Life's Journey
A collection of articles and stories to help you better understand and experience the full benefit of hospice care, palliative care and grief support.
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When is the right time to call hospice?
Important Takeaways Families don’t need to wait until the final days to reach out for hospice care. Early hospice care offers more time for comfort, support, and peace of mind. Anyone—patients, family, or friends—can start the conversation. No referral needed. Heartlinks walks beside families from the first difficult decisions to...
Understanding Palliative Care: Relief, Support, and Living Fully
Key Takeaways Palliative care is specialized medical support that focuses on comfort, symptom relief, and care coordination for people of all ages living with serious illnesses. It’s not the same as hospice—you can receive palliative care while continuing treatments like chemo, radiation, or surgery. Starting early improves quality of life...
New Overdose Loss Support Group in Yakima
A new support group for those who have experienced the death of a loved one due to overdose or substance use disorder begins September 9 at 6 p.m. in Yakima. During the six, monthly sessions, attendees will feel safe and supported as they connect with others who have lost a...
What’s the Difference? How to choose an Adult Family Home, Assisted Living Facility, Nursing Home, or Skilled Nursing Facility
When a loved one needs more care than can be provided at home, families are often faced with a flood of unfamiliar terms. It’s common to feel overwhelmed while trying to understand the differences between an Adult Family Home, Assisted Living Facility, Nursing Home, and Skilled Nursing Facility. These settings each serve...
Palliative Care Makes Me Feel Normal
Tina’s Palliative Care Story Tina has always enjoyed the outdoors, being on the water, and experiencing nature. When she was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, her life began to change dramatically. Today, at age 56, after battling three different cancers, Tina spends most of her days inside her Selah home,...
Heartlinks Achieves Deficiency-Free Survey from State and CMS
The Heartlinks’ hospice staff and program received zero deficiencies from the Washington State Department of Health and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services during its Hospice Recertification Survey, meeting all state licensing and federal Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs). On July 15-17 state surveyors conducted an immediate and rigorous assessment...
Considering It All, She’s Thriving
Shaniesha’s Palliative Care Story Shaniesha dances through the house in her wheelchair whenever music is playing. “She is the happiest little girl you will ever meet,” says her mother, Shaunon. Although she is Shaunon’s little girl, Shaniesha is a 33-year-old adult living with severe Cerebral Palsy since birth, although not...
Are Grief Support Groups Helpful? Understanding the Benefits of Sharing Your Grief
Grief is a deeply personal journey, and no two people experience it the same way. If you or someone you love is grieving, you may wonder whether talking to others who are also grieving can really help. At Heartlinks, we’ve seen firsthand how compassionate connection in a supportive setting can...