Literature Review

Women’s Club donates to local hospice care workers The Point/Plover Metro Wire, Portage County, WI; by Metro Wire Staff; 10/11/24 The GFWC-Stevens Point Women’s Club donated more than 60 caregiver baskets to Heartland Hospice in Stevens Point during its Oct. 10 meeting. The baskets were assembled by members to show gratitude for the care hospice workers provide to their patients. The GFWC-Stevens Point Women’s Club, founded in 1895, is part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), an international organization established in 1890 that focuses on community improvement through volunteer service.Editor's note: November's Hospice & Palliative Care Month is near. What community groups might want to provide simple, meaningful thank-you's to your hospice staff?

Hospice care home provides peaceful place for low-income or homeless to die Indiana Capital Chronicle; by Elise Shrock; 10/10/24 My neighborhood is full of wonderful places. Lovely places where people go to worship, to meet for meals, to do their errands, and, a lovely place to die. Let me explain. Tucked behind the busy near-north Keystone corridor is the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home, a no-cost home for terminally ill individuals who are low-income or homeless and would have no other home to go to during their last days or months of life. Operated by Morning Light, LLC, Abbie Hunt Bryce Home offers critical and compassionate services to Hoosiers in their final days. As the second largest residential hospice in the nation, our state is positioned to be a leader in providing compassionate end-of-life care. Not only is the Home a leader in size and scope, but all hospice residents stay free of charge, with no payment or insurance required. The Home is supported solely by community support and qualifies for Medicaid Waiver. ... [A case study follows with "Systemic challenges in Indiana." ...]

AMA Journal of Ethics: Educational resources in response to medical supplies lost to hurricaneEmail from AMA Journal of Ethics; 10/10/24Storm damage from hurricane Helene has forced a factory that makes medical supplies to shut down. The AMA Journal of Ethics offers the following educational resources:

A guide to creating a comforting hospice facility Cerebral Overload; by Kelly; 10/8/24 Hospice care is for patients nearing the end of their lives and wanting to do so in a comfortable, safe environment. This comfort is incredibly important, as it is integral to supporting patients’ physical and emotional needs during this time of uncertainty. If you are designing a hospice facility, here is a guide to creating a comforting space. The features we discuss will enhance the quality of care and ease the emotional journey of patients and their loved ones.

Hospice of Central PA President Gil Brown to retire Abel Personnel; by Rochelle Shenk; 10/9/24 After more than a decade of service at Hospice of Central PA, president Gil Brown will retire Dec. 31. According to a news release, Brown has been a driving force behind the organization’s growth, steering it through significant achievements and fostering strong relationships with health care partners and the community. Since joining Hospice of Central PA in 2014, Brown has led the organization through numerous milestones, including earning Joint Commission accreditation and securing a 5-star status in the We Honor Veterans program offered by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. ... “Working with Gil has been a truly inspiring experience,” said Hank Straub, HCP Board Member. “His unwavering commitment to compassionate care and his visionary leadership have not only shaped Hospice of Central PA, but also set a high standard for excellence. Gil’s ability to lead with both heart and strategic focus has made a lasting impact, and it has been an honor to collaborate with him in serving our community.” 

Ellen McGirt on supporting caregivers at work Great Place to Work; by Roula Amire with Ellen McGirt; 10/8/24 This episode of Better features journalist, speaker, and podcast host Ellen McGirt. In this deeply personal conversation, we dive into the challenges of caregiving while balancing a career.  ...On how managers can better support caregivers at work: Flexible time off, no questions asked. A flexible schedule can change everything for people. ...On the impact a senior leader can have by talking about caregiving and grief: If a very senior person triggers this conversation in the workplace with a disclosure or concern, you're going to see new training, new conversations, new talking points, and new volunteers, and maybe even new staff positions around this. ...On how colleagues can support coworkers who are caretakers, or members of the sandwich generation: Kindness and compassion go a long way. ...

SBL Hospice Binga raises record amount for endowment Cromwell Media; by SBL Hospice; 10/8/24 Sarah Bush Lincoln’s Hospice Binga event raised a record amount on September 3, netting more than $33,000 to support the Willow Breeze Hospice House Endowment. Since opening in January, Willow Breeze offers a beautiful home-like atmosphere where skilled care is provided to people in East Central and Southern Illinois to stay during their final days while also offering amenities for their families who visit. Earnings from the endowment help those with limited resources pay for their stay. 

