Lumina Hospice & Palliative Care

05/08/2026

04/27/2026

Not all hospice care is built the same.

When families are making one of the most emotional decisions of their lives, they deserve to know who is caring for them, what values guide that care, and whether the organization is rooted in service — or driven by profit.

Recent national reporting and research have raised serious concerns about the growth of for-profit hospice care and the impact it can have on patients and families. A RAND/JAMA Internal Medicine study found that family caregivers reported worse care experiences in for-profit hospices than in nonprofit hospices across all measured areas, including help for pain and symptoms, timely care, communication, and overall willingness to recommend the hospice. The study also found that caregivers of patients served by for-profit hospices were nearly 5 percentage points less likely to say they would definitely recommend that hospice.

That matters.

Hospice is not just a service. It is trust. It is comfort. It is a nurse answering the phone when symptoms change. It is a social worker helping a family process what is happening. It is a chaplain, volunteer, bereavement support, medication guidance, caregiver teaching, and a team that shows up when people are scared, overwhelmed, and grieving.

Community-grown nonprofit hospice care is different because the mission comes first. Nonprofit hospices are accountable to the people and communities they serve. Dollars are reinvested into care, staffing, education, bereavement, charity support, and services that help families beyond what is simply billable.

When choosing a hospice, families have a right to ask questions.

Things to look for:

• Look up the hospice on Medicare Care Compare / Hospice Compare
• Review quality scores and family caregiver survey results
• Ask how often nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers visit
• Ask what support is available after hours, on weekends, and during a crisis
• Ask whether the hospice is nonprofit, for-profit, private-equity owned, or part of a large chain
• Look up nonprofit Form 990s to see how community dollars are used
• Read reviews, but also ask trusted local providers and families about their experiences
• Ask what bereavement, caregiver support, and community education are offered
• Ask whether the organization is truly local and how long it has served the community

At Lumina Hospice & Palliative Care, we believe hospice should be about care — not profit. We are proud to be an independent, community-grown nonprofit hospice rooted in this community for nearly 45 years.

Your care is your choice. Always.

And when the time comes to choose hospice, you deserve clear information, compassionate support, and a team whose mission is centered on dignity, comfort, and the people we serve.

04/19/2026

During Volunteer Appreciation Week, we're grateful for our volunteers' kindness, compassion, and time. You bring comfort, support, and joy to our patients and families. Thank you for sharing your heart and dedication with us! ❤️

With heartfelt appreciation,
The Lumina Team

04/13/2026

Free 6 week class on Powerful Tools for Caregivers one session starts in May and another in September . Please see the flyer for registration details

04/13/2026

Managing Stress for Caregivers workshop at Lebanon Senior Center. Thursday, April 23 10-11:30 am. Register through Lumina by calling 541-757-9616 and asking for Naomi or email naomi.hirsch@luminahospice.org.

04/13/2026

Please join Dr. Helen Kao for her lecture on " Caring for Dementia Over Time" at the Albany Public Library May 14th Noon to 1:30.

Food and refreshments from 1-1:30 pm.

In celebration of Older Americans Month, Cascades West Council of Government is partnering with Lumina Hospice and providing food and resources after the presentation. Stay and ask questions with staff, get resources, and eat some delicious food.

04/13/2026

You are invited to Lumina’s Spring Memorial Event on May 30th—a special time to remember and honor loved ones who have died, share in community, and find comfort together. We will have refreshments, a meditative walk, live music, and arts and crafts for the entire family.
No cost to attend and no hospice affiliation required.

04/07/2026

Nursing was always meant to be more than tasks and timelines. It was meant to be presence, compassion, and human connection. In home hospice, you have the honor of standing beside patients and families in their final chapter, offering comfort, dignity, and support when it matters most. This work is sacred, powerful, and some of the most rewarding care a nurse can provide in a lifetime. If you're ready to reclaim your purpose and help shape compassionate bedside care for generations to come, we'd love to hear from you. Step into meaningful work. Apply today.

02/26/2026

Spring Grief Education & Support Group starts in April . If interested in this 8 week group please contact our office at 541-757-9616 .

02/17/2026

Surviving parents are caretakers to parentless children, but must find a balance to grieve their spouse.

02/11/2026

Valentine's Day deliveries for hospice patients, thanks to youth in the community! This week Lumina's clinical team has been delivering sweet handmade valentines and flowers to our hospice patients. They were made by the young ladies at St Mary's Catholic Church. We really appreciate community groups like the Little Flowers who help us make people's lives a little sweeter.