August Newsletter 2026 - Hospice of the Valleys

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August 2026

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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

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. "We will never be able to thank you enough- not EVER! You have cared for two family members over the years and we wouldn't have made it through without you." "Thank you from our entire family. We are deeply grateful for the care, respect, support and kindness you showed our beloved Dad during his time of need."

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

HELP SUPPORT DEPLOYED TROOPS! MILITARY CARE PACKING EVENT JOIN US TO ASSEMBLE CARE PACKAGES FOR DEPLOYED MEN AND WOMEN OVERSEAS! AUGUST 22, 2026 | 3:30PM - 5:30PM Hosted by Branches Military Ministry and the Welcome Home Ministry ORCHARD CHURCH-39777 AVENIDA ACACIAS, MURRIETA RSVP REQUIRED as space is limited: www.milvet.org/orchard2026 CAN'T ATTEND? to help with shipping costs: www.milvet.org/military-care-packages FOR SPONSORSHIPS OR QUESTIONS info@milvet.org (951) 384-0110

Volunteer Corner Thank you to all of our extraordinary volunteers, your support means the world to us. You are truly a blessing to us all!

Good Vibes Mike Patton Bereavement Counselor/Spiritual Care At the birth of our first child, I had been set up for the spectacular. My friend described the experience of "becoming a dad" as an "out of this world, worshipful moment of indescribable emotion." So when Melissa was born, leaving her mother's weary body into the hands of the OB/GYN, and I stood in anticipation of the glory of heaven filling the room... our baby turned her head toward me and stuck out her tongue! Wow, I thought, not at all what I imagined! In retrospect, it may have been the most spectacular and honest thing that could have happened to me. Melissa is 36 years old, a licensed clinical social worker, and someone I truly enjoy as my daughter and a fellow professional in the people business. We both enjoy the task of connecting people with hopeful ideas and practices that contribute to their overall wellness, often coming from their own reflection and engagement in conversation. Good vibes are those positive feelings and thoughts surrounding contact and communication with another person. We contribute to the good vibes by steering positive, or humorous, or grateful in the communication process. Not at the expense of authenticity or avoiding difficult circumstances, but with the confidence and joy of being a resource person and believing in a positive outcome. Anticipation of positive outcomes is fuel for good vibes. My friend's experience of the spectacular in becoming a dad contributed to his anticipation of a similar outcome for me. He definitely shared with pure intention and it was a good vibe. The lesson for me was that my wonderful experience of becoming a dad was... well, different! I have often laughed out loud recalling this experience, leaning into the "fair warning" my first of three daughters gave me heading into fatherhood! We have the ability to contribute good vibes, anticipating positive outcomes for the people we interact with, finding a path toward the positive, funny, and/or grateful. In our team meetings at Hospice of the Valleys, I find it very refreshing to work with a team of professionals who are committed to the stated mission and values of the organization, which are foundational for putting out 'good vibes.' We are good at giving our patients and their family a soft landing, a serious business in deed, and we do it in an atmosphere of positivity, humor and gratitude. A take away: when the world sticks its tongue out at you, find the humor in it and carry on. You will be on your way to putting out "good, good, good... good vibrations"!

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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