Literature Review

Heritage Hospice spreads smiles with ‘Scattering Kindness’ project The Advocate-Messenger, Danville, KY; 10/17/25 Heritage Hospice, Inc. volunteers spread cheer across four counties recently through a community outreach effort called “Scattering Kindness,” which delivers handmade seasonal crafts and treats to local nursing homes and assisted living residents. The project, coordinated by Heritage Hospice Volunteer Services, began earlier this year with the idea of using creativity as a way to bring comfort and connection to patients in care facilities. The first celebration took place in February, when volunteers marked Valentine’s Day with heart-themed gifts — setting the tone for what would become an ongoing series of seasonal outreach events.

From mom-care to action: Identifying the crises in eldercare Minnesota Women's Press; by Amy Gage; 10/15/25 “I didn’t set out to write a book,” author Judy Karofsky said. ... “My mom was my inspiration.” ... DisElderly Conduct: The Flawed Business of Assisted Living and Hospice (New Village Press, 2025) ... began as a notebook of jokes and one-liners that her mom would toss off during their time together. A one-time amateur comedienne, Lillian Deutsch “was an amazing personality,” Karofsky says. DisElderly Conduct walks readers through Karofsky’s journey through six assisted living facilities and eventual hospice care before her mother’s death in 2018. Several themes emerge in the well-researched book:

Chesapeake Supportive Care and Southern Maryland House Calls partner to expand access to in-home palliative care in Calvert County Southern Maryland News Net, Chesapeake, MD; 10/16/25 Chesapeake Supportive Care (CSC), the palliative care arm of Hospice of the Chesapeake, is excited to announce a new partnership with Southern Maryland House Calls (SMHC), a trusted leader in home-based geriatric care, to enhance access to palliative care services for residents of Calvert County. ... “Southern Maryland House Calls has been an exceptional partner in caring for our shared patients,” Becky Miller, President and CEO of Hospice of the Chesapeake, said. “Together, we’re building on that relationship to help more people access the kind of care that truly improves quality of life.”

The power of generous leadership with Joe Davis Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); video/podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Joe Davis; 10/15/25What if the fastest path to performance is generosity? Not perks or slogans—real generosity: giving of yourself to help others grow to their full potential. In our latest Anatomy of Leadership, Chris Comeaux sits down with Joe Davis—former BCG North America Chair and author of The Generous Leader—to unpack how collaboration, vulnerability, and disciplined listening can transform teams and create Effective Leadership. They also discuss Joe's journey in leadership and the concept of Generous Leadership. Joe shares personal stories and insights from his career, emphasizing the power of collaboration and the impact of small acts of kindness.

Celebrating the Guernsey Center for Caring groundbreaking in Arlington, VA ABC 7, Arlington, VA; by Good Morning Washington; 10/13/25 Diane and David Guernsey, longtime community supporters and advocates for hospice care, joined Capital Caring Health to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Guernsey Center for Caring in Arlington, Virginia. Their generous gift made the renovation possible, helping expand access to compassionate, nonprofit hospice care across the region. 

Inside the hospice that feels like home: How Omega House catches those who fall through the cracks ABC KTRK-13, Houston, TX; by Brittaney Wilmore; 10/13/25 Retired teacher Eleanor Munger opened Omega House in 1986 in Montrose, pioneering care for dying HIV/AIDs patients. ... Sonny and Neil, and perhaps the laughter they bring, are all part of the key ingredients that make up Omega House, a mainstay in Montrose complete with a living room and garden that you might not immediately realize is a hospice. ... But making it feel like home means it's functioning just as founder Eleanor Munger intended it. "She was a retired Montessori school teacher, so she had no medical background whatsoever. She was 74 years old, and she just felt like this was something that people need - a really loving, caring environment," said Omega House director Sandy Stacy.

Hog Town donates $6,000 to United Hospice Service Aspire Rural Health System, ; 10/8/25 Following the 20th annual Hog Town Run, members of Hog Town Inc. presented United Hospice Service (UHS) of Aspire Rural Health System with a generous donation of $6,000. Held on August 9, the event drew participation from motorcyclists across Michigan who gathered in support of a worthy cause. This year, 155 registered bikes joined the run, helping to continue a tradition of giving that has spanned nearly two decades. With this year’s contribution, Hog Town Inc. has donated more than $224,500 to the hospice program since the event’s inception. ... UHS is a non-profit hospice serving Sanilac, Lapeer, Huron, Tuscola, and St. Clair counties [Michigan].

