Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Hospice Provider News.”
Dallas nonprofit plans first hospice house for people experiencing homelessness
10/09/25 at 03:00 AMDallas nonprofit plans first hospice house for people experiencing homelessness NBC DFW-5, Dallas, TX; by David Goins; 10/7/25 ... Tucked along a quiet, tree-lined street just east of downtown Dallas sits a historic property that will soon house a new concept for North Texas — a hospice house designed to provide end-of-life care in a safe, supportive environment for those living unsheltered. Chris Culack, CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas, said the organization’s mission has long centered on supporting vulnerable populations. The group currently provides meals for homebound neighbors in Dallas, Denton and Rockwall counties, as well as in-home hospice care in 16 counties statewide.
Study: PE-owned hospices have highest profits, lowest spending on direct patient care
10/09/25 at 02:00 AMStudy: PE-owned hospices have highest profits, lowest spending on direct patient care McKnights Home Care; by Liza Berger; 10/8/25 Compared to publicly traded company-owned and other for-profit hospices, private equity (PE)-owned hospices reported the highest profits and lowest spending on direct patient care and nonsalary administrative services, a study published Tuesday in Health Affairs revealed. The study, which used 2022 Medicare cost reports, compared revenue and expense data across four hospice ownership models: PE-owned, publicly traded company-owned, other for- profit, and not-for-profit. The sample consisted of 2,989 freestanding hospices ... [Across] the board, not-for-profits spend about 20% more on direct patient care services than other for-profits. And that seems to be driven by a pretty big difference in nurse salaries, which to us implies that staffing tends to be better at or at least more robust at not-for-profits. ... A body of research has found that for-profit hospice ownership, including private equity, is associated with poorer quality, higher rates of complaints, a higher number of live discharges, and a higher hospitalization rate compared with not-for-profit ownership.
Pine Tree Hospice celebrates 40th anniversary at Peaks Kenny State Park
10/08/25 at 03:00 AMPine Tree Hospice celebrates 40th anniversary at Peaks Kenny State Park The Piscataquis Observer, Bangor, ME; by Staff, Piscataquis Observer; 10/6/25 Sixty-plus volunteers and their family members gathered on Saturday, Sept. 20 to celebrate Pine Tree Hospice’s 40 years of providing free care and comfort to families in the greater Piscataquis County community. ... Executive Director Kristen Wortman credits the group’s longevity to the devotion of its volunteers to serving isolated and often house-bound neighbors in their communities, caregivers and those grieving the loss of a loved one. Pine Tree Hospice continues to focus on neighbors helping neighbors. Services are free and provided to clients without medical referral.Editor's Note: Congratulations to this out-of-the-box, rural, "non-medical" hospice that saw end-of-life care needs and found creative "neighbors-helping-neighbors" ways to meet them. Put this into context of 1985, in an ongoing rural environment at the uppermost northeast corner of the U.S., long before Medicare became the norm.
Stillwater Hospice begins providing services in Steuben County
10/08/25 at 02:00 AMStillwater Hospice begins providing services in Steuben County inkFreeNews, Steuben County, IN; News Release; 10/6/25 Fort Wayne-based Stillwater Hospice began providing services in Steuben County, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, extending its coverage area to 13 counties. Stillwater is now the only nonprofit hospice provider based in the region, offering in-home and facility-based care for patients in residential homes, assisted living facilities and nursing communities. ... Stillwater Hospice, founded in 1888, operates a 14-bed hospice home and maintains partnerships with regional hospitals, including Cameron Hospital in Angola. The move north aims to increase access to end-of-life and palliative care for rural Hoosiers.
St. Croix Hospice expands access to care with new locations
10/07/25 at 03:00 AMSt. Croix Hospice expands access to care with new locations Investors Hangout; by Evelyn Baker; 10/6/25 St. Croix Hospice is dedicated to enhancing the quality of end-of-life care, and they have taken a significant step forward by opening four new branches across the Midwest. This initiative not only increases their reach but also improves access to compassionate care and support for families during challenging times. The four new locations are strategically placed in communities that can greatly benefit from additional hospice services. Each new branch is situated in:
Hospice East Bay completes Chapters Health West affiliation
10/07/25 at 02:00 AMHospice East Bay completes Chapters Health West affiliation Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/6/25 California-based Hospice East Bay has completed its affiliation with Chapters Health System. The hospice now becomes part of Chapters Health West, an extension of Florida-based Chapters’ footprint into Nevada, California and Oregon. Chapters Health West came into being with the affiliation of four hospices with Chapters, including Nathan Adelson, California-based Hospice of Santa Cruz County and Hospice East Bay and Willamette Vital Health.
