July Newsletter 2026 - Hospice of the Valleys

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July 2026

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HONORING OUR VETERANS This July, as we celebrate our nation's independence, Hospice of the Valleys proudly honors the brave men and women who have served our country. We are privileged to care for Veterans with the compassion, dignity, and gratitude they deserve. As a participant in the Honoring Our Veterans program, our team is trained to recognize and address the unique needs of Veterans at the end of life. Through Veteran Recognition Ceremonies and personalized care, we thank each Veteran for their service and ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten. Freedom comes at a cost, and we remain deeply grateful to those who answered the call to serve. It is our honor to walk beside our Veterans and their families, providing comfort, respect, and support during life's final journey.

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."

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.

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

HOV WC 2026

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

Volunteer Corner Thank you to our incredible Hospice of the Valleys Volunteers for their dedication and kindness!

Soft Landings Mike Patton Bereavement Counselor/Spiritual Care One of my brother-in-law's many interests and skills is piloting. He has recently sold his plane and is quietly closing this hobby in his storied life. As an interested observer of my work in hospice, he has often said, "Mike helps people have a soft landing." The observation holds significant meaning, especially coming from a pilot! Just as there are many things that have to come together in the right sequence and with the right actions to land a plane smoothly, so there are contributing factors to a person having a peaceful death... a soft landing. Physically, a person should have symptoms of pain, agitation and shortness of breath well managed. Emotionally, a person should have peace knowing their affairs are in order.Spiritually, a person should have peace with the people and powers in their life. Spirituality is that which gives life meaning and purpose. It is not always easy to detect end of life spiritual needs. Listening to patients and their loved ones is the best tool for this kind of discernment. Assessing the level of spiritual distress, and adjusting care plans to relieve the distress are essential to successful spiritual care.Since every person is unique, with their own relational history and concerns, there is no "one size fits all" spiritual care. Tailoring the care to the patient requires the input of family members, friends and caregivers. Love is a verb.It means to act in the best interest of the subject of your love. Helping a loved one find peace and comfort is in their best interest, especially as they come to the end of their life. Peace is a state of ease, a reality of healthy relationship, unburdened. For our hospice patients, our team pays attention to their burdens. We are committed to acting in their best interest, unburdening them. A soft landing implies a successful mission. The pilot has landed the aircraft safely. For hospice patients, a soft landing implies a peaceful "unburdened" death. Pain managed, affairs in order, and relationships at peace. It is the goal of Hospice of the Valleys to contribute to the soft landing of each patient. The successful accomplishment of a soft landing takes an entire team of committed clinicians, family members, friends and caregivers. I appreciate my brother-in-law's interest in and observation of this labor of love. In our work with families after the death, we continue to find that the softer the landing, the fewer the complicating factors in their grief. Thank you for your interest in the important work of end of life care.

Catch Some Fun - and Get Your Vitamin D Fix Leslee B. Cochrane, MD Executive Medical Director Vitamin D has long been recognized as an essential nutrient for overall health. While most people associate Vitamin D with strong bones, research continues to demonstrate its important role in supporting muscle function, cardiovascular health, immune function, and overall well-being. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a variety of health conditions, including osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, muscle weakness, certain autoimmune disorders, and some cancers. Vitamin D is unique because it functions as both a vitamin and a hormone. Unlike most nutrients, your body can produce Vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Once activated by the liver and kidneys, Vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphorus levels in the bloodstream, supporting healthy bones, muscles, nerves, and immune system function. The longer days of summer provide a great opportunity to optimize your health while enjoying the outdoors. Although excessive sun exposure can increase the risk of sunburn and skin cancer, completely avoiding sunlight may also have unintended health consequences. The key is moderation. Sensible sun exposure can help maintain healthy Vitamin D levels while providing additional benefits such as improved mood, better sleep quality, and increased physical activity. Many experts recommend brief periods of direct sun exposure several times per week, depending on factors such as skin tone, age, geographic location, season, and time of day. However, the amount of sunlight needed to produce adequate Vitamin D varies significantly from person to person. Individuals at increased risk for Vitamin D deficiency include older adults, people with obesity, individuals with darker skin pigmentation, those who spend most of their time indoors, and people with certain digestive disorders that impair nutrient absorption. Dietary sources of Vitamin D include fatty fish such as salmon and tuna, egg yolks, fortified dairy products, and fortified plant-based milk alternatives. However, many people do not obtain sufficient Vitamin D through diet alone. As a result, supplementation may be beneficial for some individuals. Current recommendations vary based on age, health status, and individual risk factors, so it is important to discuss supplementation with your healthcare provider. If you are concerned about a possible Vitamin D deficiency, your healthcare provider can order a simple blood test to measure your Vitamin D level and determine whether supplementation may be appropriate. In addition to supporting Vitamin D production, spending time outdoors has been associated with improved mood, reduced stress, better sleep patterns, and increased opportunities for physical activity. To safely enjoy the benefits of sunshine, consider the following guidelines: - Protect your face, ears, and other sensitive areas with sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing. - Spend short periods of time outdoors regularly while avoiding sunburn. - Seek shade during peak sunlight hours when UV radiation is strongest. - Use sunscreen when prolonged outdoor exposure is anticipated. Stay well hydrated and take extra precautions during periods of extreme heat. California's beautiful climate provides year-round opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Whether it's taking a walk, gardening, hiking, or simply relaxing outside, spending time in the sunshine can be an enjoyable way to support both your physical and emotional well-being. So get outside, catch some sunshine, and make the most of the health benefits that nature has to offer.

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