Literature Review

Great leadership in 2026 comes down to 4 human behaviors: technology may be changing how work gets done, but the fundamentals of leading people have not changed.Inc.; by Marcel Schwantes; 8/4/26For years, I’ve asked CEOs, executives, coaches, researchers, and managers a simple question: “What makes someone a great leader?” The answers rarely begin with strategy, technical expertise, or operational efficiency. They begin with trust.Great leaders know how to listen. They understand what people need to perform at their best. They use technology (now AI) without allowing it to weaken human connection. And they create workplaces where people feel both supported and accountable.These qualities have traditionally been called “soft skills.” In 2026, that description feels outdated. ... These are operating skills. ...

Hospice care in the era of AI: hospices' views on data-driven tools to support live discharge decisionsJournal of the American Geriatrics Society; by Elizabeth A. Luth, Caitlin Brennan, Susan Hurley, Kira G. Sheldon, Yongkang Zhang; 8/3/26 Live discharge occurs for 20% of hospice enrollees, resulting in loss of support and disruptive care transitions, with higher risk for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Little is understood about how data-driven clinical decision support tools (e.g., predictive algorithms) might support decision making regarding live discharge. ... This paper advances our understanding of multilevel factors hospices face in supporting patients discharged alive. It establishes hospices' interest in adopting data-driven tools to support live discharge and outlines criteria for successful development and implementation of these tools.

Hospice of Western Ky. hosts largest Camp Erin for grieving youthThe Messenger, Owensboro, KY; by The Messenger Staff; 8/4/26Hospice of Western Kentucky recently welcomed 55 children to its largest Camp Erin to date, providing a free overnight camp experience for young people grieving the loss of a loved one, according to a release. The camp was held July 31 through Aug. 2 at Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center in Bowling Green. This marked the fifth year Hospice of Western Kentucky has hosted Camp Erin for children ages 6 to 17. Camp Erin is offered at no cost to families through support from Eluna, Hospice of Western Kentucky and the New York Life Foundation, the release stated.

Addus on the hunt for M&A dealsHospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/4/26Addus Homecare (Nasdaq: ADUS) is hungry for acquisitions, with home care and skilled home health at the top of the menu. The company is seeking to build density and expand into new markets as it works to develop stronger relationships with Managed Care Organizations and other payers, according to Chairman and CEO Dirk Allison. “We had cash on hand of approximately $100 million [in Q2]. With our strong cash flow in the second quarter, we reduced our bank debt to $64.3 million, leaving us with the financial flexibility to consider larger acquisition opportunities as we continue to pursue expansion of our market reach and increasing our geographic density,” Allison said in an earnings call.

You may not be perfect in many things, but many things can't be perfect without you. 

Schoolgirl's response to being told about dad's terminal cancer BBC; by Lauren Hirst; 7/12/26  When Chris Capstick was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, his family made the decision not to use the word c-word in the house. Instead the disease was known as "daddy's little monsters" for the benefit of his two youngest children. ... "It was really, really hard," said the 30-year-old, who works as an arts coordinator for young people but has taken time away to support her husband. ... "Having a six-year-old and a two-year-old, we didn't really know how to navigate it." This is when the idea of writing a rhyming storybook with their eldest daughter Isabella, who is now aged six, was born. "We thought what a great thing to do little cartoon monsters in a way that aren't scary," said Lauren. ... Isabella wanted to write the book from her own perspective with lots of colorful illustrations on each page.   

Hospice's bad reputation amid fraud crisis will hurt patients, industry experts warn U.S. News & World Report; by Laurie Udesky and KFF Health News; 7/30/26... “The fraud situation has done a lot of damage to the reputation of hospices overall and undone a lot of the progress that had been made in destigmatizing hospice,” said Lauren Hunt, an associate professor at the University of California-San Francisco’s Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies who focuses on hospice care. “Policymakers should pursue targeted strategies that root out fraud and abuse without overburdening the many providers who are doing the right thing.” ... Hunt said she’s heard from California healthcare providers who are reluctant to refer patients to hospice because they’re unsure the patients will receive high-quality care and from patients who don’t know which hospice providers they can trust. 

