Kindful Health’s Post

If you’ve ever lost someone close or been touched by hospice care, you know how precious those final months can be. Hospice isn’t just about saying goodbye; it’s about embracing the time left, sharing stories, and creating lasting memories. We recently had the privilege of helping the Bennett family document Eleanor’s story, transforming their final months together into moments of deep connection and discovery. Through shared memories, laughter, and heartfelt conversations, this process turned what could have been a time of sorrow into something unexpectedly meaningful. If you’ve been touched by loss or hospice care and want to make those final months truly memorable for another family, consider sponsoring a Life Story project in a loved one’s name. Your support can shape what those months look like for a family facing one of life’s hardest moments. https://lnkd.in/gQMZeZdW #LifeStory #FamilyLegacy #HospiceCare #CherishedMemories

THE NEED FOR COMPASSIONATE CARE WITHIN HOSPICE . . . A GIVEN. The fact that the professionals who work in hospice feel the need to reiterate the obvious explains a lot. It demonstrates how the hijacking of hospice by the ignoble and the professional investors has slowly siphoned from what made hospice an always predictable staple of excellent end-of-life care. Once, the logo on every billboard for Hospice Advantage SCREAMED: CARE, COMFORT, and COMPASSION FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. But it was a charade. A decoy. A lovely mirage until you got close . . . inside its true mission. Mendacious propaganda. Once the private-equity deal was inked, they operated like the Wizard of Emerald City—cloaked in duplicity and egocentrism. Their vision . . . laser-focused on the generation of wealth. They did not care about the concerns our staff had voiced in patient surveys. Hospice consumers need to be a assured that the hospice they select has their loved one’s dying experience as the primary goal. Yes, one of care, comfort, and COMPASSION. Hospice Advantage was the company I worked for starting in 2010. It was purchased by Sentinel Capital Partners in 2012 and then those investors sold Hospice Advantage in 2015 to Formation Equity Partners and The Audux Group who owned Compassus Hospice. THEN AGAIN, that equity group sold to Towerbrook Capital Partners and the non-profit Ascension Hospital System and its for-profit hospice in 2019. It’s confusing. But this is what is occurring behind the seductive for-profit hospice billboards. Compassion gets lost in the cross hairs. Millions exchanged hands for the investor-owners of those three hospice companies between 2012 and 2019. Incidentally, I can vouch first-hand that Hospice Advantage was NOT a “leading-edge company” of hospice care once PE took over. The clinical teams that I had initially worked with were stellar. None of us ever dreamed that we were working for a private-equity firm. It never occurred to us that we weren’t all pulling in the same direction—for the best resources and the comfort of our patients. If patients aren’t the eminent stakeholders, it’s not hospice care. It’s a financial enterprise. The largest private-equity buy-out of hospices in history was in 2023 by Pro Medica (advertised as “nonprofit”). I recommend not utilizing hospice services of investor-owned companies. Their trail of mergers and acquisitions exposes the true mission. My book explains how to differentiate. Investors look for unique opportunities and what a jackpot hospice care has become for them. Subsidized by Medicare, an endless supply of dying people, and families deliver most of the care. NONPROFIT PROVIDERS AND SMALL INDEPENDENT FOR-PROFIT HOSPICES ARE WHERE PATIENTS COME FIRST. I HOPE WE CAN KEEP THEM. #sentinelcapitalpartners #towerbrookcapitalpartners #auduxgroup #formationprivateequity #promedica #nonprofithospices www.hospicehelppro.com “Surviving Hospice: A Chaplain’s Journey Into the Business of Dying.”

By focusing on holistic support that integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual care, hospice services prioritize enhancing quality of life for individuals in their final stages. Providing comprehensive care allows for a more meaningful and dignified end-of-life experience. Suzi Johnson well done! #chapca #hospice

Hospice care, a specialized form of healthcare dedicated to offering compassionate support for individuals nearing the end of their life, is often accompanied by common myths or misperceptions. While contemplating hospice care may be a challenging decision, debunking these myths reveals numerous benefits for both patients and their families. Click our blog post below to uncover five significant benefits of hospice care, emphasizing its essential role as a valuable resource for those in need. https://lnkd.in/gHFb23ie #AveannaHospice #Aveanna

