YoloCares Launches Basketball Grief Program for Male Youths

YoloCares recently rolled out a new bereavement program aimed at reaching the underserved demographic of young males. The California-based hospice’s GriefBall initiative included a two-day basketball camp for bereaved boys and young men. YoloCares’ Center for Loss & Hope partnered with the Sutter Health Foundation and the Junior Kings youth basketball camp, which is affiliated […]

Hospice Tech Execs Have Changing Role in Age of AI

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the hospice space is changing how chief information officers and other technology-focused leaders are approaching their jobs. Hospices nationwide are investing in AI systems to transform virtually every aspect of their businesses. This includes both nonprofit and for-profit providers and organizations of all sizes, though larger, well-capitalized companies […]

Rebranding a ‘Huge Success’ in Improved Hospice Access

Some rebranded organizations that have recently removed “hospice” from their company name are seeing increased awareness, utilization and other positive results. A rebrand can sometimes better position a hospice in terms of improved awareness, according to Tony Kudner, chief strategy officer of Transcend Strategy Group. Formerly RP Marketing, the Ohio-headquartered consulting firm works with hospice […]

Empath Health Unveils Dementia Education Program for Clinicians, Caregivers, First Responders

Florida-based Empath Health has launched a new dementia program that combines provider and caregiver education with clinical care. The nonprofit will provide training to staff from other healthcare organizations, first responders and family caregivers, as well as providing clinical services via the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation’s (CMMI) Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model, according […]

NCPPCH CEO: Building Stronger End-of-Life Pediatric Support

Families often experience complex emotional, physical and logistical challenges when a child has a serious or terminal condition. Slow-moving state and federal policy are not keeping pace with the growing demand for improved support. This September, the Hospice News Elevate podcast explores the legislative, operational and financial keys to expanded support and access among underserved […]

Hospices Have ‘Learning Curves’ in AI Use, Risks

Hospices’ compliance and legal risks could be rising alongside their increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, according to law experts. More providers are leaning into AI-enabled tools to improve quality, compliance and clinical documentation, according to Bryan Nowicki, partner at the law firm Husch Blackwell. Hospice organizations that are not currently considering or using […]

Moratorium Morphs Hospice Affiliation Landscape

A national temporary ban on new Medicare enrollment could have long-term impacts on hospice affiliations among nonprofit providers. Fraudsters have bilked billions of Medicare dollars posing as new legitimate providers. The program integrity issues moved the moratoria forward and caused a trickle effect on mergers, acquisitions, affiliations and organic growth in the hospice space. This […]

Death Over Thai Food: VITAS’ Unique Approach to Grief Care 

A VITAS Healthcare chaplain has developed a unique bereavement care program in the San Francisco Bay area.  Twice a month, VITAS Chaplain Jonah Sanderson convenes a group of 20 grieving family members for a Thai dinner at Thaibodia in Campbell, California. These “Death Over Thai Food” events are designed to foster peer-to-peer support, discussions about […]

Hospice at the ‘Core’ of Ennoble Care’s Expansion in 5 New States

New Jersey-headquartered Ennoble Care has added five new states to its geographic footprint. Ennoble Care provides home-based hospice, palliative and primary care in 15 states and the District of Columbia. The hospice and palliative care provider recently stepped into Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas. The new expansion presents an opportunity to bring more home-based […]

Understanding Low Hospice Utilization Among ESRD Patients 

Hospice care is underutilized among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, often due to systemic factors.  More than 831,000 Americans are living with kidney failure, according to the National Institutes of Health. In 2023 alone, new cases totaled 131,564. Yet, end-stage renal disease patients in 2024 represented 1.3% of Medicare decedents who elected the Medicare Hospice Benefit, the National Alliance for […]