Josh & Jase bring toys to Hospice of Michigan’s youngest patients, kick off special fundraiser MLive, Grand Rapids, MI; by Tanda Gmiter; 8/3/26 The British TikTok duo Josh & Jase are known for encouraging goodwill as they travel around our state. Last winter’s trek across Michigan saw their tour of Mel Trotter Ministries raise thousands of dollars for the shelter’s programs. This week, they invited their huge social media audience to see the good work being done by Hospice of Michigan, a non-profit that helps those near death - and their families. Josh & Jase visited some of the youngest patients and their families in what turned out to be an emotional day for the social media stars. “Today was one of those days that will stay with us forever,” they wrote on their Facebook account on Friday. ... The duo said they were impressed at how Hospice of Michigan’s staff can be there to support not just the patient, but entire families during what can be a very difficult and heartbreaking time.

Northern District of Texas charges 13 health care fraudsters for loss over $360 million United States Attorney's Office - Northern District of Texas; Press Release; 6/23/26 Catherine Nkeiru Maduka, 66, of Garland, Texas, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and health care fraud in connection with a hospice scheme, which resulted in over $3.1 million in false claims being submitted to Medicare. As alleged in the indictment, Maduka, the owner and CEO of Saint Catherine’s Hospice, recruited patients who were ineligible for hospice care and billed Medicare for services that were never provided.

Karen Cassidy’s seed of compassion continues to grow at Hildegard House Voice Tribune, Louisville, KY; by Alisha Proffitt; 8/3/26The idea that became Hildegard House began with a gap in care that Karen Cassidy encountered every day as a palliative care nurse practitioner. ... She cared for patients approaching the end of life who qualified for hospice but had nowhere to receive it. Some were homeless. Others lived alone without family or caregivers. Without a home and support, hospice was often out of reach. ... That vision is now Hildegard House, Kentucky's first and only comfort care home, where people without housing or loved ones to care for them can receive hospice services in a home setting. The organization partners with Hosparus Health while relying entirely on donations, grants, volunteers, and community support to provide care at no cost to residents. Today, more than 150 Compassionate Companion volunteers serve alongside nurses, physicians, staff, board members, gardeners, meal providers, and countless donors. All of which has grown from a seed of compassion Cassidy planted in this community. As she hands leadership to Becki Romans, Cassidy speaks of her gratitude. "I had a vision and a dream. But no one can do it alone." As she prepares her next steps forward into retirement, she leaves behind her a legacy of genuine love and care.Editor's Note: I'm honored to have known Karen through the years, and to currently serve on the Hildegard House's Board of Directors. Its mission, volunteer caregivers, community support, and leadership inspire me at each and every interaction. Read more about its "Hildegard" name. We celebrate Karen's visionary leadership, her new retirement, and Becki's leadership into new chapters ahead.

‘It felt like a home:’ Caring House hospice home, in Torrance, celebrates 10 years Daily Breeze, Torrance, CA; by Madeline Armstrong; 8/3/26 When Torrance resident Rick Willson, 65, learned his wife had Leukemia, he knew that her diagnosis was likely terminal. But three months later, when told she would require hospice care, Willson had no idea where to begin. ... That is when they found Caring House. Caring House is the only nonprofit hospice home in Los Angeles County and it just happened to be in the Willsons’ neighborhood. Caring House – an actual six bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home on El Dorado Street – is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Torrance this year.

Hospice groups ‘disappointed’ by 2027 Final Rule Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/3/26 Hospice organizations are expressing “disappointment” following the release of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) hospice final rule for 2027. A chief sticking point was the 2.3% base rate increase, which was less than the 2.4% the agency originally proposed. Members of industry trade groups contend that this is an insufficient amount in today’s economy and cost environment. ... New for 2027, the Service and Spending Variation Index (SSVI) includes a scoring system using nine claims-based measures, each representing different aspects of hospice utilization as well as non-hospice spending. This is designed to identify hospices in need of increased transparency and oversight. CMS established the SSVI amid the agency’s concerns over non-hospice spending in particular. The Alliance, LeadingAge and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) opposed the SSVI in comments on the proposed rule.