Local hospice center closing after 40 years in SLO. ‘Truly a devastating loss’
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- Wilshire Health will close June 30, ending 40 years of hospice care in SLO.
- Rising costs and falling reimbursements forced the nonprofit's shutdown decision.
- Nearly 100 staff will be laid off as patients transfer to other local providers.
Wilshire Health & Community Services, a San Luis Obispo-based hospice and community care center, will close its doors at the end of June after over four decades of operation on the Central Coast, citing financial difficulties.
Wilshire offered comprehensive at-home clinical health, senior and hospice care services like nursing, home aids and different types of therapy to thousands of patients across SLO and northern Santa Barbara counties.
June 30 will be the organization’s last day.
“For over 40 years, Wilshire has been a trusted provider of home health, hospice and community services,” Tricia Smith, president and CEO at Wilshire, said in a news release. “We are incredibly proud of the care we’ve delivered to thousands of individuals and families, and we are deeply grateful to our staff, volunteers, donors and community partners who helped fulfill our mission.”
SLO based hospice care center to close due to financial struggles
Mark Wilson, the vice president of business development for Wilshire, told The Tribune the closure does not have to do with loss of government funding under Trump administration cuts to nonprofits.
Nor was the passage of Proposition 1, which will transition mental health services funds for organizations like Wilshire to behavioral health programs in July of 2026, a factor into the decision.
Instead, the cost of doing business was simply outpacing its revenue, Wilson said.
“In recent years, a significant decline in reimbursement rates combined with rising operational costs has made it increasingly difficult for nonprofit providers like Wilshire to continue delivering high-quality care while remaining financially viable,” the release said. “Despite every effort to adapt, the current reimbursement environment has made continued operations unsustainable.”
The organization’s nearly 100 employees will be laid off at the end of the month when services end, Wilson said.
Wilshire is working to transition its patients to other local community service agencies and healthcare providers.
Shannon McOuat, the executive director of Hospice SLO County, told The Tribune the closure is “truly a devastating loss to this community.”
“This is a huge, huge loss for seniors in our community,” she said. “I think it’s possible they were the only organization providing mental health programs to seniors in their homes.”
Ending decades of service is a huge loss for Wilshire, too, but the organization is leaving with gratitude.
“Wilshire Health & Community Services extends its heartfelt thanks to the Central Coast community for decades of support and partnership,” the release said. “While this chapter is ending, the spirit of service and care that defined Wilshire will carry on in the lives it touched.”
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM.
