Literature Review

Croí Health receives $2.5 million from Alan McKim to support hospice care MassNonprofit News; Press Release; 2/10/26 As part of a longstanding commitment to Croí Health, Alan McKim is donating $2.5 million to Voices: The Campaign for Patient Care Access to support hospice care. ... The Voices campaign addresses the vital need to expand care. Amidst an unprecedented national healthcare crisis, support for community-based healthcare organizations has never been more critical. “I am honored to stand with Croí Health as they continue to set ambitious goals to expand access to patient care,” said McKim, founder of Clean Harbors. In year three of the campaign, Croí Health has raised $16.3 million of a $20 million goal already raised in its third year. This $2.5 million donation is the largest campaign gift to date.

Community Hospice & Palliative Care unveils Advanced Cardiac Care Program Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 2/9/26 Florida-based Community Hospice & Palliative Care has launched an Advanced Cardiac Care Program to serve patients and families wrestling with heart disease. The hospice, an affiliate of Alivia Care, designed the program in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation. It will provide a suite of services specifically designed for patients with cardiac conditions.

HPH Hospice unveils revamped Lecanto facility: Changes include adding PACE program later this year Paxton Media Group; by Nancy Kennedy; 2/7/26 Despite the rumors, the HPH Citrus Hospice House in Lecanto did not close and is not closing. In fact, they are very much providing care for their patients and expanding services with a remodel of their Lecanto [Florida] facility. ... On Jan. 29 and 30, the HPH Hospice had an open house for community partners to unveil the changes — new flooring and paint, a reconfiguration of offices and work stations, new HVAC system, new furniture and state-of-the-art equipment. ... One of the newest additions, which is expected to start in the fall, is the Hope PACE Center. One side of the facility will be dedicated to inpatient hospice care and the other side will be the PACE program — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.

Elara Caring secures new strategic investment from Ares and DaVita Elara Caring News; Press Release; 2/2/26 Elara Caring (Elara), a leading national provider of skilled home health, hospice, behavioral health, and personal care services, today announced that it has entered into an agreement for a strategic investment from Ares’ Private Equity Group (Ares) and DaVita. The investment is intended to expand access to personalized, clinically advanced care at home for patients with complex and acute needs. Elara will continue to operate as a wholly independent company led by CEO Ananth Mohan and the current management team. 

Honoring Black History Month: Advancing equity in hospice and end-of-life care Gilchrist; by Gilchrist Staff; 2/3/26 Black History Month is a time to honor the resilience, contributions, and leadership of Black Americans, past and present, while also reflecting on the work that remains to ensure equity across all areas of society, including healthcare. In hospice and palliative care, Black leaders, clinicians, advocates, and community members have played a vital role in expanding access, shaping compassionate care models, and addressing long-standing disparities at the end of life. At Gilchrist, Black History Month is not only about reflection, but also about action. 

Stop losing customers: Why your retention strategy needs AI nowBusinessWorld; by Sheila Salamanca; 1/6/26Here’s a question that keeps executives up at night: Why are customers leaving, and what can we do about it? If you’re watching customers slip away despite your best efforts, you’re not alone. In subscription-based businesses — think streaming services, software, telecom — losing just 5% more customers can slash profits by 25% or more. The math is brutal. But the solution isn’t acquiring more customers. It’s keeping the ones you have. This isn’t just common sense; it’s now backed by AI... Companies like Verizon and Vodafone have already figured this out. They’re using neural networks, sophisticated AI systems inspired by how our brains work, to predict which customers are about to leave, and how to intervene before it’s too late.Publisher's note: This interesting article recently came across my desk. Hospice's focus retention strategies on staff, not patients. This article might help with both.

Los Angeles County hospice industry under scrutiny for suspected Medicare fraud Santa Monica Observer, Santa Monica, CA; by Chet McSnark; 2/1/26 With 2,000 hospice agencies, Los Angeles County has more than 36 states combined and 30x more than Florida and New York. ... Recent reports indicate that the county accounts for approximately 18% of the nation's total Medicare billing for these services, despite representing only about 2.5% of the U.S. population. According to statements from CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz ... has estimated that fraudulent activity in Los Angeles County hospice and home health care could amount to roughly $3.5 billion annually. Federal data shows the county hosts nearly 1,923 hospice providers, a number that exceeds the total in many other states combined.

HopeWest holds 30th annual gala to support new dementia program KJCT 8 News - ABC, Grand Junction, CO; by Robbie Patla; 2/1/26 HopeWest held its 30th annual gala on January 31, bringing community members and partners together to support its new Dementia Support Program, which launched in July 2025. ... "This program really supports the caregiver’s journey and provides them with resources so that they are knowledgeable and have the tools to take care of their loved one,” said Breeana Gumpert, Chief Development Officer for HopeWest. ... Over 520 Grand Valley residents attended the sold-out event, which featured a “Romantic Renaissance” theme and raised funds for the program through ticket sales, a silent auction, and donations.

AMOREM Nourishes Our Neighbors Canned Dood Drive successful The Avery Journal-Times, Newland, NC; by Staff report editor; 1/30/26 HIGH COUNTRY In an effort to give back to their community, AMOREM staff joined together for an AMOREM Nourishes Our Neighbors Canned Food Drive in January. The event, coordinated by AMOREM's wellness committee and dietary services, was inspired by the organization's mission, vision and values. Staff were challenged to donate canned foods in a friendly competition between campuses and the collection from each campus was distributed to local food banks. ... A total of 667 items with a total value of $1,024.25 were collected and distributed to Yokefellow in Lenoir, Burke United Christian Ministries in Morganton and Hospitality House of Northwest NC in Boone.

VITAS Healthcare to be featured on CNBC's Now We Know! with Steve Guttenberg – airing January 31 1045 TheDan.com, Delray Beach, FL; by Now We Know!; 1/29/26The upcoming episode of Now We Know! with Steve Guttenberg, airing Saturday, January 31 at 11a ET on CNBC, will feature VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leader in hospice and palliative care dedicated to improving quality of life for seriously ill patients and their families. ... Hosted by actor, author, and businessman, Steve Guttenberg, this unique platform inspires the next generation of knowledge seekers and viewers around the country. 

The final year of the late Ben Hurd’s Christmas Tree Farm raised more than $25k for Hospice of Humboldt

Briana Kohlbrenner: End-of-life care is under threat - as demand for hospice grows, workers say staffing and pay must keep paceVTDigger, Vermont; commentary by Briana Kohlbrenner; 1/27/26 As demand for hospice grows, workers say staffing and pay must keep pace. University of Vermont Home Health and Hospice (UVMHHH) is at a crossroads. As Vermont’s population ages, the demand for hospice care is growing. ... We are asking for fair and transparent pay scales, safe staffing and equity within the UVM Health system. Though we wear the same logo on our badges, we are paid less than our counterparts in other parts of the UVM Health system. A new nurse starting at UVM Home Health and Hospice earns $6.72 less per hour than a new nurse at the UVM Medical Center.

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day theme suggestions 2026 World Hospice and Palliative Care Association (WHPCA); 1/26/26 World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) is celebrated and marked each year on the second Saturday of October. [This] year, it will be on 10 October 2026. Each year, the WHPCA team gives a lot of thought to the theme, which is used the world over to advocate for better palliative care services for people living with palliative care needs. The WHPCA invites you to share suggestions for the theme for the coming year, 2026. ... If your suggestion is selected, we can share your name and picture on our digital platforms, giving you a shout-out for your brilliant contribution.