HONORING OUR HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS

Nat'l Volunteer Week: April 19-25, 2026

Across the nation, volunteers are celebrated in the month of April. And, did you know that volunteerism is at the heart of Hospice? The U.S. hospice movement was founded by dedicated grassroots volunteers in the 1970's and volunteers continue to play a vital role, as mandated by Medicare. We could not do this work without you on our team! We are extremely grateful for your kind-hearts and compassion in service to those who are approaching end of life. You provide a unique community service on our island and we're inspired by your sincere desire to help others. So this month, we are CELEBRATING YOU - MAHALO!

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT GROUP - SAVE THE DATE

Monday, APRIL 6, 5:00-6:30 pm

Please mark your calendars to attend our next Volunteer Support Group. These monthly meetings provide in-service education to enhance specific skills, knowledge and competencies, and support your well-being too! Come gain insights from our shared experiences about this deeply rewarding work. Please attend, irregardless of whether you currently have a family/patient assignment. RSVPs are appreciated and light refreshments will be provided. Location: Kauai Hospice Conference Room.

BLOG: PLEASE DON'T DO THIS TO THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE

BY: MODERN LOSS AND STEWARD (Feb. 25, 2026)

Rebecca Soffer, co-founder of Modern Loss, hosts a candid conversation about estate planning and how to protect what (and who) matters without becoming overwhelmed. They explain what estate planning really is, why avoidance can unintentionally burden the very people we love most, and how putting a plan in place is less about morbidity and more about emotional generosity. Click here and scroll down to the read the valuable 10 takeaways from the conversation. For example: #1. An “estate” isn’t about wealth. It’s about your stuff. If you own anything—a home, a bank account, a car, digital assets, a life insurance policy, a couch—you have an estate. This isn’t a Dynasty situation. It’s a human one. Or, you can watch the full 1-hour conversation with attorney Andreea Olteanu from the estate planning platform Steward, that leverages AI technology and legal experts. 

POEM: THE LOVE LETTER - BY GABBY JIMENEZ

www.thehospiceheart.net

It isn't written on paper

It is written in the ordinary days

in the laughter, and the lessons

in the way someone made space for you

in the way you learned to make space for them

Nothing is lost

What we carry is not absence

it is love, still alive within us

Love remains

folded gently inside our hearts

like a love letter made of memories

There is no "d" at the end of love,

we love them and we always will

YOUTUBE: THE FOUR ELEMENTAL PATHWAYS AFTER DEATH

BY: SARAH KERR, PhD - The Centre for Sacred Deathcare

(1:08 minute)

Long before modern Western systems shaped the way we think about life (and death) humans lived with an understanding that we belonged to a larger ecological cycle, made up of essential elements - air, fire, water, and earth. In this brief 1-minute video, Sarah Kerr looks at how these elements still guide us in the traditional ways that we return the body to the landscape after death. Click here to watch.

WHAT ARE DEADBOTS?

"Deadbots"— also known as griefbots, ghostbots, or postmortem avatars, are AI-powered simulations of deceased individuals designed to mimic their personality, voice, and mannerisms. These technologies are trained on a person’s "digital footprint" including social media posts, emails, text messages, and voice recordings. These tools are part of the growing "digital afterlife industry," aimed at creating a digital presence that allows the living to interact with loved ones who have died. Proponents say they can offer comfort to the bereaved by providing a sense of continued connection, and provide memory preservation to help families and younger generations get to know deceased relatives.

However, ethical and psychological risks have been raised: a) simulated communication with the deceased may hinder the natural, necessary process of coming to terms with loss. b) some family members may feel "haunted" by an unwanted, persistent AI version of their loved one. c) intense emotional bonds may lead to dependency. Additional concerns include privacy and consent since few laws govern the use of a person's digital data after death, and the vulnerability of the personal information used to train these AI models could be misused or hacked. University of Cambridge researchers published an article "Call for safeguards to prevent unwanted ‘hauntings’ by AI chatbots of dead loved ones" which lays out the need for design safety protocols to prevent the emerging “digital afterlife industry” from causing social and psychological harm.

JOURNEY THROUGH GRIEF: A 5-WEEK WORKSHOP

A Pathway to Hope, Renewal and Inner Peace

Kauai Hospice is offering a free 5-week Adult Grief Support Group that begins Thursday, April 16, 2026. In a supportive way, participants will receive information, education and encouragement to explore the complex, confusing and often disorienting feelings experienced when a loved one dies.

Pre-registration is required. Call 808-245-7277 to sign up. 

You can download the flyer here.

LOCATION: Kauai Hospice Conference Room, Lihue.

DATES: (5 Thursdays) April 16, 23, 30, May 7 and 14, 2026.

ARTICLE: PSYCHEDELIC END-OF-LIFE CARE RESEARCH RECEIVES $566K

BY: NEWS MEDICAL (January 27, 2026)

Healing Hearts, Changing Minds (HHCM) is a philanthropic nonprofit foundation committed to expanding the healing potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy. For many individuals who are facing a serious or life-threatening illness, severe anxiety is a significant issue. Research has shown that psychedelic therapy can be extremely effective in reducing anxiety and helping people to live fully and meaningfully. And, HHCM has recognized that more research is needed to identify the best ways to deliver the therapy to people in need. Recently, HHCM announced the awardees of their $566,260 philanthropic initiative "Walking Each Other Home: A Fund to Promote Psychedelic Compassion for End-of-Life Care". Click here to read more about the seven grantees.