Honoring the lives and legacies of hospice leaders - September 2025
10/06/25 at 03:00 AMHonoring the lives and legacies of hospice leaders - September 2025
'I spent 36 years holding dying patients' hands'
10/06/25 at 03:00 AM'I spent 36 years holding dying patients' hands' BBC News, Ireland; by Grace Shaw; 10/5/25 For hospice nurse Trish Carling, holding a dying patient's hand through the dark hours of the night was a privilege to share. The 66-year-old has just retired after 36 years working in palliative care at St Michael's Hospice in Harrogate. Her first shift was in November 1989, and she has worked almost every Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve since. Despite the demands of the job, she originally chose the pathway because it worked around family life when her children were young. "At first I found the night shifts practical - they then became my preferred hours," she said. ... [Continue reading]Editor's Note: In what ways do you honor your longtime employees? How do you tell their stories of passionate compassion? Of loyalty to your core mission through changing times and operational practices? So many of these valued employees began in a pre-digital era. Imagine: before cell phones, the internet, websites, electronic employee files, EMR systems, and so much more. Crucial employee data can get lost especially during organizational name changes, Mergers & Acquistions, or a short-term leave of absence. Let this article be a catalyst for you to research and honor your employees with long tenures. Without their faithful foundations, your work today would not be the same.
Good Samaritan announces transition of hospice services
10/06/25 at 03:00 AMGood Samaritan announces transition of hospice services Good Samaritan, Vincennes, IN; Press Release by Good Samaritan; 10/3/25 Good Samaritan [in Vincennes, Indiana] has announced the difficult decision to close its hospice program effective December 31, 2025. The decision, made by the hospital’s Executive Team and Board of Governors, follows a careful evaluation of health care trends and reflects Good Samaritan’s commitment to responsible stewardship and long-term sustainability. “Since its beginning, our hospice team has provided extraordinary, compassionate care to patients and families across our region,” said Rob McLin, CEO of Good Samaritan. “We hold deep respect for that legacy and are committed to supporting our patients, families, and hospice team throughout this transition.”
Sought-after physician specialty roles are taking longer to fill
10/03/25 at 03:00 AMSought-after physician specialty roles are taking longer to fill Modern Healthcare; by Tim Broderick; 9/24/25 The time it took to fill open positions for the most sought-after physician specialties increased to almost five months in 2024, according to new research. The nonprofit Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment, with research firm Industry Insights, examined 2024 data from more than 15,000 searches of the association’s site, 61% of which were related to physician searches. ... The analysis found the estimated median days to fill the selected jobs increased by 11.5%, to 145 days in 2024 from 130 days in 2023. Oncology positions were the hardest to fill, at an estimated median of 332 days. Cardiology positions followed with an estimated median of 248 days to fill. [Access to the full article might be limited per a paywall.] Editor's Note: Oncology and cardiology are now the two hardest physician specialties to fill. This matters for hospice care because, according to NHPCO’s Facts and Figures 2024, cancer and circulatory diseases join Alzheimer’s and other nervous system disorders as the top three hospice diagnoses—together representing nearly three-fourths of all admissions. Delays in recruiting oncologists and cardiologists risk postponing timely palliative and hospice referrals. Newly hired specialists in these fields also need focused training—and intentional relationship-building with hospice teams—to ensure patients and families receive seamless, compassionate care.
Chico nurses at Enloe Health to hold rally to protest closure of home health and hospice units
10/03/25 at 03:00 AMChico nurses at Enloe Health to hold rally to protest closure of home health and hospice units National Nurses United; Press Release by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United; 10/1/25 ... Nurses are calling on the hospital to protect the health of some of Chico’s most vulnerable patients and maintain the essential services and end-of-life care provided by these units. “For years, Enloe hospice stood alone in providing care for underserved Medi-Cal patients and for our youngest, most fragile patients—children at the end of life,” said Ruby Khoury, registered nurse in the hospice unit. “A vital, compassionate service is being taken away, and a hospital that once led with dignity and inclusivity in hospice care now faces a painful void. We nurses demand that the home health and hospice units remain open. Otherwise, the most vulnerable will suffer first: children, Medi-Cal patients, families without resources.”
Visiting Nurse Association rejects Cape Cod Healthcare's latest contract proposal
10/03/25 at 03:00 AMVisiting Nurse Association rejects Cape Cod Healthcare's latest contract proposal Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, MA; by Desiree Nikfardjam; 10/2/25 Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod registered nurses have voted "overwhelmingly" to reject Cape Cod Healthcare's contract offer that was proposed on Sept. 11, according to a press release. The offer was the "last, best, and final" from Cape Cod Healthcare, according to the statement. The nurse association members are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association. ... The Visiting Nurse Association's nurses provide essential home health and hospice care to patients across Cape Cod and the Islands and had previously voted 96% in favor of authorizing a three-day strike if progress at the bargaining table was not made.
