Cedar Valley Hospice

04/23/2026

Happy World Book Day!

Whether you read for pleasure or to learn something, books are a great tool. Today, we're highlighting a book that is very important to our grief department: "It's OK That You're Not OK" by Megan Devine. This book is used often in our closed groups. Grievers meet to talk about the book, grief and their loved one,

Other popular books our team recommends about hospice are "The In-Between" by Hadley Vlahos, hospice RN, and "Being Mortal" by Atul Gawande, MD, MPH. If you'd rather listen, Anderson Cooper's podcast "All There Is" helps shine a light on grief and the importance of acknowledgement.

04/22/2026

This morning, we were honored to be included in the Breakfast of Light Resource Fair hosted by the . Laura and Annika talked about our no-cost grief support, which is available to everyone in our community who has experienced a death loss, regardless of if it is a hospice-related death. 💚

Members of our grief team also had the opportunity to hear Keynote Speaker Jim Schmidt, stepfather of Gabby Petito and co-founder of The Gabby Petito Foundation. While Jim shared Gabby's story and the importance of providing support to those who are experiencing domestic or sexual abuse, he also also talked about grief and the importance of acknowledging all the emotions that come with it.

04/21/2026

There is still time to register for the Teen Grief Support Group! Please RSVP to Danejia, Eucalyptus Tree coordinator, by calling 319.272.2002 or emailing dlobdell@cvhospice.org

Who: Ages 13+ (limited availability)
When: Tuesday, April 28 | 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Where: Hawkeye Community College, Tama Hall (Waterloo)
Cost: Free
To RSVP, call Danejia, Eucalyptus Tree Coordinator, at 319-272-2002 or email dlobdell@cvhospice.org.

When a teen loses someone they love, it can be hard to put those feelings into words. 💚

Our Teen Grief Support Group offers a place where they don’t have to. Through connection, shared experiences, and guided activities, teens who have experienced the death of a loved one can spend time with others who understand what they’re going through while remembering and honoring the people they miss.

Parents and guardians are invited to a separate supportive discussion led by our Grief Team Lead to connect, share and explore ways to support your child. Siblings are welcome as well and will be supervised by volunteers available. Dinner will be provided for all.

Who: Ages 13+ (limited availability)
When: Tuesday, April 28 | 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Where: Hawkeye Community College, Tama Hall (Waterloo)
Cost: Free
To RSVP, call Danejia, Eucalyptus Tree Coordinator, at 319-272-2002 or email dlobdell@cvhospice.org.

04/19/2026

👋🏻 Stop by and say hello at the KWWL Health Fair today!

We will be at the Waterloo Convention Center until 3 p.m. talking about hospice, grief and dementia care resources. See you soon! 💚

04/18/2026

Our Cedar Valley Hospice team recently took part in Planting Positivity, a special event hosted by our SWAT (employee engagement) committee. 🌱 Team members painted pots before planting seeds. It was a great opportunity to slow down and enjoy great company and conversation 💚

Moments like these remind us that caring for each other is just as important as the care we provide our patients and families. If you're looking to grow your career in a supportive, purpose-driven environment, Cedar Valley Hospice is currently hiring for multiple positions, including nurses.

Join a team where compassion takes root every day and apply now at cvhospice.org/careers🌼

04/16/2026

Today, April 16, is National Healthcare Decisions day - a meaningful reminder to pause and consider your future care wishes. Ask yourself - have you completed your advance directives? If so, when was the last time you reviewed them?

Advance directives are written documents that outline your healthcare wishes in the event you are unable to speak for yourself. They are a powerful gift to your loved ones, offering clarity and easing the emotional burden of making difficult decisions during stressful times.

If you have completed your advance directives, it is important to review them each year and whenever you experience a significant change in your health or life circumstances.

If you haven't completed them yet, Cedar Valley Hospice offers no-cost consultations to help guide you through the process. Advance directives are important for every adult—they ensure your wishes are clearly documented and thoughtfully shared with the people who matter most. Call us today at 319.272.2002 to schedule your consultation today.

04/16/2026

When a teen loses someone they love, it can be hard to put those feelings into words. 💚

Our Teen Grief Support Group offers a place where they don’t have to. Through connection, shared experiences, and guided activities, teens who have experienced the death of a loved one can spend time with others who understand what they’re going through while remembering and honoring the people they miss.

Parents and guardians are invited to a separate supportive discussion led by our Grief Team Lead to connect, share and explore ways to support your child. Siblings are welcome as well and will be supervised by volunteers available. Dinner will be provided for all.

Who: Ages 13+ (limited availability)
When: Tuesday, April 28 | 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Where: Hawkeye Community College, Tama Hall (Waterloo)
Cost: Free
To RSVP, call Danejia, Eucalyptus Tree Coordinator, at 319-272-2002 or email dlobdell@cvhospice.org.

04/14/2026

Happy 1-year to Melody! Thank you for in your role as spiritual care counselor for the last year - we're glad to have you on our team!

04/07/2026

It's been 365 days since Chasity started with us, and today we're celebrating her 1-year ! Thank you for for our patients and their families, Chasity!

04/06/2026

Last Thursday, Cedar Valley Hospice attended the Grow Cedar Valley annual celebration, where they honored several organizations and individuals making a difference in our communities.

Congratulations to the honorees!

04/03/2026

Happy 20-year to our music therapist, Rachel! Rachel, sometimes known as "the girl with the guitar," brings peace and calm to patients through music. 🎸🎶 Rachel - thank you for for countless patients and families in the last two decades!

04/02/2026

The month of April is when we celebrate counseling in its many forms - including grief counseling. Today, in honor of National Counseling Awareness Month, we share Brad's story. 💚

Brad reached out to Cedar Valley Hospice for grief support following the death of his wife Jane, who lived with Huntington's Disease. Brad was her primary caregiver, and as the disease progressed, he realized he needed help. They started having an aide from come help. Bartels suggested the family call Cedar Valley Hospice for more support.

A week after Jane's death, Brad joined a GriefShare at a local church. While it was beneficial, he needed more support. After he received a routine check-in call from Cedar Valley Hospice's grief department, Brad decided to start talking to one of our grief counselors. That experience has helped him reach a "good place" after Jane's death.

“I used to think if I’m not always thinking about her, I’m forgetting her,” Brad said. “I’ve learned that it’s all right that life goes on, but it takes work. If you process grief in an effective way, you can not only survive, but you can thrive. When you collaborate with good people like Cedar Valley Hospice, you can find a good direction.”

To read more of Brad and Jane's story, visit https://www.cvhospice.org/brad-story/

Cedar Valley Hospice offers free grief counseling to anyone who has experienced a death, regardless of how or when the death happened. To learn more, visit https://www.cvhospice.org/services/grief-support/