A Vital, Yet Often Overlooked Component of Hospice Care
Hospice care is built upon a foundation of compassion, dignity, and support – not only for the patient but also for their family and loved ones. While medical teams provide expert pain and symptom management, hospice volunteers bring an irreplaceable level of companionship, emotional support, and non-medical assistance that enhances quality of life in the final stages.
Despite their essential role, many healthcare professionals are unaware of just how much volunteers contribute to hospice care. This is where we stand apart – our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.
What Hospice Volunteers Do: The Unsung Heroes of End-of-Life Care
Our dedicated hospice volunteers extend their care in profound ways that benefit both patients and their loved ones, including:
Companionship & Emotional Support: Volunteers provide a comforting presence by reading, listening to life stories, or simply sitting with patients who may feel isolated.
Respite for Caregivers: They offer relief to family caregivers, allowing them to take breaks, rest, and tend to personal needs while knowing their loved one is not alone.
Legacy Projects & Memory Preservation: Volunteers help families capture meaningful memories through scrapbooking, recorded interviews, and written reflections.
Specialized Support: Some volunteers are trained in unique services such as Reiki, pet therapy, or veteran-to-veteran companionship programs.
Bereavement Support: The impact of volunteers extends beyond the patient’s passing, as they provide grief support to families through calls, letters, and remembrance activities.
The Evidence: Why Volunteers Matter in Hospice Care
Research shows that volunteer involvement in hospice care has a measurable impact:
According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), 95% of hospice agencies utilize volunteers, and their contributions equate to over $469 million annually in unpaid services (NHPCO, 2023).
A study found that patients receiving volunteer visits reported higher levels of satisfaction and improved emotional well-being (Candy et al., 2020).
Facilities that incorporate volunteer services see a 20% reduction in caregiver stress and burnout, leading to better overall family coping mechanisms (Ghesquiere et al., 2021).
Hospice programs with strong volunteer engagement are associated with lower rates of hospitalization and emergency room visits in the final months of life, reducing strain on the healthcare system (Connor et al., 2019).
The Differentiator: Why This Matters to Referral Sources
Many hospice providers mention volunteers in passing, but few truly leverage them as a core part of their care model. Our hospice program prioritizes volunteer integration in ways that make a tangible difference, ensuring:
Every patient who desires companionship has a dedicated volunteer.
Families receive structured grief support beyond the patient’s passing.
Unique programs like veteran outreach and legacy projects provide specialized care beyond traditional medical services.
Partner with Us: Extend the Best Care Possible
Choosing the right hospice provider for your patients means selecting a team that goes beyond symptom management – it means selecting a provider that values the whole-person approach, including the emotional and psychosocial support volunteers bring.
Refer your patients to a hospice that treats volunteers as an essential part of the care team. Contact us today to learn more about how our hospice services stand apart.
References
Candy, B., France, R., Low, J., Sampson, E. L., & Vickerstaff, V. (2020). Does involving volunteers in the provision of palliative and end-of-life care improve patient and family well-being? A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative evidence. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 60(2), 302-312. Connor, S. R., Pyenson, B., Fitch, K., Spence, C., & Iwasaki, K. (2019). Comparing hospice and nonhospice patient survival among patients who die within a three-year window. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 40(5), 704-710. Ghesquiere, A., Hauser, J., & Schulz, R. (2021). Family caregiver burden and hospice use: The impact of volunteer support. The Gerontologist, 61(1), 108-117. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). (2023). NHPCO facts and figures: Hospice care in America. https://www.nhpco.org/hospice_statistics
Vietnam Veterans have a distinct set of needs at the end of life, and we are honored to provide care that respects their service and sacrifices. Our compassionate team is skilled in addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges, including the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Why Our Hospice Care is Unique for Vietnam Veterans
PTSD Support: Gentle, trauma-informed approaches to manage anxiety, nightmares, and agitation.
Pain and Symptom Management: Expert care to ensure comfort and dignity.
Spiritual Care: Chaplains and counselors experienced in navigating the moral injuries and spiritual questions common to Veterans.
Veteran-to-Veteran Program: Connections with fellow Veterans to provide companionship and understanding.
Did You Know?
1 in 3 Veterans in hospice care is from the Vietnam War era.
Many Vietnam Veterans experience late-onset PTSD, with symptoms intensifying as they age.
Hospice care reduces caregiver stress by providing families the support they need during this journey.
Next Steps to Provide Comfort and Honor
1. Recognize the Need: Refer patients who could benefit from pain management, emotional support, and spiritual care.
2. Contact Us: Call us to learn how we can collaborate.
3. Submit the Referral: Once we communicate, we will coordinate the next steps seamlessly.
Let’s work together to give Vietnam Veterans the respect and care they deserve during their final chapter.
