Issue #1 · June 30, 2026
Who do your loved ones trust for health information? It matters more than you think.
Welcome to the very first issue of The Best Hospice and Home Health Brief. We're glad you're here.
Let's start with something that hits close to home for anyone helping an aging parent or loved one make health decisions: trust. A new KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust found that people who don't have a trusted health care provider are significantly more likely to believe common myths about vaccines. The same goes for people who regularly turn to social media or AI tools for health information. This matters for elder care families because older adults managing chronic conditions are often the most vulnerable to misinformation, and the people helping them make decisions may be getting their information from unreliable sources without realizing it.
At the same time, the conversation around AI in health care is getting louder and more urgent. Dr. Toyin Ajayi, CEO of Cityblock Health, recently made the case that while AI is everywhere in health care right now, the real question is whether it actually improves outcomes for patients. Her organization serves over 100,000 Medicaid and dual eligible members, many of them people of color managing chronic conditions. Her point is sharp and worth hearing: technology is only useful if it helps real people get better care. For families weighing hospice or home health options, the takeaway is simple. Ask providers what they're actually doing to improve your loved one's quality of life, not just what tools they're using.
If you or someone you love is helping an older family member make health decisions, take a moment to think about where that person gets their health information. Are they scrolling social media for answers? Asking an AI chatbot? The KFF data makes it clear that these sources tend to lead people toward believing things that simply aren't true, especially around vaccines. That has real consequences when you're making decisions about flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, RSV vaccines, or COVID boosters for someone who is medically fragile.
The single most protective factor the poll identified was having a trusted health care provider. If your loved one doesn't have a primary care doctor they trust, or if they've lost that relationship due to a move, a retirement, or a transition into home health or hospice care, rebuilding that connection should be a priority. A hospice nurse, a home health aide, or a palliative care physician can fill that role. Don't underestimate how much it matters to have a real person your family trusts when confusing or scary health information shows up on a screen.
Big news on the Medicare front: nearly 3.8 million Medicare beneficiaries may be eligible for the new Temporary Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program, which will cover certain GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss. These medications, which include drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, have been generating enormous buzz, and until now Medicare generally did not cover them when prescribed solely for weight management. The bridge program changes that for qualifying beneficiaries based on specific clinical criteria.
Why does this matter for families dealing with elder care? Obesity and related chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease are among the most common reasons older adults need home health services or end up in long term care settings. If your loved one has been paying out of pocket for one of these medications, or if their doctor has recommended one but cost was a barrier, it is worth checking whether they qualify. Talk to their prescribing physician or a Medicare counselor. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to ask about eligibility. Programs like this can be easy to miss if nobody tells you about them, and that is exactly why we're here.
This is our first issue, and we're so glad you're reading it. We started Best Hospice and Home Health because finding the right care for someone you love should not feel like a second job. Our service is completely free for families. We connect you with verified hospice and home care providers across the country, and we never charge you a penny for it. If this newsletter was helpful, please forward it to a friend, a coworker, a neighbor, or anyone you know who is caring for an aging loved one. Nobody should have to figure this out alone.