Literature Review

Medscape: Long COVID has caused thousands of US deaths: New CDC dataMedscape Medical News, by Lisa Rapaport; 1/3/24While COVID has now claimed more than 1 million lives in the United States alone, these aren't the only fatalities caused at least in part by the virus. A small but growing number of Americans are surviving acute infections only to succumb months later to the lingering health problems caused by long COVID. ... At least 4600 Americans have died from long COVID since the start of the pandemic, according to new estimates from the CDC.

Stepping forward to enhance end-of-life careLaker Lutz News, by Mary Rathman; 1/2/23Gulfside Hospice, a leading provider of compassionate health care services, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its newest venture — a state-of-the-art Gulfside Hospice Care Center — on Dec. 8, on the future grounds of the center.

Corporations award $20K in grants to make hospice care accessible in Texarkana areaTexarkana Gazette; 1/1/24A local nonprofit has received $20,000 in grants to make end-of-life care accessible. Tyson Foods, Weyerhaeuser and Union Pacific recently awarded the funding to Hospice of Texarkana's Diversity & Inclusive Care Project. The project is a comprehensive educational and awareness program to address demographic disparities in hospice and palliative care in Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas. It includes staffing, training, and community outreach.

Hospice of Care receives general support grantHouston Herald; 12/27/23Hospice Foundation of the Ozarks has awarded $10,000 to Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation to support TCMH Hospice of Care.

Tidewell Foundation’s Longboat building no longer listed for saleSarasota Observer; 12/28/23The Tidewell Foundation and Empath Health aren’t leaving Longboat Key any time soon. Recently, the organization’s Longboat Key building was listed for sale by Ian Black Real Estate for $3.1 million. But that was an error, according to new information from Empath Health Chief Mission Access Officer Rhonda Sanders-Allamon. The listing is no longer active. Sanders-Allamon said the idea of selling the property has been discussed by the executive board, but nothing was officially voted on.

Amedisys Finds Answer Key in Medalogix PulsePRNewswire, 12/28/23Nashville, TN—Medalogix, the leading data science and clinical decision support company specializing in the advancement of patient care in home health, hospice, and strategic payor initiatives in the home, and Amedisys, a leading provider of home health, hospice and high-acuity care in the home, announced an expanded partnership with the implementation of Medalogix Pulse for Home Health patients.

Bank Employees Go Above and Beyond—Donations Exceed $100,000 in 2023PRNewswireDecember 28, 2023Lake City, FL—First Federal Bank is pleased to announce the success of its 2023 First Federal Way campaign, which received contributions of $50,430 from employees. With the bank’s match, a total of $100,900 is being donated to local non-profit agencies who make a significant difference in their communities. 

Non-profit hospice group uses thrift store to help fund their servicesWMAZ-TV (Macon, GA)December 27, 2023Warner-Robins, GA—This thrift store might sell a variety of goods, but the proceeds help terminally ill patients get the end-of-life services they need. Sheila Redding is the store manager for the Heart of Georgia Hospice thrift store. She enjoys the opportunity to give back. Since 2021, the thrift store has provided more than $80,000 for hospice services. 

Community Foundation Event Raises Funds for HospicePhoto CaptionKCII-AM (Washington, IA)December 26, 2023Washington, IA—The Community Foundation of Washington County shared proceeds raised with the Dessert Auction at their recent Chef Spotlight Fundraising Dinner with Hospice of Washington County. CFWC board members presented a check in the amount of $5,125 to Katrina Altenhofen, Hospice Director. 

Hospice receives giftThe Journal (Martinsburg, WV)December 26, 2023Martinsburg, WV—Maria Lorensen, development director of Hospice of the Panhandle; Patrick Broderick, trustee; Mark Jordan, senior vide; Matt Butts, surgeon; Bob Affeldt, trustee; Linda Snidemiller, Ladies Auxiliary president; Pete Faith, junior vice; Steve Luthardt, quartermaster; and Art Schur, commander of the VFW Post 4019. The VFW presented Hospice with a $10,000 gift right before the holidays in gratitude for the agency’s care for veterans.

10 Hospice Professionals Complete Innovative Professional ProgramEye on AnnapolisDecember 24, 2023Two social workers, three chaplains and five registered nurses are being celebrated for completing an innovative professional program pioneered by Hospice of the Chesapeake. The Clinical Ladder program, launched in early 2023, recognizes team members for their clinical expertise, professional and educational achievements, and contributions to the hospice team as well as the full organization. 

La Marque man engineered iconic Tree of LightsGalveston (TX) Daily News, 12/23/23Hospice Care Team’s Tree of Lights has illuminated the island’s holiday skyline from atop The Daily News’ building for more than 30 years, but the story of how it came to be often isn’t explored. Back in 1989, Hospice Care Team, a nonprofit that provides hospice services without regard to client’s ability to pay, was looking to establish a fundraiser and came up with the idea of creating a Tree of Lights, on which donors could purchase bulbs to honor someone’s life. Great idea, but how to accomplish that? Enter Stanley Duitscher, who owned D Engineers Inc. in La Marque. ... “We had to be able to lower the tree when it’s not in service,” Duitscher, 91, recalled this week. “So, I incorporated a boat lift with a cable to raise it and lower it.” The tree is pretty much a ship’s mast with strands of lights draped off the top in the shape of a pine tree. The tree also had to be designed so that it would lie flat when not being used, so as not to be damaged by storms or even struck by lightning. His daughter, Minda Scherer, said his design fee was probably pretty reasonable. “He thinks he did it for charity, because he can’t find an invoice for the work,” she said.