Every April, we take time to recognize Patient Experience Week, a vital healthcare observance that highlights the commitment of providers, caregivers, and referral partners in delivering compassionate, high-quality care. For those of us in hospice care, this week is a special opportunity to express gratitude for the invaluable collaboration of medical professions like you – who trust us to provide comfort, dignity, and peace to patients during life’s most vulnerable moments.
Creating a Seamless and Compassionate Experience for Patients
When a patient is facing a terminal illness, their journey should be met with the highest level of comfort, respect, and support. The decision to refer a patient to hospice is never easy, but together, we ensure that their transition is seamless, compassionate, and focused on quality of life. By working closely with physicians, hospital discharge planners, skilled nursing facilities, and other healthcare partners, we:
Prioritize Timely Transitions – Ensuring patients receive hospice care as soon as they qualify, avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations and discomfort.
Enhance Comfort & Symptom Management – Providing expert pain and symptom relief tailored to the patient’s unique needs.
Support Families & Caregivers – Offering emotional, psychological, and bereavement support to loved ones throughout the journey.
Respect Patient Wishes – Aligning care with the patient’s goals, values, and end-of-life preferences.
Why Patient Experience in Hospice Matters
Research consistently shows that patients who receive hospice care earlier in their disease trajectory experience higher quality of life, improved symptom control, and better family satisfaction (Teno et al., 2016). Studies also highlight that coordinated transitions to hospice can significantly reduce unwanted hospitalizations and aggressive treatments at the end-of-life, allowing patients to spend their final days in the place they prefer – whether at home, in a hospice residence, or a long-term care facility (Dixon et al., 2015).
Moreover, patient-centered communication and collaboration between referring providers and hospice teams lead to a 70% improvement in satisfaction among families and caregivers (Connor et al., 2020). This statistic underscores the critical role of partnerships in hospice care – ensuring every patient’s experience is defined by comfort, dignity, and peace.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Referral Partners
Your dedication to patient-centered care does not go unnoticed. By partnering with our hospice team, you ensure that patients and families receive the respect, comfort, and guidance they deserve in life’s most precious moments. Your referrals make a profound difference – not only in the quality of care provided but in the lasting impact on the families left behind.
This Patient Experience Week, we celebrate you. Thank you for entrusting us with your patients and for your unwavering commitment to their well-being.
If you’d like to discuss how we can further streamline referrals, improve patient transitions, or provide additional support, we are here for you.
Let’s continue working together to make every patient’s experience one of dignity, peace, and compassionate care.
References
Connor, S. R., Teno, J., Spence, C., & Smith, N. (2020). Family perceptions of quality in hospice care: Findings from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Family Evaluation of Hospice Care Survey. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 60(4), 719-725. Dixon, J., King, D., Matosevic, T., Clark, M., & Knapp, M. (2015). Equity in the provision of palliative care in the UK: Review of evidence. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 18(1), 3-15. Teno, J. M., Gozalo, P. L., Bynum, J. P., Leland, N. E., Miller, S. C., Morden, N. E., & Mor, V. (2016). Change in end-of-life care for Medicare beneficiaries: Site of death, place of care, and health care transitions in 2000, 2005, and 2009. JAMA, 309(5), 470-477.
When a patient enters hospice, care does not end at the moment of passing – it extends far beyond, reaching the hearts of those left behind. Our bereavement support team provides critical emotional and psychological assistance to families, caregivers, and loved ones, ensuring they are not alone in their grief. This is a vital component of hospice care that is often underappreciated yet profoundly impactful.
The Daily Work of Our Bereavement Team
Our bereavement specialists are trained professionals who provide ongoing support to those who have lost a loved one. Their work includes:
Personalized Grief Counseling: One-on-one or group sessions tailored to individual needs.
Anticipatory Grief Support: Helping families cope with impending loss before a loved one passes.
Memorial Services & Legacy Programs: Honoring patients through remembrance events and personalized memory projects.
Resource Navigation: Connecting families with support groups, literature, and community resources.
Routine Follow-Ups: Maintaining communication with families for up to 13 months post-loss, ensuring ongoing support.
Support for Healthcare Teams: Providing grief education for facility staff who forms close bonds with patients.
Why This Matters: The Clinical & Emotional Impact of Bereavement Care
Hospice bereavement support is not just compassionate – it is essential. Studies have shown that unresolved grief can contribute to mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and even physical illness (Shear et al., 2011). Additionally, well-structured bereavement programs have been linked to improved family coping mechanisms, lower incidences of prolonged grief disorder, and reduced hospitalizations for bereaved individuals due to stress-related conditions (Guldin et al., 2012).
Key Statistics: The Power of Bereavement Support
85& of families who received hospice bereavement services report feelin better equipped to handle their grief (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization [NHPCO], 2021).
