Wichita, Kan., AIDS hospice forced to close

A group home and hospice for people with AIDS in Wichita, Kan., operated by ConnectCare, closed last week because its services were no longer needed and because the agency's funding had dropped off, The Wichita Eagle reports. The group home had been open for nearly 10 years and had served about 200 people during its existence. Officials with ConnectCare said that because people with AIDS are living longer, healthier lives, the need for hospice care has fallen dramatically. In the past few months the ConnectCare facility had been serving as a transitional home for HIV-positive people who were seeking permanent housing assistance. The house was Wichita's only assisted living facility for AIDS patients. Joe Kelly, ConnectCare executive director, said only the live-in facility is affected by the closure--the agency will continue to operate a drop-in center, a food pantry, case management services, transportation assistance, and a 24-hour information hotline.