Home Care Executive Forecast: 2019 Trends, Challenges, Opportunities

From an ongoing labor crunch to evolving Medicare Advantage opportunities, U.S. home care providers face numerous challenges but also exciting opportunities heading into 2019. Many private-duty players anticipate tech investments and increasing integration with the overall health care system, as revealed in these forecasts from CEOs and upper level executives. In 2019, older adults and […]

ComForCare Sees ‘Gray Area’ of Private-Duty Nursing as Big Opportunity

Earlier in December, international home care franchiser ComForCare announced plans to roll out a private-duty nursing program across its sprawling franchise network. The strategy is yet another example of the blurring of lines between home health and home care labels, ComForCare officials told Home Health Care News. “Most people want to try to put agencies […]

Home Care Agencies Mobilize for Post-Holiday Referral Rush

The holidays and weeks that follow are one of the busiest times of year for home care providers, as referrals surge. Whether the rush brings in business or results in missed opportunities depends on how agencies prepare. ”The first thing is to simply understand that this trend is there,” Peter Droubay, director of recruiting at […]

Nurse Next Door Enters International Market, Expands Full-time Work Initiative

With more than 150 franchises in the United States and Canada, Nurse Next Door adds new locations frequently. But the Vancouver-based home care company is about to enter uncharted territory, with a Melbourne location set to open before Christmas and a number of domestic caregiver, technology and growth priorities for 2019. Nurse Next Door’s Melbourne […]

Home Care Remains Seniors’ Preference, But Alternatives Gaining Steam

While seniors continue to favor in-home care over alternatives, that preference could weaken in the years to come. Care options that have long been considered less favorable are gaining steam, at least according to one new study. The paper examined a random sample of 1,783 adults age 65 or older who participated in the 2012 […]

Lifesprk Venture Reduces Health System Readmissions, Adds Innovator Bill Thomas

When Homespire launched in May, the goal of the new private-duty home care model was simple: Use an in-home approach to cut health care costs, reduce rehospitalization rates and prevent emergency room visits for Utah’s rapidly aging population. Six months later, the joint venture between Intermountain Healthcare and Lifesprk is already reaching key benchmarks, most […]

Home Care Giant BrightSpring to Merge with Major LTC Pharmacy PharMerica

Home- and community-based care giant BrightSpring Health Services — formerly known as ResCare — plans to merge with pharmacy company PharMerica. The two companies will be under the private equity ownership of KKR, with an affiliate of Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA) holding a minority stake, according to an announcement issued Tuesday. Full financial terms […]

Tech Startup Raises $35 Million, Plans to Unveil Virtual Caregiver

In the midst of an ongoing labor crunch, one electronic health monitoring company is rolling out a virtual caregiver named “Addison” and is positioning itself to work with private-duty home care agencies. SameDay Security has raised $35 million to make it happen. The funds, of which about $32 million came from the recently completed Series […]

Humana Touts New Leadership, Realignment; Amedisys Alum Joins Elara Caring

Humana Announces Strategic Leadership, Care Delivery Changes Insurance giant Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) has hired a new chief strategy and corporate development officer. Vishal Agrawal, M.D., previously of Washington, D.C.-based financial services and investment firm the Carlyle Group, steps into the position on Dec. 10. In the new role, Agrawal will spearhead advancing the company’s […]