South Carolina Home Care & Hospice Association

01/29/2026

Technology plays a growing role in home-based care—but with innovation comes risk.

A new ECRI report identifies the biggest health technology threats of 2026, including AI misuse, cyberattacks, device safety issues, and breakdowns in communication around recalls. These challenges could impact patient safety and care delivery across home care, home health, and hospice organizations.

As technology continues to evolve, providers must stay informed, prepared, and proactive to ensure safe, reliable care for the patients and families they serve.

Read the report: https://home.ecri.org/blogs/ecri-news/examining-the-greatest-health-technology-threats-of-2026

A Closer Look at ECRI’s Top Ten Health Tech Hazards – from AI Chatbots to “Digital Darkness” and beyond Providing safe and effective patient care requires identifying sources of danger or difficulty with healthcare technologies. For nearly two decades, ECRI’s annual research report on the ...

01/28/2026

New research is helping explain one of the most painful realities of Alzheimer’s disease: why patients lose the ability to recognize the people they love.

Scientists have identified brain structures that protect “social memory,” and early findings suggest that preserving these structures could help slow or prevent this type of memory loss. This breakthrough could reshape how we understand Alzheimer’s—and how we support patients and families in the future.

For home care, home health, and hospice providers, this research highlights the importance of early intervention, person-centered care, and innovative approaches to preserving connection, dignity, and quality of life.

Read more on this fascinating study: https://scitechdaily.com/why-alzheimers-patients-forget-their-loved-ones-and-how-scientists-may-stop-it/

Protective brain structures called perineuronal nets play a critical role in preserving social memory and may offer a new target for Alzheimer’s treatment. For many families affected by Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most devastating experiences is when a loved one can no longer recognize them.

01/23/2026

Supporting patients and families goes far beyond clinical care. In a recent Elevate podcast episode, Margot Lambright of BAYADA Hospice shares how psychosocial teams can identify families at higher emotional risk and implement meaningful, documented interventions that strengthen care delivery.

Her insights highlight the growing importance of psychosocial support in hospice—and the practical strategies organizations can use to better serve patients and caregivers.

🎧 Listen to the episode: https://hospicenews.com/2026/01/20/elevate-podcast-margot-lambright-division-director-for-psychosocial-support-bayada-hospice/

https://hospice-news.castos.com/episodes/margot-lambright-division-director-for-psychosocial-support-bayada-hospice In this episode of Hospice News’

01/22/2026

Congress is taking a major step toward sustaining virtual care. A new House spending bill proposes extending Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2027 and the hospital-at-home waiver through 2030—helping ensure continued access to care for patients nationwide.

If approved, the legislation could strengthen innovation, expand rural access, and provide stability for providers navigating the future of healthcare delivery.

This momentum underscores the importance of long-term policy solutions that support telehealth and home-based care.

Read more: https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/2026-house-spending-bill-proposes-2-year-telehealth-and-5-year-hospital-home-waiver-extensions

ATA says the proposed FY2026 funding package released by the House Appropriations Committee ensures continued access to patient services through critical telehealth provisions.

01/21/2026

💭 Thinking about bringing a loved one into your home? This honest caregiving story from AARP explores why moving a parent in — even with the best intentions — may not always be the right choice, especially when health and emotional needs are involved. From the challenges of adjusting to a new environment to lessons learned about planning, support, and grace for yourself as a caregiver, this piece is a must-read for anyone in the sandwich generation and beyond. 💙 https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/caregiving-lessons-moving-mom-in/

A sandwich-generation caregiver wonders if it was a mistake to have her mother live with her when she started showing signs of dementia

01/16/2026

The future of home care and hospice in South Carolina depends on strong advocacy—and that starts with YOU.

On February 4, providers and industry leaders from across the state will gather at the South Carolina Legislature for Home Care & Hospice Advocacy Day. This is a critical opportunity to speak directly with policymakers, share real-world impact, and advocate for the patients and caregivers we serve every day.

📅 February 4
📍 South Carolina State House
⏳ Registration is open—but time is running out.