❤️❤️❤️ How amazing that President Carter has been cared for over the last year with the high level support of hospice care. Hospice care is a treatment option (like surgery or chemotherapy are treatment options) appropriate for patients who are hospice minded: ready to allow nature to take its course when the time comes and who prefer to avoid life-prolonging intervention. For people who want a “soft landing” when their time comes, and to pass peacefully, without pain or other symptoms. Hospice care focuses entirely on keeping people comfortable at a time when the body is in decline and when symptoms can change quickly. Hospice care allows people who might otherwise need to return to the hospital to remain at home, because the team is available 24/7 to respond to needs immediately. Hospice care illustrates the reality that patient values respond to quality of life and experiences. As disease progresses and as age advances, most people prefer less invasive forms of support. Hospice care allows patient wishes to be aligned with their care when standard treatments may be harmful or even life-limiting. Because of the high level of care hospice privides, patients on hospice care at the end of life have been found, in many cases, to live longer than those without. Although this is not the purpose of hospice care, this illustrates the power of comfort and remaining in one’s own familiar surroundings at the end of life. ❤️❤️❤️

Serving those in their last moments of life on hospice is a profound honor, a privilege that transcends the ordinary bounds of caregiving. Each day, I am welcomed into the intimate spaces of people's lives, where vulnerability and strength beautifully intertwine. It is in these sacred moments that I witness the raw essence of the human spirit—its resilience, its grace, and its inexhaustible capacity for love, even when the body begins to fail. In my role, I am committed to more than just alleviating physical pain; I aim to provide emotional and spiritual comfort, ensuring that every individual feels seen, heard, and cherished. Through compassionate care, I strive to create an environment where dignity is preserved, and where patients can find peace and solace in their final chapter. Moreover, I am dedicated to educating families and communities about the profound impact of hospice and palliative care. I believe that understanding these services is crucial not only for easing the transition at the end of life but for enhancing the quality of the time that remains. Hospice care is not about shortening life; it’s about enriching it, allowing individuals to truly live with purpose, clarity, and serenity before they pass. By spreading awareness and knowledge, I aim to dispel the myths that shroud hospice care in fear and misunderstanding. I advocate for a perspective that sees death as a natural part of life’s journey, one that deserves to be approached with as much thoughtfulness and love as any other significant milestone. Ultimately, my dedication lies in ensuring that every person can experience their final moments enveloped in comfort, surrounded by love, and with a sense of fulfillment. It is this mission that fuels my passion and solidifies my commitment to the incredible field of hospice and palliative care. #hospice #palliatve #affinityhopsice #lifeenrichment #qualityoflife #goalsofcare

💙 Focusing on Gratitude and Reflection in Hospice In hospice care, gratitude and reflection can make a profound difference for patients and families. At Amedicus Hospice, we encourage families to find peace and meaning during this difficult time by focusing on what truly matters: • Focusing on What Matters 🧡: Hospice care encourages reflection on meaningful relationships and cherished moments. • Cherishing Memories 🌿: Reflecting on happy memories can bring a sense of peace and comfort. • Finding Peace in Reflection 💙: Gratitude helps individuals and families find peace, even during challenging moments. Find out more about how gratitude can help you navigate the end-of-life journey at www.amedicushospice.org or call (469) 389-1028. #GratitudeInHospice #HospiceCare #Reflection #AmedicusHospice

Compassionate care makes all the difference. Discover how hospice care can support families through challenging times and provide comfort and dignity for loved ones. Read more about the impact and benefits in this insightful article from AARP: https://lnkd.in/egZWe9sZ

Here’s our story: Quick backstory: The Lighthouse Community Hospice was established in a world where talking about death is taboo. Facing the discomfort many feel around end-of-life discussions. One quirky fact: we consider ourselves 'boutique' hospice care. The odds: To say we were set up for success from the start would be a stretch. The chances of transforming hospice care were slim. And only a few break the stigma around death. The goal: But we had our sights set on personalizing end-of-life journeys. For years, relentless about understanding, respecting, and compassion. The obstacle: Success was a mountain taller than expected. Complex emotions. Confusing healthcare navigation. Diverse cultural needs. By the early days, the challenge seemed insurmountable. The breakthrough: Then, a shift happened. Stories of comfort and dignity spread. And it became clear; we were making a difference. The achievement: We introduced services like 'Death Doula Services.' Offered support tailored to cultural and spiritual needs. And most importantly, we helped families feel less alone. The lesson: Our story shows the power of compassion, respect, and understanding. It underscores the importance of normalizing conversations around death. Because when we focus on what matters, our path becomes clear. We just need time to catch up. Join our community to normalize the conversation about end-of-life care. #CompassionateCare #EndOfLife #HospiceSupport #normalizingtheconversation

What is Hospice about anyway??? A great article on Hospice, who it serves, and most importantly, it's benefits. ❤️ https://lnkd.in/ekXwSF7e