Literature Review

Delaware Hospice to move to scattered bed model at Saint Francis in Jan. Delaware Live; by Jarek Rutz; 12/19/24 Just two months after celebrating its 100-year anniversary, Wilmington’s Saint Francis Hospital is making a logistical shift for its hospice patients. This week, Delaware Hospice announced it will shift its Saint Francis-based operations from a centralized In-Patient Unit (IPU) to a scattered bed model.  The move is to increase both patient and hospital flexibility as well as create more financial and operational efficiency. A scattered bed model involves distributing General Inpatient (GIP) Hospice Care across various rooms within the hospital rather than maintaining a centralized unit. Closing the IPU means Delaware Hospice continues to live its mission of providing compassionate, expert care without the costs of maintaining a centralized unit. 

An innovative take on transforming hospice spaces with Buildner for better well-being Arch Daily; 12/19/24 Buildner has announced the results of its Hospice - Home for the Terminally Ill competition, the third in a series of architectural idea challenges focused on creating compassionate spaces for individuals facing terminal illnesses. This competition encouraged architects to move beyond traditional medical models, designing environments that prioritize comfort, dignity, and community. Participants were tasked with envisioning a facility for up to 15 visitors and five staff members, incorporating essential spaces such as a library-equipped common area, gathering room, chapel, kitchen, dining area, nurse's station, and therapy room for psychological support. Designs were grounded in theoretical sites within participants' home countries, allowing for the integration of local cultural, social, and environmental contexts. The competition highlighted how innovative, thoughtful design can provide solace and strength during life's most difficult moments. ...

VITAS Healthcare unveils inpatient hospice unit at Lee Memorial Hospital South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report, fort Myers, FL; by cfelixcpa; 12/16/24 Residents of Lee County now have access to dedicated end-of-life care at the new VITAS Healthcare Inpatient Hospice Unit at Lee Memorial Hospital, offering expert, patient-centered hospice services in the comfort of a homelike setting. This inpatient unit (IPU) is the only hospital-based hospice facility in the county and is the first VITAS IPU in Lee County and second in Southwest Florida. It is expected to serve more than 400 patients annually. ... The VITAS hospice unit at Lee Memorial features eight private patient rooms with internet access, flatscreen TVs, private bathrooms and overnight accommodations for loved ones. A shared family room provides space for visiting guests, and children’s activities keep little ones occupied.

No one dies alone: Developing a comfort care home for unhoused, isolated, and vulnerable individualsJournal of Palliative Medicine; Holly Klein, Steven Radwany, Barbara Palmisano, Cole Thompson; 12/24This report highlights the development of Grace House Akron, Inc. (GHA) a comfort care home focused on caring for terminally ill individuals who are unhoused, isolated, without caregivers, economically disadvantaged and face end of life alone. GHA is a free-standing home that provides safe housing, a nurturing environment, and round-the-clock personal care while local hospice agencies provide medical management. Successful strategies and lessons learned from creation of the GHA organization in 2016 to the opening in 2022 and operating of the home for 24 months, are discussed. These strategies include: (1) Build strong executive leadership in partnership with a broadly skilled and connected board; (2) Develop a comprehensive and flexible business plan; (3) Identify state licensure regulations and physical facility requirements; (4) Engage foundations, donors, and the local community early and often; (5) Utilize volunteers as an essential part of the team; and (6) Listen to and learn from each resident while identifying their unique needs.

Alliance Insurance collecting snacks for hospice homes The Mount Airy News; 12/11/24 Alliance Insurance Services is collecting snacks for Mountain Valley’s in-patient hospice homes located in Dobson and Yadkinville until Monday, Dec. 23. “I know how valuable it is to our community to have a hospice home, and we want these families to have everything they need while staying there with a loved one,” said Christopher Cook, owner of Alliance Insurance Services. “We need to give back to our community, especially during the holiday season, and this is a good way to do that.” “Both hospice homes have special rooms where family members of patients can take a break, or even fix a meal for themselves,” said Melissa Hiatt, executive director of United Fund of Surry. “Stocking their pantry will mean so much to each family.” [List of items needed.]Editor's note: Hospice leaders, you still have time to replicate this, especially in time for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Remember to include kosher items for Jewish patients and families, as Hanukkah 2024 starts on December 25 and ends on January 2.

Carolina Caring Robin Johnson House welcomes new patient in aftermath of Hurricane Helene Hickory Daily Record, Hickory, NC and Carolina Caring; by Carolina Caring; 11/27/24 A hospice patient seeking immediate safety after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene received vital care thanks to the newly established partnership between CaroMont Health and Carolina Caring. ...  Among those affected was 84-year-old Grace, a hospice patient requiring critical medications and oxygen. She was airlifted from her hometown of Burnsville, NC, to temporary shelter at the Catawba Valley Community College Tarlton Complex in Hickory, NC. In dire need, Catawba County Emergency Medical Services reached out to Carolina Caring for assistance, as Grace was rapidly depleting her medication and oxygen supplies. Within 48 hours of the initial call, Grace was successfully transferred to hospice care at the Carolina Caring Robin Johnson House. Though she felt anxious upon her arrival, Grace was comforted by the attentive support of Carolina Caring staff. When asked about the quality of care that she received, Grace described her experience as “wonderful.” “I don’t like being away from home even when I’m sick,” she shared. “... I felt wanted and loved. If I could say anything to the nurses, it’s that I love and appreciate what they’ve done.” This accommodation was made possible by a recent partnership established between CaroMont Health and Carolina Caring. On October 1st, CaroMont Health and Carolina Caring launched a strategic partnership, with Gaston Hospice now operating under the name Carolina Caring. ...

