As the Q4 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the senior health, home health & hospice industry, including Brookdale (NYSE: BKD) and its peers.

The senior health, home care, and hospice care industries provide essential services to aging populations and patients with chronic or terminal conditions. These companies benefit from stable, recurring revenue driven by relationships with patients and families that can extend many months or even years. However, the labor-intensive nature of the business makes it vulnerable to rising labor costs and staffing shortages, while profitability is constrained by reimbursement rates from Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers. Looking ahead, the industry is positioned for tailwinds from an aging population, increasing chronic disease prevalence, and a growing preference for personalized in-home care. Advancements in remote monitoring and telehealth are expected to enhance efficiency and care delivery. However, headwinds such as labor shortages, wage inflation, and regulatory uncertainty around reimbursement could pose challenges. Investments in digitization and technology-driven care will be critical for long-term success.

The 7 senior health, home health & hospice stocks we track reported a slower Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.1%.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 7.4% since the latest earnings results.

Brookdale (NYSE: BKD)

With a network of over 650 communities serving approximately 59,000 residents across 41 states, Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE: BKD) operates senior living communities across the United States, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities.

Brookdale reported revenues of $754.1 million, down 3.4% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and full-year EBITDA guidance meeting analysts’ expectations.

"Brookdale's fourth quarter results continued the positive momentum displayed throughout 2025, as we position Brookdale to capitalize on increasing industry demand in a suppressed supply growth environment," said Nick Stengle, Brookdale's Chief Executive Officer.

Brookdale delivered the slowest revenue growth of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 9.5% since reporting and currently trades at $15.00.

Read our full report on Brookdale here, it’s free.

Best Q4: BrightSpring Health Services (NASDAQ: BTSG)

Founded in 1974, BrightSpring Health Services (NASDAQ: BTSG) offers home health care, hospice, neuro-rehabilitation, and pharmacy services.

BrightSpring Health Services reported revenues of $3.55 billion, up 16.3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5%. The business had a strong quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and full-year EBITDA guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.

BrightSpring Health Services scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 1.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $40.60.

Is now the time to buy BrightSpring Health Services? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Chemed (NYSE: CHE)

With a unique business model combining end-of-life care and household services, Chemed (NYSE: CHE) operates two distinct businesses: VITAS, which provides hospice care for terminally ill patients, and Roto-Rooter, which offers plumbing and water restoration services.

Chemed reported revenues of $639.3 million, flat year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Chemed delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 9% since the results and currently trades at $424.69.

Read our full analysis of Chemed’s results here.

AdaptHealth (NASDAQ: AHCO)

With a network of approximately 680 locations serving patients across all 50 states, AdaptHealth (NASDAQ: AHCO) provides home medical equipment, supplies, and related services to patients with chronic conditions like sleep apnea, diabetes, and respiratory disorders.

AdaptHealth reported revenues of $846.3 million, down 1.2% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 2.1%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

AdaptHealth scored the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is down 8.6% since reporting and currently trades at $9.41.

Read our full, actionable report on AdaptHealth here, it’s free.

Addus HomeCare (NASDAQ: ADUS)

Serving approximately 66,000 clients across 22 states with a focus on "dual eligible" Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, Addus HomeCare (NASDAQ: ADUS) provides in-home personal care, hospice, and home health services to elderly, chronically ill, and disabled individuals.

Addus HomeCare reported revenues of $373.1 million, up 25.6% year on year. This result met analysts’ expectations. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it underperformed in some other aspects of the business.

The stock is down 12.1% since reporting and currently trades at $103.43.

Read our full, actionable report on Addus HomeCare here, it’s free.

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