‘Lack of urgency’ a top cause of hospice admissions delays, industry consultants say McKnight Home Care; by Adam Healy; 10/9/25 Hospices’ delays in admitting patients can bog down operations and stifle growth. To avoid holdups, providers should act with urgency and prioritize outside-the-box thinking, industry consultants at Transcend Strategy Group recommended. ... Transcend Strategy Group recently released a new insights guide titled “Driving Sales and Admissions Success in Hospice Care.” The guide reveals hospice providers’ top reasons for admissions delays, the problems caused by these delays, and the strategies providers can use to clear bottlenecks. The insights guide noted that admissions delays are problematic for both providers and their clients. ... Hospices should get creative to solve admissions problems, Transcend’s experts agreed. Rather than look for a tool or technology to help speed up operations, look internally to identify practices that prevent care from being delivered, they said.

Tri Cities Chaplaincy in Kennewick undergoes $3M+ remodel Fox11-41, Kennewick, WA; by Eli Kern; 10/9/25 The Tri Cities Chaplaincy is undergoing a significant remodel, with a budget of more than $3 million. The hospice center, which has been serving the community since the early 1990s, is getting a much-needed upgrade. Laurie Jackson, CEO of Tri Cities Chaplaincy, shared her gratitude for the community’s continuous support. “We could not have built this in the first place were it not for community partnerships,” said Jackson. The hospice center has been providing care for 30 years, offering families a chance to be present with their loved ones rather than acting as caregivers. Jackson expressed appreciation for individuals like Tom Halazon, the former executive director who played a crucial role in the original project back in 1993. 

Seasons Hospice hosts commemoration as it closes hospice house, forges ahead with in-home care KTTC, Rochester, MN; by Caitlin Alexander; 10/10/25 Local nonprofit organization Seasons Hospice hosted a somber but significant moment on Friday as it commemorated its hospice house. After more than 25 years, Seasons Hospice is closing the doors of the hospice house, as it now shifts its focus to serving patients and families with in-home hospice care. “I had a hard time at first accepting that and getting beyond it, but I did,” one of the founders, Sarah Oehlke, said. “I’m very grateful that you have sustained our quality-of-care standards for all of the years.” “We have together provided comfort, dignity and compassion to countless families during life’s most poignant moments,” Board President Dawn Beck said. ... Seasons Hospice previously spoke about a declining census at the hospice house, especially in recent years, noting the shift toward people wishing to spend their final days in their homes with loved ones.Editor's Note: This Seasons Hospice is in Rochester, Minnesota; not to be confused with other hospice organizations throughout the nation with "seasons" in its name. They gave their hospice house both a "good life" and "a good death." We draw attention to the shift they described "toward people wishing to spend their final days in their homes with loved ones," and will continue to be on the lookout for similar trends. To quote from an ancient poet, "To everything there is a season ..." We wish Seasons Hospice well through its continued transitions.

Conspiracy of verticals:  Rethinking healthcare models with Peter Benjamin Teleios collaborative Network (TCN); video/podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Peter Benjamin; 10/8/25 In this conversation, Peter Benjamin and Chris Comeaux discuss the impact of COVID-19 on mortality rates, particularly the concept of 'death pull forward' and its implications for Hospice Care. Peter highlights the significant role of assisted living facilities in Hospice days and explores macro trends in healthcare, emphasizing the shift from vertical to horizontal care models. The discussion also covers the evolution of Palliative Care, frail elderly practices, and institutional special needs plans (iSNPs), while stressing the importance of measuring quality of care, particularly in pain management. 

[Canada] Hot Rods for Hospice raises $34,744.59 Penticton Herald, British Columbia, Canada; by Michael Bennett; 10/6/25 The third annual East Kent Hot Rods for Hospice, unofficially, set records for vehicles, donations, and attendees as well. More than 330 classic cars and trucks were parked on the grounds of the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, and an estimated 4,000 people enjoyed the attractions at the Saturday, Sept. 20, event, which was put on by the Ridge Runners East Kent Car Club. ... But most importantly, participants, attendees and sponsors raised  $34,744.59 for the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation. ... The total donation to the Hospice over the three years is $96,524.15.