June Newsletter 2026 - Hospice of the Valleys

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Press Enterprise Top Work Places 2014 - 2025

June 2026

Nurses Fund Donations Raised $60,000 of $100,000

NOTES FROM FRIENDS Hospice of the Valleys serves hundreds of patients every year. We honor them by sharing their stories. They remind us every day of the meaning and purpose of our work and that human connection is at the heart of the hospice experience. The following are notes Hospice of the Valleys has received from the families of patients that we have been privileged to provide hospice care. "Hospice of the Valleys is a special group of people. I'm so glad that you've been part of our family's lives." "Thank you for the care and comfort you provided our mother. We think of you often, especially our nurse Julie and home health aide Laura. We don't know what we would've done without your help."

Win this custom cooler! Winning ticket will be drawn June 19th, just in time for Father's Day. Raffle Tickets $10.00 Tickets sold: Above and Beyond Beauty 30520 Rancho Cal Rd, Ste 108, Temecula Cooler donated by SOCAL Custom Rustics. Proceeds benefits Hospice of the Valleys.

Celebrate the Heart of Volunteering Become a Hospice Volunteer Hospice is about family and community... And volunteers bring heart to hospice. Our team always had the need for volunteers in patient support, music, veteran to veteran support, fundraising, administrative support and more. Hold a Hand-Give a Hug-Touch a Heart. Becoming a hospice volunteers is a meaningful and rewarding experience. You can make a difference! *Seeking bi-lingual volunteers for patient support and music* Hospice of the Valleys: Canyon Lake, Fallbrook, Hemet, Homeland, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Murrieta, Nuevo, Perris, Quail Valley, Romoland, San Jacinto, Sun City, Temecula, Wildomar, Winchester Please contact Chrisy Lawless, Volunteer Manager 951-200-7800 or CLawless@hovsc.org for more information. You may also refer to our website page HospiceoftheValleys.org for new training updates.

FLAG DAY - JUNE 14 ID YOU KNOW THE AMERICAN FLAG HAS CHANGED 27 TIMES SINCE IT WAS FIRST ADOPTED IN 1777? EACH NEW STAR TELLS THE STORY OF OUR GROWING NATION. FLAG DAY, CELEBRATED ON JUNE 14, HONORS THE FLAG AND THE HISTORY, PRIDE, AND UNITY IT REPRESENTS. AT HOSPICE OF THE VALLEYS, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE VETERANS, MILITARY FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO SERVING OTHERS. WE WISH YOU A WONDERFUL JUNE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR MISSION.

Seeking Fundraising Volunteers - You can make a difference - Outgoing and Self-Motivated - Detail-Oriented and Good organization skills - Ability to Interact Positively with Guests and a Team. If this sounds like you, we'd love to talk with you about how you can help! Please contact: Chrisy Lawless 951-200-7800 | CLawless@Hovsc.org

JOIN US IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE You can make a big impact with Hospice of the Valleys by supporting our Nurses' Fund - a vital resource dedicated to strengthening the compassionate care our nurses provide every single day. Our nurses are truly the heart of our mission. They bring calm in the hardest moments, comfort at 2:00 AM, and guidance for families facing their most sacred goodbyes. When you support them, you support every patient and family who turns to us in their time of need. Your gift to the Nurses' Fund helps us: - Support and retain exceptional hospice nurses - Provide ongoing training and professional development - Maintain low nurse caseloads that allow for more individualized, specialized care - Expand access to care for patients regardless of ability to pay YOUR MONTHLY GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE $10 'We Honor Veterans' Pinning for One Patient $25 Comfort Supplies for Ten Patients $50 Medication Copays for Ten Patients $100 Clinical Staff Transportation to Four Patient Visits DONATE

HOV WC 2026

Volunteer Corner Hospice of the Valleys has the Best Volunteers! We never stop being amazed by the warmth and graciousness of our volunteers. Many times, I know that the volunteer has shuffled their schedule to accommodate whatever work needs to be done. We appreciate all your efforts and so do the patients, families & staff.

