Hospice Keys, 2 University Plaza Suite 100, Hackensack, NJ (2026)

01/13/2026

Ethics in hospice care isn’t about rules. It's about alignment.
Aligning care with a patient’s values. Aligning treatment with comfort rather than burden. Aligning decisions with dignity and compassion at the end of life.

In this blog, we explore the ethical considerations that shape hospice care for patients, families, and care teams and why these conversations matter so deeply.

👉 Read the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/4kkha9rn

Ethical hospice care means doing what’s right for patients and families by aligning comfort, values, and dignity at the end of life.

01/12/2026

Judith Viorst, at 94, teaches us that growing older is more than losing abilities. It’s about reframing life’s final chapter with purpose, humor, and connection.

She reminds us to ask for help, cherish friendships, stay curious, and listen to elders’ stories before it’s too late.

For anyone supporting aging loved ones - especially in hospice care - her wisdom offers comfort and meaning. 💛

Author Judith Viorst has spent nearly nine decades writing the 47 books for children and adults that stand on your bookshelves.

01/10/2026

The recent medical aid in dying law in Illinois is raising a lot of ethical conversations about what compassion, agency, and suffering mean at the end of life.

I read an article that explores the idea that pain and suffering aren’t the same and how that distinction can shape how people think about end-of-life decisions.

I’m not taking a position here or promoting one viewpoint over another. I just found it thought-provoking and wanted to share for anyone interested in exploring the topic.

"I come to this position as a pastor and chaplain who has spent 10 years at bedsides where theology stops being theoretical and suffering becomes painfully concrete," the Rev. Terrance

01/09/2026

The Older Americans Act (OAA) - a cornerstone law that supports essential services for older adults - is currently stalled in Congress, leaving its reauthorization uncertain and funding tied to temporary extensions.

This uncertainty puts at risk programs that help millions of older Americans stay healthy and independent including home-delivered meals (like Meals on Wheels), transportation, in-home care, caregiver support, elder abuse prevention, and more. Without timely action, these services could be disrupted or scaled back, affecting seniors’ nutrition, social support, mobility, and safety.

We need stable, long-term funding to protect these vital community programs and the older adults who rely on them every day.

Learn more and raise your voice by asking your representatives to act now.

Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which provides vital services to millions of people 60 and older, might be on pause until March.

01/08/2026

This article provides yet another reminder that our healthcare system often treats death as a failure, not a sacred transition deserving respect, comfort, and humanity.
In this article a physician shares her father’s journey - and the arbitrary rules that delayed hospice care even when she understood exactly what was needed. Now imagine how overwhelming this is for families without that medical insight.
Everyone deserves compassion, clarity, and support at the end of life - not confusion, barriers, and bureaucracy.

💛 Read more and share if you believe dignity at the end of life should be the standard of care.

Personal Perspective: A physician’s personal story reveals why dying with dignity in America too often requires a fight, and why end-of-life care must change.

01/07/2026

Virtual nursing is gaining momentum in hospitals but hospice at home is a very different environment.

What could virtual nurses mean for hospice patients, family caregivers, and clinical teams? Could they help bridge the long hours between visits without replacing the human connection hospice depends on?

We explore what the research says and what it could mean for hospice care at home.

👉 Read the full blog: https://tinyurl.com/4r3fnjnc

Virtual nursing is rising in healthcare. What could it mean for hospice at home, caregivers, patients, and clinical teams?

01/06/2026

📌 Attention Employers & HR Pros: California now has wide-ranging regulations on the use of AI and automated decision systems in employment.

"AI” here means any algorithm or automated tool used in hiring and workplace decisions, not just large language models.

These new rules apply to resume screeners, ranking systems, automated assessments, targeted job ads, and more. They tie these tools directly into California’s anti-discrimination laws.

Employers should take action now to review their systems, test for bias, and improve documentation to stay compliant.

Effective October 1, 2025, new California regulations make explicit what was already implicit: the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)’s - December 17, 2025

01/05/2026

New York’s Trapped at Work Act has taken effect immediately, and it could have major implications for employers. The law broadly defines what counts as an “employer” and a “worker” including employees, independent contractors, interns, volunteers, apprentices, and sole proprietors who provide services. It prohibits requiring workers to pay money (including reimbursement for training costs) if they leave employment early.

This means NY employers should review employment agreements and contract language right away to remove or revise any questionable “stay-or-pay” or training repayment clauses. Be especially cautious about enforcement where workers depart. These provisions are now considered unconscionable and unenforceable.

Seyfarth Synopsis: As we close out 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law an amendment to the New York Labor Law, entitled the New York Trapped at Work Act, which bans “employment promissory notes” and similar stay or pay clauses used as a condition of employment. The statute took effect im...

01/04/2026

As we celebrate the New Year, it is worthwhile to review this practical article on New Year’s Resolutions for People Over 50.

Whether you’re already 50 or caring for or concerned about aging adults, you can probably relate to many of these. They cover everything from healthcare planning and staying socially connected to making your home safer and even learning how to spot AI scams.

Small changes can make a huge difference in independence and peace of mind.

Based on findings from polls of people over 50, a list of nine actions that many older adults haven't taken but should take to improve their health and well-being.

01/03/2026

A major data breach at VITAS has exposed sensitive personal and medical information of more than 300,000 current and former patients after an attacker entered the system via a compromised vendor account.

This incident shows that even when an outside partner is involved, the responsibility for protecting data remains critical. Businesses of all sizes must ensure that third-party access is secure and monitored because attackers often exploit vendor systems as an entry point.

If you care about data security, privacy, and customer trust, don’t overlook your vendors when evaluating risk.

SecurityWeek reports that major U.S. end-of-life care provider Vitas Healthcare was noted by the Department of Health and Human Services to have had data from 319,177 current and former patients compromised in a cyberattack.

01/02/2026

I really appreciated two aspects of the grief and bereavement program discussed in this article.

First, the focus on individualized grief support - recognizing that everyone’s grief journey is different and support should meet people where they are. Second, the introduction of virtual grief support, which not only offers another option for connection but is especially meaningful for people in rural areas who may have difficulty traveling to access services.

Both approaches reflect compassion, flexibility, and a deep understanding of how people experience loss.

Las Vegas-based Summerlin Hospice and Palliative Care Inc. has made significant changes to its bereavement program, integrating new virtual services and

01/01/2026

I listened to an incredibly touching podcast about meditative heartbeat therapy -- a practice that uses recorded heartbeats to help calm patient anxiety.

What makes it even more special is that these recordings often become deeply meaningful keepsakes for families and loved ones after the patient has passed. Such a beautiful way to connect care, comfort, and memory. 💖

If you’re curious, you can learn more here: www.heartbeattherapy

If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link 165 A Rhythm to Remember: Enhancing End-of-Life Care In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN interviews Daniel DeLoma, a hospice chaplain and founder of Meditative...

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