Literature Review

Organic growth top of mind for hospice providers in 2025Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 1/31/25 Hospices in 2025 are laser-focused on organic growth rather than other tactics like acquisitions. Among 112 hospice professionals who responded to the 2024 Outlook Survey by Hospice News and Homecare Homebase, 60% said that expanding current locations would be the growth tactic they plan to use the most during 2025. About 64% of the respondents were c-suite leaders, VPs and directors. “Organic growth remains a top priority for providers, with 60% of respondents focusing on expanding within their existing locations,” the survey report indicated. “Referrals from senior living and assisted living facilities, hospital systems and palliative care programs are also expected to significantly drive growth.”

Sons of the American Legion donates $14K to Hospice HouseOwatonna People's Press, Owatonna, MN; 1/29/25 On Saturday, Jan. 18, the Owatonna Sons of the American Legion presented their donation of $14,063 to members of the Homestead Hospice House Board. This generous donation was made possible by raising the proceeds from their 2024 raffle ticket sales and a match in proceeds from the Owatonna Legion Post members. Kasy Kamholz stated that the Homestead Hospice House is nearly ready to open as they have met their fundraising goals. He stated that they are currently negotiating the final details on a contract with Seasons Hospice out of Rochester. 

Hospice of the Red River Valley's Fargo office relocates NewsDakota.com, Fargo, ND; by Steve Urness; 1/27/25 Hospice of the Red River Valley is thrilled to share some wonderful news that marks a significant milestone in their 25-year dream for a community-based hospice house. On January 27, 2025, Hospice of the Red River Valley moved to a new and exciting location. Their new home is now at Heather’s House on Scheels Campus in South Fargo, located at 3800 56th Ave. S., Fargo, ND 58104. This move brings them one step closer to opening Heather’s House – the very first freestanding hospice house in North Dakota. Heather’s House will offer the community a peaceful, supportive environment where patients and families can find comfort, dignity and compassionate care. 

Circle of Life opens home-based care center Talk Business & Politics, Arkansas; by Talk & Politics staff; 1/28/25 Nonprofit hospice provider Circle of Life recently opened the two-story, 27,133-square-foot Joey Feek Center for Home-Based Care in Lowell after a capital campaign raised over $12.5 million. According to a news release, the center will serve 93% of the nonprofit’s patients daily. “We want to express our deep gratitude to our community, board of directors, and dedicated staff for making this expansion possible,” CEO Catherine Grubbs said. ... Dee Vaughn, chief development officer, said the campaign surpassed its $12.5 million goal and had over 350 supporters. Circle of Life has more than 170 staff based at the new center, ... 

Hospice rationale should be reassessed, says ethicist Medscape; by Arthur L. Caplan, PhD, Medical Ethics at NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine; 1/23/25 ... Decades ago, I first found out about the idea that came from England and a nurse, Cicely Saunders, to change the setting in which people die. ... I think that was a wonderful idea, and it has revolutionized end-of-life care. We have many excellent, superb hospice programs. ... The hospice institution is decades old, and it’s time to take another look at what’s going on there.  ... Private equity is all over this area, buying up hospice chains and home care hospice — looking to make big profits but not looking to maintain the quality requirements that ought to be there or to do more than is minimally required to set up and staff hospice. ... ... For reasons of serving the best interests of hospice patients, we should be rechecking the fairness of reimbursement, not overburdening families with care that ought to be provided by hospice programs, and making sure that those who are dying are monitored adequately and receiving checkups regularly. ...

Hospice of Savannah awarded grant for safety improvements NBC WSAV Savannah News, Savannah, GA; by Eric Dorsch; 1/27/25 Hospice of Savannah Inc. (HSI) has announced it has been awarded a grant for repairs and home modifications. HSI will receive $1,999,111 in Older Adults Home Modification Program grant funding to complete safety and functional home modifications and limited repairs in the primary residences of two hundred eligible homeowners and renters over age 62 with low income. The work aims to improve general safety, increase accessibility, reduce falls, and improve residents’ functional abilities in the home for their safe and successful aging in place. 