'Trying not to cry:' Helene's wrath sets new normal in battered western North Carolina townCBS WBTW-13, Florence, SC; by Adrianna Lawrence; 10/8/24 Kyle Katona has lived through his share of hurricanes. But nothing could ready him for the wrath Helene unleashed across the idyllic valleys of western North Carolina. "I've never seen the amount of devastation that Hurricane Helene caused in the mountains," the Four Seasons hospice store driver said. He wasn't alone. "I don't think anybody was prepared for the level of catastrophe that was going to occur," said Rikki Hooper, Four Seasons' clinical operations officer. Traumatized residents awoke to the sound of water coursing into their homes before the sun came up -- taking everything and, in some heartbreaking instances, everyone, with it. "Nobody should have to go through this," said Polk County residents Pixie and Deena Moore said. Discolored tree lines 10 to 20 feet high in some places peppered the landscape amid rows of utility vehi cles and overturned cars caked in debris were stark reminders of Helene's total destruction. At Lake Lure -- a beloved vacation spot minutes from Chimney Rock -- mud stands in for where water once flowed. Instead, officials and first responders were providing medical treatment. Military helicopters flicked across the sky and bulldozers cleared out areas. If it sounds like a warzone, that's because it was as close as it could be to one, Pixie Moore said. Editor's note: Click here to donate directly to Four Seasons' hurricance relief needs; or Amazon Wish List. Click here for our 10/2 interview with TCN leaders with Four Seasons about Helene's devastation and hospice needs. 

West Des Moines teacher battling cancer hopes to inspire his community KCCI Des Moine, IA; by Nicole Tam; 10/4/24 Luke Miller's passion is teaching. Two and a half years ago, he faced the biggest test of his life. "I went into the doctor with a pain on my side," Miller said. An MRI showed tumors in his liver that spread from his colon. "I was told I might have a year to live and I would never have surgery," Miller said. He beat those odds but the battle continues. Through it all, nothing stopped him from doing what he loved. ... This fall, Miller stepped away from the classroom. Even as he goes through a hospice at EveryStep's Kavanagh House, the students are still with Mr. Miller. His room is filled with handwritten notes, pictures and reminders of hope. ... At Westridge Elementary School, starting from the outside as people are driving to school to the inside, there are signs of support for Miller including the digital message board and posters in the hallway. "We want to support the Millers, not only now but in the future as well. We want them to know we'll always be here for them because Luke was always here for us," Troy Ellerbroek, Westridge Elementary School teacher, said. 

Hosparus Health ranked fourth in nation for overall quality The News-Enterprise; 10/5/24 Hosparus Health has been ranked fourth in the nation for Overall Quality among the 50 largest hospices, according to a study published in the American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine. This ranking was determined based on key metrics: Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems caregiver survey scores, employee satisfaction ratings from Glassdoor and sentiment scores from Google reviews. David W. Cook, president and CEO of Hosparus Health, expressed his pride in the organization’s staff. “Your care, your compassion, it’s those on the front line of our care,” Cook said. “It’s thrilling to see the recognition of what you do here celebrated nationally.” Since 1978, Hosparus Health has been at the forefront of hospice and palliative care services, caring for thousands of patients across Kentucky and Indiana, the release said. Today, the nonprofit organization, which has offices in Elizabethtown, continues to provide expert care and holistic support to more than 14,000 patients and families annually, ensuring that each individual receives compassionate, high-quality care during life’s most challenging times.

Hospice patient revisits old hobby[North Mankato, MN] KEYC News Now; 10/2/24[TV story describing St. Croix Hospice's work taking a patient fishing in Waseca, MN.]

New Hampshire’s first hospice house marks 30 years of service to the community

Family matriarch crosses ocean swim off bucket list Star News Group, Manasquan, NJ; by Alex Dyer; 10/3/24 Dorothy Jean “Dot” Temple ventured into the rough surf, her arms supported by loved ones, her feet tickled by sea foam and soft sand. Wading in the ocean is an ordinary pleasure. But on this day, it was special for Temple and for everyone who came to watch her enjoy the water. At age 93, it’s no longer an easy task for Temple to indulge in her love of ocean swimming, an activity in which she had excelled for a majority of her life. ... Dot was recently admitted to the hospital, where the family was not “sure if she would survive the night.” Afterwards, she was put on hospice, where she was advised to cease her medication. “We were heartbroken at the prospect of possibly losing her, but in typical Nanny fashion…she is holding her own and is still doing great — all things considered,” said Gasetel. “A strong-headed woman, she has been very vocal that before she passes, she absolutely must go swimming in the ocean one more time; so that’s exactly what we did.”