HRRMC Foundation transfers $1.6 million to HRRMC for construction of the Delnay Guest House Ark Valley Voice; by Carly Winchell; 11/26/24 Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) released a statement announcing a $1.6 million transfer from the HRRMC Foundation to HRRMC to help finance the construciton of the Delnay Guest House. According to the release, HRRMC credits the transfer to a donation: “Thanks to a generous $1.5 million donation from the Robert and Bernice Delnay Estate, and to contributions made by the community, HRRMC Foundation transferred $1.6 million to HRRMC for the construction costs of the Delnay Guest House .” The guest house is located on the HRRMC campus. It includes ten units. Four are designated for overnight charitable accommodation to support HRRMC outpatients receiving treatments at the hospital, their families, and caregivers of HRRMC patients. Some patients and caregivers live 30 miles or more from Salida. Hospice families traveling to Salida to support local hospice patients may also stay in these units. 

Valley Health's 'hospice in hospital' program expands to another hospital Becker's Hospital Review; by Mariah Taylor; 11/19/24 Hospice in the Hospital, a collaboration between Winchester, Va.-based Valley Health and Winchester-based Blue Ridge Hospice, has expanded to Warren Memorial Hospital in Front Royal, Va. The Hospice in the Hospital program provides hospice care services to hospitalized patients who meet general inpatient hospice criteria, according to a Nov. 18 news release. The patients receive emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual care from a team of social workers, music therapists, chaplains and volunteers. The program originated at Winchester Medical Center in 2020 and expanded to two additional Valley Health hospitals earlier this year. With its launch at Warren Memorial, all of Valley Health System's hospitals in Virginia now incorporate the Hospice in the Hospital program. 

EverHeart Hospice celebrates expanded care center Daily Advocate, Greenville, OH; 11/15/24 EverHeart Hospice is thrilled to announce the grand opening of their newly expanded Care Center, coinciding with the celebration of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. This significant milestone marks a new chapter in our commitment to providing compassionate care to patients and families experiencing life-limiting illnesses. The grand opening event ... was a resounding success, bringing together community members, healthcare professionals, and local dignitaries. Attendees had the opportunity to tour the new space, which featured enhanced patient rooms, advanced medical equipment, and comfortable family areas designed to create a serene and supportive environment, and to learn more about collaborative healthcare services. These events aim to educate the public about the comprehensive services offered by EverHeart Hospice and the positive impact they have on patients’ lives.

Aroostook Hospice Foundation achieves $150,000 matching grant campaign goal The County, Presque Isle, ME; 11/13/24 The Aroostook Hospice Foundation is thrilled to announce the success of its recent Matching Grant Campaign, which raised an astounding $150,000 for the Aroostook House of Comfort. This achievement was made possible through the community’s generosity and a $75,000 match pledged by an anonymous donor. Launched in June, the campaign quickly gained momentum, with individuals and organizations coming together to meet the matching goal. These funds will directly support the Foundation’s mission to provide compassionate, inpatient hospice care when patient needs exceed what home hospice care can offer. Established in 2009 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Aroostook Hospice Foundation was created to establish and sustain an inpatient hospice facility for the region. After years of dedicated fundraising and  community support, the Aroostook House of Comfort opened its doors in 2018, becoming one of only four inpatient hospice facilities in Maine. Since then, it has delivered quality end-of-life care to approximately 1,000 individuals and their caregivers in partnership with Northern Light Home Care & Hospice, a Medicare-certified hospice provider. Together, they ensure patients receive comfort, dignity and compassionate support on one’s journey through  hospice, serving both the patient and their caregivers.  

Creating death box eases stress, brings 'peace of mind' to those left behind BradfordToday.ca, Canada; by Andrew Philips; 10/26/24 Creating a death box might sound like sort of a morbid thing to do, but it’s vitally important. That’s according to Tammy Vaters, supportive care coordinator at Hospice Huronia-Tomkins House, ... who leads upcoming workshops on creating a death box or a “legacy box or final wishes box” for those uncomfortable with the more succinct terminology ["death box"]. ... Besides end-of-life wishes, Vaters says the box can include photos that someone would like displayed at a celebration of life or similar offering along with personalized letters to family and friends and personal mementos that have special meaning. “It gives you more opportunities of expressing how you feel about somebody,” she says, noting the boxes should also contain usernames and passwords that may aid one's loved ones after death. “They can be more thoughtful and personal.” Vaters, who is a specialist in thanatology (the study of death, dying and bereavement), says people will often use another term for death. 

CCH, foundation working together again to look at possibility of reopening Hospice House Gillette News Record, Gillette, WY; by News Record Staff; 10/24/24 Campbell County Health and the Northeast Wyoming Community Health Foundation are back at the table again to explore the feasibility of reopening the Close to Home Hospice House. According to press releases sent out Wednesday from both groups, this initiative aims to enhance inpatient hospice services by reopening a home that facilitates end-of-life support, providing a compassionate space for individuals to receive care with dignity. “We are considering this in partnership with a third-party operator,  which will be discussed and decided upon collaboratively,” the press releases read. “Our primary focus is the well-being of our community, and we are committed to transparency as we engage in these preliminary discussions."