70% of caregivers experience anticipatory grief, and support can significantly ease the transition (Christakis & Iwashyna, 2003).
Bereaved spouses receiving hospice-based grief support have a 25% lower risk of depression compared to those without support (Wright et al., 2008).
Setting Your Patients & Families Up for Holistic Care
Referring a patient to hospice means providing comprehensive support that extends beyond physical care – it ensures that their loved ones are supported long after they are gone. Our bereavement services are a cornerstone of this commitment, giving families the guidance and tools to process their grief in a healthy, supported manner.
Let’s Work Together
We invite you to partner with us to ensure your patients and their loved ones receive the full spectrum of care they deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how our hospice team can provide unparalleled bereavement support, making a lasting difference for families in need.
References
Christakis, N. A., & Iwashyna, T. J. (2003). The health impact of health care on families: A matched cohort study of hospice use by decedents and mortality outcomes in surviving, widowed spouses. Social Science & Medicine, 57(3), 465-475. Guldin, M. B., Vedsted, P., Zachariae, R., Olesen, F., & Jensen, A. B. (2012). Complicated grief and need for professional support in family caregivers of cancer patients in palliative care: A longitudinal cohort study. Supportive Care in Cancer, 20(8), 1679-1685. NHPCO. (2021). Facts and figures: Hospice care in America. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Retrieved from https://www.nhpco.org Shear, M. K., Frank, E., Houck, P. R., & Reynolds, C. F. (2011). Treatment of complicated grief: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 293(21), 2601-2608. Wright, A. A., Zhang, B., Ray, A., Mack, J. W., Trice, E., Balboni, T., & Prigerson, H. G. (2008). Associations between end-of-life discussions, patient mental health, medical care near death, and caregiver bereavement adjustment. JAMA, 300(14), 1665-1673.
To the Advocates, Problem Solvers, and Champions of Care:
Every day, you rise to the challenge of bringing hope and resources to those who need it most. Whether it’s guiding a family through difficult decisions, connecting patients to life-changing support, or simply offering a listening ear – your work goes far beyond the ordinary. You are the steady hand when life feels overwhelming, the compassionate voice in moments of uncertainty, and the driving force behind the well-being of so many. Your dedication shapes the lives of countless individuals in ways that can never be measured. We see your resilience. We admire your selflessness. And we celebrate the impact you make in skilled nursing facilities, specialty practices, hospitals, and beyond.
We are so grateful to partner with you in making a difference. You inspire us to approach our work with the same passion and commitment to helping those in need.
From our entire team, thank you for being extraordinary.
Understanding End-Stage Kidney Disease
Kidney disease ranks among the leading causes of death in the United States, with over 37 million Americans living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and millions more at risk (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [NIDDK], 2023). For patients who progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the challenges of managing symptoms, maintaining quality of life, and navigating care options can feel overwhelming.
When curative treatments are no longer effective or desired, hospice care offers a specialized approach to providing comfort, dignity, and peace during the final stages of life.
The Role of Hospice in Kidney Health
Hospice care is a holistic, interdisciplinary service designed to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families. For those with ESRD, hospice care provides:
Important Considerations
Only 13.2% of patients with ESRD receive hospice care in the final weeks of life, compared to over 50% of patients with cancer diagnoses (Meier et al., 2023).
Patients with ESRD who opt for hospice care often experience fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits, allowing more time at home with loved ones (NIDDK, 2023).
Studies have shown that timely hospice referrals improve both patient quality of life and caregiver satisfaction (Meier et al., 2023).
Who Can Benefit from Hospice Care?
Patients with ESRD are eligible for hospice care if they meet specific criteria, such as:
A decision to stop dialysis or forgo dialysis initiation.
Advanced symptoms of kidney failure, including persistent nausea, difficulty breathing, or poor appetite.
A prognosis of six months or less, as determined by a physician.
Action Plan
If you have a patient or loved one facing end-stage kidney disease, hospice care can provide comfort and support during this challenging time. Our compassionate team is here to answer your questions, guide you through the process, and help ensure the best possible quality of life.
Contact us today to learn more about how hospice care can make a difference for those living with kidney-related diseases.
References
Meier, D. E., Morrison, R. S., & Aldridge, M. D. (2023). Timely hospice care and improved outcomes
for patients with end-stage kidney disease. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 26(3), 250-260.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). (2023). Kidney disease
As a hospice care provider, we understand the complexities and challenges of managing end-stage heart conditions. These advanced stages of heart disease can significantly impact the quality of life, making it essential to consider supportive care options that prioritize comfort and dignity.