End-of-life outcomes and staff visits for hospice recipients residing in assisted living
10/01/25 at 03:00 AMEnd-of-life outcomes and staff visits for hospice recipients residing in assisted living Journal of the American Medical Directors Association; by Wenhan Guo, Shubing Cai, Yue Li, Brian E McGarry, Thomas V Caprio, Helena Temkin-Greener; 9/26/25 Objectives: ... We hypothesized that more frequent staff visits and specific regulatory provisions would be associated with improved EOL outcomes. ... Conclusions and implications: Hospice staffing intensity, especially clinical visits, appears to be associated with EOL outcomes for AL residents. AL state regulations are also associated with hospice quality. These findings underscore the role of both organizational practices and regulatory policy in shaping hospice experiences in AL settings.
Danbury hospice gets $2 million to expand care for children with life-limiting illnesses
10/01/25 at 03:00 AMDanbury hospice gets $2 million to expand care for children with life-limiting illnesses Shelton Herald, Bridgeport, CT; by Cris Villalonga-Vivoni; 9/30/25 A Danbury-based nonprofit hospice center is receiving $2 million in state funding to expand its pediatric care services and help more families access specialized end-of-life care. Founded in 1983, Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut is the only nonprofit hospice in the state providing hospice care to children under 21 with life-threatening conditions. However, its capacity remains limited amid rising demand. In 2020, there were an estimated 7,800 children in Connecticut with complex medical conditions that limit their life expectancy and could benefit from palliative and hospice care, according to the National Survey of Children’s Health.
Hospice of Santa Barbara’s No One Dies Alone Program ensures that those who are alone and actively dying, have someone at their bedside
10/01/25 at 03:00 AMHospice of Santa Barbara’s No One Dies Alone Program ensures that those who are alone and actively dying, have someone at their bedside Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara, CA; by Hospice of Santa Barbara; 9/29/25Hospice of Santa Barbara’s (HSB) No One Dies Alone (NODA) program has partnered with local senior living facilities in Santa Barbara for over a decade, providing compassionate volunteer support to seniors in their final 24 to 72 hours when family or friends are unavailable. Currently, NODA has 21 trained volunteers serving in the program. Before becoming a NODA volunteer, applicants must graduate from a six-week patient care training and serve as a patient care volunteer for a minimum of 9 months before attending a NODA specific training. Most NODA volunteers have been with the program for years and feel a strong commitment to the work they do.
Melinda Mullet: Hospice helps us die well. But barriers and misconceptions prevent access to services.
09/30/25 at 03:00 AMMelinda Mullet: Hospice helps us die well. But barriers and misconceptions prevent access to services. The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA; by Melinda Mullet; 9/28/25 Hospice helps us die well. But barriers and misconceptions prevent access to services. ... To read an in-depth analysis of the barriers to hospice and the steps needed to ensure a robust end-of-life care in the future, my full report, “The Hope of Hospice: Reimaging End-of-Life Care in an Aging America,” is available at cpjustice.org/flipbook/2025-hatfield-prize-reports.
Hospice of the Chesapeake’s popular Golf Tournament raises more than $210K
09/30/25 at 03:00 AMHospice of the Chesapeake’s popular Golf Tournament raises more than $210K Hospice of the Chesapeake; Press Release; 9/29/25 Thanks to an impressive lineup of sponsors, the dedication of volunteers and the hundreds of golfers who came out to play, Hospice of the Chesapeake’s annual Golf Tournament was another great success. The event raised more than $210,000 in support of the nonprofit’s mission to care for families in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and Prince George’s counties. Held Sept. 25 at Queenstown Harbor Golf Course, the day was filled with good cheer, delicious food and generous hospitality ... This success would not have been possible without the businesses, organizations and individuals in the community who stepped up as sponsors, ... This event helps families experience moments of joy, dignity and connection at one of life’s hardest times.
10 top areas for growth, per health system CEOs and CFOs
09/30/25 at 03:00 AM10 top areas for growth, per health system CEOs and CFOs Becker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 9/25/25 As healthcare continues to face financial pressures, workforce shortages, and rising patient expectations, health system executives are reimagining their strategies for growth. In a series of connections with C-suite leaders across the country, 10 themes surfaced again and again ... Here are the 10 most frequently cited growth areas, and how they shape the future of healthcare.