Mama Teresa Mike Patton Bereavement Counselor/Spiritual Care The whole world has long been inspired by the life and work of Mother Theresa of Calcutta, but are you aware of the divine inspiration of Momma Teresa of Hospice of the Valleys? This tireless powerhouse of positivity, whose work spanned the gambit of dealing with Medicare reps to the pumping vibe of office rapper, just retired after 31 years of service! For ten of the 31 years we were office cubicle neighbors, and I am the beneficiary of her powerful positivity and rich sense of humor. Two of the many qualities of Teresa of HOV are confidence and humility. When Teresa was applying for the job 31 years ago, her cover letter accompanying her resume included this statement: "I always try to give more than 100% in all that I do. I am efficient and take pride in my work. Cooperation with my fellow employees is important because it makes the whole system have success. I have the willingness and the ability to lean new skills while improving the old skills." Confidence in her ability to do the job was more than proven in her career at Hospice of the Valleys, and that confidence is contagious to the "whole system." While she never tried to do the job of chaplain or bereavement counselor, her confidence certainly nurtured my own confidence to do my job with excellence. Teresa, as far as I know, was not a trained professional rapper. At my first all-staff meeting in 2015, this jersey clad, ball cap twisted to the side, dark shades wearing powerhouse stood tall, all five feet of her, and belted a rhyming lyric to a rhythmic beat that rocked the office! I was in the presence of fame and inspiration! She left the room before I could get an autograph. What sealed the deal for me in my assessment of Momma Teresa is her genuine humility. You cannot manufacture humility, it is a character quality that shows up under pressure. I will never forget the dark days that accompanied Rich and Teresa when their daughter Stephanie died. Teresa could not believe what she saw as she stood at the podium of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Moreno Valley speaking about her beloved daughter. She recalled thinking that Hospice of the Valleys must have closed down for the day, as so many of her colleagues were at the service. Of course we were, but even in that moment of immense grief pain, she considered others more important than herself. Humble confidence is a character trait that inspires me. Humility allows me to see the wonder and beauty in the people around me while confidence allows me to contribute to the whole system by giving more than 100% in all I do. Thanks for your inspiration Momma Teresa!

Happy Father's Day

Who Cares for the Caregiver? Your Health Matters Leslee B. Cochrane, MD Executive Medical Director Caregiver burnout remains a widespread and growing public health challenge. Today, more than 53 million Americans serve as unpaid caregivers for aging, chronically ill, or disabled loved ones. Studies continue to show that 40-70% of caregivers experience significant stress, with many reporting symptoms of burnout, anxiety, or depression. Nurses understand these challenges better than most. Through their daily work, they witness firsthand the physical, emotional, and financial strain placed on family caregivers. Consistently ranked among the most trusted professionals, nurses play a critical role not only in patient care but also in supporting and educating caregivers. For over 40 years, the nurses of Hospice of the Valleys have provided compassionate, end-of-life care to patients and families in our community. It is a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals, and these "Angels Among Us". Recognizing the Warning Signs Understanding caregiver burnout begins with recognizing its early warning signs. These may include: 1. Changes in appetite-eating too much or too little 2. Poor sleep or persistent exhaustion 3. Mood changes, including anxiety, irritability, or depression 4. Self-neglect-ignoring personal medical, emotional, or spiritual needs 5. Physical symptoms such as headaches, high blood pressure, or chest pain (seek medical attention immediately if these occur) A Growing Challenge in 2026 Caregiver burnout has intensified in recent years due to longer life expectancies, increased rates of chronic illness, and ongoing healthcare workforce shortages. In addition, the financial burden of caregiving remains significant, as long-term personal care is still not fully covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare. While there is no simple solution, there is growing awareness-and more support than ever before. Caregivers are encouraged to seek help early and take advantage of available community and digital resources. Local Resources for Caregivers If you or someone you know is experiencing caregiver stress, support is available: - Riverside County Office on Aging - (800) 510-2020 - Offers caregiver education, support groups, respite care information, and resource referrals. - Riverside County Veterans Services - (951) 766-2566 - Veterans and their families may qualify for expanded caregiver support programs, including financial assistance and respite services through initiatives such as We Honor Veterans. - In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Hotline- (888) 960-4477 • Individuals with Medi-Cal may qualify for in-home caregiving assistance or support with long-term care placement. - Hospice of the Valleys - (951) 200-7800. Visit our website at https://hospiceofthevalleys.org/ to explore our updated caregiver resource library under the "Patients and Families" section. You Are Not Alone Caregiving can be one of the most meaningful roles a person will ever take on-but it should never be done alone. At Hospice of the Valleys, we remain committed to supporting families through every stage of care, helping to ease the burdens and honor the dignity of those we serve. If you are a caregiver, remember: taking care of yourself is not a luxury-it is a necessity.

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