Ketcham; 4/19/26 Thanks to Treasure Coast Hospice, the dream of becoming princesses recently came true for 11-year-old Olivia and her younger sister Valerie. Olivia, a patient being cared for by Treasure Coast Hospice’s Little Treasures program, and her family were scheduled to set sail on a Disney Princess Cruise when unforeseen circumstances arose, resulting in them having to cancel the opportunity. Music Therapist Liz Lung learned of the heartbreaking news and gathered her Treasure Coast Hospice colleagues together to develop a plan to create a Princess Party Experience that would bring smiles and laughter to Olivia and her sister. 

Full committee hearing on protecting patients and taxpayers: cracking down on Medicare fraud United State House Committee on Ways & Means, Chairman Jason Smith; 4/21/26 The House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) held a hearing today [4/21] examining the prevalence of fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare and efforts to combat fraud to protect patients and taxpayers.Full Committee Hearing: April 21, 2026, 10:00AM ET

Alliance statement on the Ways & Means Hearing examining fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA; Press Release; 4/21/26 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) continues to support efforts by policymakers and regulators to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare program. On April 21, the House Committee on Ways and Means hosted a hearing titled “Protecting Patients and Taxpayers: Cracking Down on Medicare Fraud.” The harm experienced by victims of Medicare fraud cannot be overstated. Hospice care exists to provide dignity, comfort, and support at the end of life. When bad actors exploit this trusted system, they don’t just harm individual patients — they erode confidence in the Medicare hospice benefit as a whole. Receiving care at home is the preferred choice for care by many patients and families, and home health plays a vital role in providing skilled care that improves health outcomes and reduces hospitalizations.

End-of-life nurse's top things terminal patients wish they knew earlier: pearls of wisdom from people in their final days have been revealed Wales Online; by Samantha Leathers; 4/17/26 End-of-life care specialists at Marie Curie have revealed the most precious wisdom shared by dying patients in their final months, weeks and days, urging others to focus on what genuinely matters. Living in the moment, letting go of grudges and embracing life without fear were among their top recommendations. Multiple nurses and care assistants also revealed that among the most common regrets voiced was missing family gatherings due to work obligations. This ranks alongside worrying excessively about money, with numerous patients advising their loved ones to invest in memorable moments instead of saving for potential emergencies.

Medical ethics unpacked: clinical ethics consultation in practice Consultant LIve; by Dominic Sisti, PhD and Aliza Narva, JD, BSN, MS; 4/20/26 In this episode of Medical Ethics Unpacked, Dominic Sisti, PhD, a bioethicist from Penn Medicine, speaks with Aliza Narva, JD, BSN, MSN, director of ethics at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, about the practical realities of clinical ethics consultation. ... Common consult themes include end-of-life decision-making, surrogate disputes, and clinician moral distress. She emphasizes that ethics consultants are often called when clinicians feel constrained or uncertain about next steps.

FAIRHOPE Hospice & Palliative raises record amount at annual event Lancaster Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce, Lancaster, OH; Press Release; 4/16/26 FAIRHOPE Hospice & Palliative Care raised nearly $100,000 in donations from their annual FAIRHOPE Celebrates Life event, benefiting their Memorial Fund. This beloved downtown gathering honors the legacies of loved ones who were patients of FAIRHOPE. Award winners are recognized for representing the integrity and caring spirit of FAIRHOPE’s mission. The sold-out event was attended by many local business professionals, community members, as well as family and friends of former FAIRHOPE patients. 

On with the dance, let joy be unconfined is my motto, whether there’s any dance to dance; or any joy to unconfine. ~ Mark Twain