👉 Register today and make your voice heard - https://ow.ly/ecQC50XXclC

01/15/2026

🏡 VA Care — Right From Home!

For many Veterans, getting to medical appointments can be difficult. Thanks to VA telehealth services, Veterans like a Long Island Army Veteran are now able to receive most of their care from home — where they’re comfortable and supported.

📲 VA provides tablets and tech support so Veterans can connect with their care teams through secure video visits.
🧘 Free virtual chair yoga and home equipment like stair lifts help Veterans stay active and independent.

Telehealth is helping Veterans stay healthy, connected, and supported — without the stress of travel. 💙

Read more on this topic:

A Veteran explains how VA telehealth helps him stay connected to care from home through virtual classes and home-based support.

01/14/2026

📢 Home Medical Equipment Industry Facing Major Strain

At a recent Congressional hearing, *AAHomecare CEO Tom Ryan warned that about 37% of HME suppliers have gone out of business due to unsustainable Medicare reimbursement and competitive bidding impacts.

This loss of suppliers puts Medicare patients — especially those needing oxygen, mobility devices, and other essential home equipment — at risk of reduced access and longer wait times.

Ryan urged Congress to support legislation that would improve reimbursement and protect access to critical care technology. 📦🩺

Ensuring sustainable policy and stronger reimbursement structures is essential to keep patients equipped and independent at home.

🔗 https://hme-business.com/aahomecare-ceo-to-congressional-subcommittee-we-believe-37-of-the-industry-has-gone-out-of-business/

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Tom Ryan, the president/CEO of the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare), urged members of Congress to protect Medicare beneficiaries’ access to durable medical equipment (DME) during a three-hour meeting of the Energy and Commerce’s health subcommittee on Jan. 8. About 30 members of Co...

01/13/2026

🧡 Hospice Trends to Watch in 2026

What’s ahead for hospice care this year? Hospice News highlights five major trends shaping the future of the industry — from renewed M&A activity and growing use of AI to stronger support for family caregivers and changing conversations around end-of-life care.

These shifts signal important opportunities for providers focused on innovation, efficiency, and compassionate care.
📖 Read the full article https://hospicenews.com/2026/01/12/5-hospice-trends-to-watch-in-2026/

Hospice leaders will need to keep their eyes on five key trends in the new year when it comes to compliance, business operations, finance and perceptions

01/12/2026

🔍 2026 Home Care Forecast: What Industry Leaders Are Saying

Nine home care executives share insights on the most pressing challenges shaping the industry in 2026 — including workforce constraints, reimbursement pressures, and the growing role of technology and automation.

Despite ongoing hurdles, leaders see opportunity in innovation, collaboration, and smarter operational models to sustain and strengthen care delivered at home.

👉 Read the full forecast from Home Health Care News:
https://ow.ly/5xIF50XVGg0

In 2026, emerging tools and staffing strategies may help home care providers ease the operational and labor bottlenecks limiting growth – but success will

01/07/2026

CMS has announced the launch of the Long-term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) Model, a 10-year accountable care organization payment model that will begin in 2027.

The LEAD Model is designed to:
• Improve care coordination for beneficiaries with complex needs
• Support stronger collaboration across providers, including hospice and palliative care
• Build on lessons learned from ACO REACH while expanding opportunities for rural and independent practices

As CMS continues to evolve value-based payment strategies, the LEAD Model represents a significant step toward more integrated, patient-centered care across the continuum.

🔗 Read more: https://hospicenews.com/2026/01/06/cms-launches-new-lead-model/

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched a new Accountable Care Organization-focused (ACO) payment model demonstration.

01/06/2026

Family caregivers are doing incredible work — but many aren’t given the support or training they need to succeed. 💙 A former ICU and home health nurse says healthcare providers should require family caregiver education to help families confidently manage complex care at home.

👉 With better education, caregivers can feel more prepared, reduce stress, and improve outcomes for loved ones. This is about respecting caregivers as essential members of the care team, not just unpaid helpers.

Read more --> https://ow.ly/XXY950XSttA

A former intensive care and home health nurse, Lana Wilhelm, has leveraged her experience as both a nurse and a family caregiver to found an organization