Teleios announces addition of Hospice of Davidson County Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); by Tina Gentry; 1/24/25 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN) announced the addition of Hospice of Davidson County as an associate member. Established in 1985, Hospice of Davidson County is an accredited end-of-life healthcare provider in North Carolina serving residents with hospice care in the greater Davidson County community, from Lexington, Thomasville, Welcome, Midway, Arcadia, and other surrounding counties, including Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, and Rowan. Notable mentions: Laura Owen, Hospice of Davidson County CEO and Chris Comeaux, Teleios Collaborative Network President/CEO

Clarinda health center honors Fulks for family donation Maryville Forum, Clarinda, IO; 1/22/25 The Clarinda Regional Health Center announced last week that the recent remodel of its hospice suite and family room was made possible through a donation from the Jimmy and Lora Lea Fulk family. According to a news release from the hospital, the transformed space is a lasting tribute to the Fulks, reflecting on their values of faith, family and perseverance. The renovation, funded by Joyce Fulk Whitney, Dale Fulk, Alice Fulk Wisner and Nancy Fulk McKinnon in honor of their parents, ensures that the hospice suite and family room are not only more functional, but also provides a sanctuary for those in need of comfort and solace, the news release stated. 

Locally and veteran-owned Headwaters Hospice and Palliative Care expands healthcare offerings for Montana communities Business Post Examiner, Helena, MT; by Michael Brown; 1/22/25 In just one year since receiving the prestigious CHAP Accreditation, Headwaters Hospice and Palliative Care has become a cornerstone of compassionate care in the Helena Valley, Montana. ... Building on this success, Headwaters Hospice and Palliative Care is proud to announce its expansion into the Butte/Silver Bow County area, bringing its renowned services to even more Montanans. In addition to hospice care, the company will begin offering palliative care services in 2025. These services will not only provide an alternative provider for Helena but will also be the only in-home palliative care option available in Butte. 

Big Bend Hospice opens new resale boutique benefiting local families Apalachicola The Times; by Bill Wertman; 1/15/25 At Big Bend Hospice (BBH), every decision we make is guided by our commitment to serving families across North Florida with compassion and care. For more than 40 years, we have been a cornerstone of support for patients with advanced illnesses and their loved ones. Today, I am proud to share an exciting new chapter in our story: the opening of Oak Tree Treasures, a resale shop located at 3260 Mahan Drive in Tallahassee. ...  Oak Tree Treasures embodies our mission of ensuring every family has access to the highest quality hospice care, regardless of financial barriers. All proceeds directly support our hospice services and therapeutic programs, bringing comfort and dignity to families during life’s most challenging moments.

Nonprofit opens home-based care facility for hospice patients Fox KNWA-24/KFTA, Lowell, AR; by Justin Trobaugh; 1/17/25 A nonprofit organization introduced a new resource Jan. 17 for those in Northwest Arkansas who need home-based care. Circle of Life provides hospice and in-and-out patient care services, and it opened its Joey Feek Center for Home-Based Care in Lowell. The facility will serve 93% of the non-profit’s patients and was donated by the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. 

Hospice agency changes of ownership: An analysis  of publicly available ownership data Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation: Office of Behavioral Health, Disability, and Aging Policy; 1/10/25 ... Over time, the number of both Medicare enrollees receiving hospice care and hospice providers has grown. Between 2010 and 2022, the number of Medicare enrollees receiving hospice care grew by approximately 50%, while the number of hospice agencies grew by 69%. Growth in the hospice provider market was driven predominantly by a 125% increase in for-profit hospices, which represent a growing share (approximately three-quarters in 2021) of the hospice provider market. The shift toward for-profit ownership in the hospice industry has been driven not only by newly enrolling hospices, but also changes of ownership. For example, acquisitions of nonprofit hospice agencies by publicly traded corporations and private equity firms have contributed to the increase in market share of for-profit hospices.

Agrace expands hospice services into Milwaukee County Agrace.org; Press Release; 1/14/25 Residents of Milwaukee County who are in the final months of life have a new choice for high-quality, in-home hospice care. Agrace, the largest Wisconsin-based nonprofit hospice, has announced it is expanding its services into the county. For more than 45 years, Agrace Hospice Care has offered end-of-life care to people of all ages across southern Wisconsin. Milwaukee County residents can now enroll with Agrace to receive hospice care that comes to them where they live—in private homes, long-term care facilities or any other place they call home. In addition to a new regional office ... in Wauwatosa, Agrace has offices in Oconomowoc, Janesville, Dodgeville and Baraboo, and a hospice inpatient unit and residence in Madison. The Wauwatosa office is home base for an interdisciplinary care team that includes local hospice physician Andre Cernasov.