Heart to Heart Hospice expands service in Southern Indiana
09/29/25 at 03:00 AMHeart to Heart Hospice expands service in Southern Indiana The LaGrange Daily News, Plano, TX; by PR Newswire; 9/25/25 Heart to Heart Hospice, one of the country's largest private providers of hospice care, has expanded its service area in southern Indiana with the recent opening of a new location in Corydon to meet needs in six additional counties. The new site is now serving patients and families residing in the counties of Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Scott, and Washington.
Virtual visits boost hospice home care services across Dallas-Fort Worth area
09/29/25 at 03:00 AMVirtual visits boost hospice home care services across Dallas-Fort Worth area The Smithfield Times, Aubrey, TX; Press Services; 9/26/25 Sovereign Hospice in Aubrey, TX, explains how telehealth and virtual visits help patients and families get hospice home care services faster. In the Dallas–Fort Worth area, these tools let nurses and doctors check patients quickly and answer questions without delay. Families far away can also join care meetings by video, making them part of the journey and improving understanding of the services the hospice offers.
Shepherd’s Cove helps students cope with loss
09/29/25 at 03:00 AMShepherd’s Cove helps students cope with loss Messenger, Gadsden, AL; by Karla McArthur; 9/25/25 ... “When people think of Shepherd’s Cove, they think of a hospice facility, which is accurate but not the complete picture,” Smothers said. “They don’t necessarily connect the grief support with the hospice services.” The nonprofit’s hospice facility serves nine counties, but its in-school bereavement program currently reaches only four. Portions of Etowah County are included, allowing counselors to support students at several schools, including West End, Duck Springs, Highland, Sardis-area campuses and Attalla City schools. Smothers said the goal is to expand as more staff are added. A team of four social workers provides monthly counseling for students in grades K-12 who have experienced a loss. The loss does not have to be recent. “We operate under the precept that grief doesn’t have a timeline,” Smothers said.
New AAHPM CEO on ensuring widespread access to hospice and palliative care
09/26/25 at 03:15 AMNew AAHPM CEO on ensuring widespread access to hospice and palliative care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 9/25/25 Workforce, access to care, reimbursement and public policy are top agenda items for the A merican Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine as new CEO Pierre M. Désy takes the reins. ... Hospice News sat down with Désy to discuss the academy’s current priorities and the top issues facing hospice and palliative medicine. ... [Jim Parker] "Could you tell me some of your top priorities as you come into this new role?" [Dr. Pierre Désy] I have been focusing on listening and alignment. So the first part is a listening tour and relationship building tour, where I’m talking with every board member, one on one. I’m talking with committee chairs, council chairs. I’m speaking with all of our partners, every staff person, sponsors and individual donors.
Hospice of Amador and Calaveras raises over $66,000 at 26th annual “Celebrate Life” Art Auction on the Lawn
09/26/25 at 03:00 AMHospice of Amador and Calaveras raises over $66,000 at 26th annual “Celebrate Life” Art Auction on the Lawn Ledger.news, Jackson, CA; Press Release; 9/25/25 Hospice of Amador and Calaveras proudly announces the success of its 26th annual “Celebrate Life” Art Auction on the Lawn, which brought together community members, artists, donors, and supporters for an evening of generosity and celebration. Thanks to the incredible support of the community, the event raised over $66,000 to help provide compassionate, quality end-of-life care to patients and families in Amador and Calaveras Counties. “This event is a beautiful reminder of what can be accomplished when a community comes together for a cause,” said Samantha Lukow, Executive Director of Hospice of Amador and Calaveras.
Avow recognizes World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
09/26/25 at 02:00 AMAvow recognizes World Hospice and Palliative Care Day Priority Marketing; Press Release; 9/25/25 Avow joins organizations around the globe in observing World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on Saturday, Oct. 11, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the critical role hospice and palliative care play in supporting patients and families facing serious illness. Editor's Note: For information to honor hits at your organization, visit our 7/15/25 post, World Hospice & Palliative Care Day 2025 - Achieving the Promise: Universal access to palliative care
Hundreds of veterans to be honored at Summit Park during welcome home celebration
09/25/25 at 03:00 AMHundreds of veterans to be honored at Summit Park during welcome home celebration ABC WCPO-9, Blue Ash, OH; by Taylor Woods; 9/24/25Hospice of Cincinnati is hosting its fourth annual welcome home celebration for veterans at Summit Park, honoring their service and sacrifice with special tributes. Meet Karl Matson, a retired Air Force veteran who now enjoys taking long walks at the park. ... "It's incredibly powerful to see the country honoring veterans today, especially for the Vietnam War veterans, they came back in during a tough time," Matson said. He is a hospice volunteer. According to Hospice of Cincinnati, one out of four hospice patients are veterans. Matson said it's important to recognize their sacrifices. Tributes will be given to veterans of each era, honoring those who are still around and those who are no longer with us.