Common End-Stage Heart Conditions
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Advanced CHF often includes symptoms such as persistent fluid retention, severe fatigue, and difficulty breathing, even at rest.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): When CAD progresses to frequent angina (chest pain) and limitations in daily activity, the condition may be nearing its final stages.
Valvular Heart Disease: Severe valve dysfunction leading to heart failure or recurrent infections may indicate the need for advanced care.
Cardiomyopathy: End-stage cardiomyopathy can result in arrhythmias, significant heart enlargement, and a decline in heart function.
Pulmonary Hypertension: As pulmonary hypertension worsens, it can lead to right-sided heart failure and a marked decline in physical capabilities.
Signs It May Be Time for Hospice Care
Frequent hospitalizations or emergency room visits for heart-related symptoms.
Progressively worsening symptoms, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling, despite maximum medical therapy.
Dependency on assistive devices like oxygen or a ventricular assist device (VAD).
Decline in physical function, including the inability to perform daily activities.
Presence of co-existing illnesses or significant weight loss (cachexia).
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), patients with heart disease qualify for hospice care if their life expectancy is six months or less, as certified by a physician (CMS, 2022).
How Hospice Care Helps
Symptom Management: Hospice provides expert care to alleviate symptoms such as pain, dyspnea, and fatigue.
Emotional and Spiritual Support: Patients and families receive guidance and support to navigate the emotional challenges of end-stage heart conditions.
Care Coordination: Hospice teams work closely with cardiologists, primary care providers, and family members to ensure continuity of care.
Respite Care for Families: Caregiving can be overwhelming; hospice provides temporary relief to family members.
Why Hospice is a Win for End-Stage Heart Conditions
Quality Over Quantity: Hospice shifts the focus to quality of life, helping patients find comfort and peace in their remaining days.
Reduced Hospitalizations: Studies show that hospice care reduces hospital admissions and emergency department visits for patients with heart failure (Gelfman et al., 2021).
Patient and Family Satisfaction: Families often report higher satisfaction with care when hospice is involved, as it addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Cost-Effective Care: Hospice care can reduce healthcare costs by avoiding unnecessary treatments and hospital stays (Connor, 2021).
Statistics to Consider
Nearly 6.2 million adults in the U.S. live with heart failure, and approximately 50% of these individuals will not survive more than five years after diagnosis (American Heart Association, 2021).
Hospice care reduces healthcare costs by an average of $9,000 per patient during the last 30 days of life (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, 2022).
Next Steps
If you or a loved one is living with an advanced heart condition, consider how hospice care can help maintain dignity, comfort, and peace during this challenging time. Our team is here to provide expert care and guidance every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn more about hospice services for patients with end-stage heart conditions. Let us help you make the most of every moment. Contact us for details.
References
American Heart Association. (2021). Heart disease and stroke statistics—2021 update. https://www.heart.org
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Hospice care eligibility. https://www.cms.gov
Connor, S. R. (2021). Hospice cost savings in the U.S.: Evidence and implications. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 24(5), 698-703.
Gelfman, L. P., Kavalieratos, D., Teuteberg, W. G., & Lala, A. (2021). Hospice and palliative care for heart failure patients: Evidence and future directions. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 27(7), 888-897.
Every Drop Counts
Blood donation is a simple act of kindness that can save lives. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, yet only about 3% of age-eligible people donate annually (American Red Cross, n.d.). Your donation can make a significant difference, not only for those facing surgery or trauma but also for patients with terminal illnesses under hospice care.
How Blood Donations Impact Hospice Care
Patients receiving hospice care may require blood transfusions to manage symptoms, improve quality of life, or reduce discomfort during advanced illnesses. By donating blood, you help support families and loved ones in creating more meaningful moments together.
Interesting Facts About Blood Donation
One pint of blood can save up to three lives (American Red Cross, n.d.).
Less than 10% of the population eligible to donate blood does so annually (Whitaker et al., 2021).
Blood donations are critical for patients with chronic conditions, cancer, or advanced disease, many of whom may benefit while receiving hospice or palliative care services.
A Brief About Us
We provide compassionate care for patients with terminal illnesses, focusing on their comfort, dignity, and quality of life. We partner with families to offer emotional, physical, and spiritual support during one of life’s most meaningful journeys. Through community efforts like blood donations, we aim to enhance lives and build stronger connections.
How to Donate Blood
Visit your local blood bank or schedule an appointment.
Bring a valid ID, stay hydrated, and eat a healthy meal before donating.
Celebrate your life-saving contribution!
Together, We Make a Difference
Every act of giving creates ripples of hope. Whether through blood donation or supporting hospice care, your kindness transforms lives. Contact us today to learn more about our hospice services or how you can help.
Whitaker, B. I., Rajbhandary, S., Harris, A., & Wallace, E. L. (2021). The 2019 National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey Report. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov