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                                                                   Exhibit 10.24

                          VISTA HOSPICE CARE LETTERHEAD

July 31, 1998

Perry G. Fine, M.D.
3?30 Millcreek Road
Salt Lake City, UT 84109

Dear Perry:

I apologize for the delay in getting this letter out to memorialize our
conversation regarding the change in your compensation. You are a delight to
work with and have made a significant contribution to our current success. Our
future will no doubt be brighter due to your continued efforts.

As of July 1, 1998, your base salary will be raised to $150,000 reflecting the
change from part time to full time status. This salary will be reviewed and
adjusted on an annual basis. In addition to your base salary, you will be
eligible for a 40% bonus based on meeting both personal and company objectives.
In addition to this short-term compensation, you have been awarded an additional
100,000 options which will bear an exercise price of $1.50. The option agreement
for the additional shares is attached and should be signed and returned to Ann
Marie.

Again, Perry, thank you for making such a difference to VistaCare. I look
forward to working with you for the many years to come!

Warm regards,

Barry M. Smith
President

Enclosure<PAGE>
                                                                  Exhibit 10.25

          Settlement Agreement, Buy-Sell Agreement and Mutual Release

David Daucher and VistaCare, Inc., its owners, directors, officers, agents,
attorneys, insurers, employees, representatives, trustees, administrators,
fiduciaries, parents, subsidiaries, divisions, partners, joint ventures, sister
corporations and/or affiliated business entities, predecessors, successors,
heirs, assignees, jointly and severally, in both their personal and corporate
capacities (hereinafter "VistaCare"), having negotiated a settlement, the
following terms are agreed upon, including attorneys fees and costs:

      1.  VistaCare will pay a total of $750,000.  This amount will be
apportioned as follows:

                  $247,500 as and for severance pay.
                  $502,500 as and for the repurchase of Daucher's stock.

      2. Payment will be made by draft or check, sent to the Langerman Law
Offices, made payable to David Daucher.

      3. Payment will be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 5, 2002. Any
payment received after March 5, 2002 will bear interest at a rate of 10%
retroactive to February 12, 2002, until paid.

      4.  Daucher will deliver his stock shares to Stephen Lewis of VistaCare
on or before 5:00 p.m. on March 5, 2002.

      5.  VistaCare, Inc. will issue a 1099 for the above funds and mail it to
David Daucher no later than January 31, 2003 at 6630 E. Solano Drive, Paradise
Valley, AZ 85253.

      6. The parties each agree to fully release each other from any and all
claims, demands, liens, agreements, covenants, actions, suits at law or equity,
obligations, debts, damages, judgments, liabilities, attorneys' fees, costs, and
expenses of whatever kind, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that may
have arisen at any time prior to the date of this agreement, including any
claims growing out of or relating in any way to plaintiff's employment with or
termination of employment from VistaCare and all claims under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act and under the Older Workers Benefit Protection
Act. Daucher expressly agrees that all options referred to in his employment
agreement are extinguished.

      7.  The parties agree that they will not say anything disparaging about
the other.

      8.  Each party will bear their own costs and fees.

      9. Daucher acknowledges that he will be exclusively liable for the payment
of his federal, state and local taxes, if any, which may be due as a result of
the monetary consideration received pursuant to this Agreement and that he will
hold harmless and indemnify VistaCare for any failure of his part to pay his tax
liability, if any.
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      10. Daucher warrants that he has not filed suit against VistaCare as of
the signing of this agreement nor has he filed any other claim or charge against
VistaCare before any governmental or administrative agency.

      11. The parties acknowledge that they have each carefully read this
agreement, that they understand the terms and conditions contained therein, and
that they have entered into this agreement voluntarily, knowingly and without
duress or coercion, with full understanding of the terms and consequences
thereof, and that they have each obtained the advice of counsel during the
negotiation of this agreement.

      12. Plaintiff acknowledges that this release and waiver of claims arising
under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and under the Older Worker
Benefit Protection Act is knowing and voluntary. Further, Plaintiffs acknowledge
that this agreement is written in a manner that is understood by them. Finally,
Plaintiffs acknowledge that the Settlement agreement is new consideration and is
in addition to anything of value to which plaintiffs were already entitled.
Daucher is advised that, prior to waiving claims he may have under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, he may take up to twenty-one (21) days to
consider this Agreement before signing, and he may revoke this Agreement within
seven (7) calendar days after he signs this Agreement. In the event this
Agreement is signed prior to the expiration of 21 days, Daucher acknowledges
that he has voluntarily and knowingly agreed to waive his entitlement to take 21
days to consider this Agreement for the purpose of expediting the settlement.
Daucher agrees that if he wishes to revoke this agreement, he will do so by
sending his written notice via certified mail to VistaCare's counsel, Richard
Cohen, at 40 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004, to arrive on or before the
end of the revocation period.

      13. This Agreement will be effective after the expiration of the seven day
revocation period outlined in Section 12, above.

      14. It is expressly understood that this Agreement is being entered solely
for the purpose of settling matters set forth in this Agreement. Neither party
admits to any wrongdoing.

      15. The parties agree that the amount of the settlement will be
confidential, subject to disclosure for tax, legal and financial planning.

      This agreement is dated this 12th day of February, 2002.

       /s/ David Daucher                   /s/ Stephen Lewis
      ------------------------            ------------------------
           David Daucher                       Stephen Lewis

       /s/ Amy Langerman                   /s/ Richard Cohen
      ------------------------            ------------------------
           Amy Langerman,                      Richard Cohen,
            as to form                          as to form<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10.26

                        FULL AND FINAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

         This Full and Final Release of Claims (the "Release") is made and
entered into by and between Vista Hospice Care, Inc. ("VistaCare") and Lois
Armstrong ("Ms. Armstrong").

         1. PAYMENT. Ms. Armstrong's last day of employment with VistaCare was
May 29, 2001. However, upon her execution of this Release, she will receive the
following consideration, which is not available through any policy of VistaCare
and only through this agreement, as follows:

         (a)      Payment of two hundred fifty thousand ($250,000.00) which will
                  be paid in one installment following five (5) business days
                  after execution and completion of the non-revocation period of
                  this agreement.

         2. RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS. In exchange for the payments set forth above
and other good and valuable consideration, Ms. Armstrong waives all claims
against VistaCare, Inc., Vista Hospice Care, Inc., and any and all of their
parents, subsidiaries, or affiliate entities, principals, shareholders,
officers, employees, insurers and agents (collectively, the "Releases") arising
out of her employment with VistaCare or separation from that employment. Ms.
Armstrong expressly acknowledges and agrees that this Release includes without
limitation any claim or lawsuit arising under the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Equal Pay Act, the
American With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and any other
federal and/or state statute or local ordinance or any common law cause of
action including, without limitation, claims for breach of contract,
Whistleblower claims, wrongful discharge, or claim of personal injury. Ms.
Armstrong agrees that she will in no way disparage, demean, make negative
comments about or take negative action against VistaCare or assist in any way
any other individual or entity attempting to make or making a claim of any type
unless required by law or court order, Armstrong further agrees that she will
file the appropriate form(s) and will withdraw any and all charge(s) that she
has filed with the EEOC or any other agency regarding her employment or the
termination of employment from Vistacare.

         3. TRADE SECRETS AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT. During the term of her
employment with VistaCare, Ms. Armstrong has obtained information and data
concerning the business and affairs of VistaCare, including but not limited to
information concerning VistaCare's national marketing and acquisition plans
("Trade Secrets"). Ms. Armstrong acknowledges that all such Confidential
Information is and will remain the property of VistaCare. As used in this
Release, Trade Secrets also includes all information of a business, financial,
marketing, technical or other nature pertaining to VistaCare, its affiliates or
their affairs and all other information that Ms. Armstrong has agreed not to
disclose, unless and to the extent that Confidential Information has entered or
enters the public domain through no fault of Ms. Armstrong. Ms. Armstrong agrees
to make no use whatsoever, directly or indirectly, of any Trade Secrets
following separation of her employment and represents that she promptly returned
to VistaCare all VistaCare property, materials, or information, whether
confidential or otherwise, at the time of or immediately following the last day
of employment with VistaCare. Ms. Armstrong further acknowledges and agrees that
due to the unique services she has provided to VistaCare, she has knowledge of
Confidential Information that if disclosed or utilized would
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result in the irreparable loss of VistaCare's goodwill and competitive position.
In order to protect VistaCare's goodwill and competitive position, and in
exchange for the consideration granted in this Release, Ms. Armstrong agrees
that she will not compete, directly or indirectly, with VistaCare or its
affiliates until after December 31, 2001, whether as an owner, agent, employee,
director, officer, consultant or otherwise of a company or business in the same
or similar line of business as VistaCare and located anywhere within the United
States. This Agreement shall not prevent Armstrong from contacting employers,
who may be competitors of Vistacare, from the date of signing this Agreement
until December 31, 2001 to secure employment after December 31, 2001.

         4. NON SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES. Ms. Armstrong agrees not to solicit,
induce, or encourage, or attempt to solicit, induce, or encourage, any VistaCare
employee to terminate his or her employment with VistaCare or to accept
employment with any competitor, supplier, or customer of VistaCare for a period
of six (6) months. For purposes of this provision, the term "solicit, induce, or
encourage" includes, but is not limited to: (a) initiating communications with a
VistaCare employee relating to possible employment; (b) offering bonuses or
additional compensation to encourage VistaCare employees to terminate their
employment with VistaCare and accept employment with a competitor, supplier or
customer of VistaCare; or (c) referring VistaCare employees to personnel or
agents employed by competitors, suppliers, or customers of VistaCare for the
purpose of potential employment with the competitor, supplier or customer.

         5. CONFIDENTIALITY. Ms. Armstrong agrees that the terms of this
Release, including the payment made hereunder, are confidential and shall not be
divulged to any third party except for Ms. Armstrong's tax advisor and/or her
attorney who shall be advised of this confidentiality provision.

         6. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES - CONFIDENTIALITY. In the event that Ms.
Armstrong violates any aspect of the Paragraph 5 of this Agreement, she
acknowledges that said breach shall cause damage to VistaCare, and Ms. Armstrong
further agrees to be obligated to pay VistaCare the sum of sixty thousand
dollars ($60,000.00) for breach of the Confidentiality Agreement as liquidated
damages, an amount which the Parties have agreed upon as being a fair and
reasonable approximation of damages which are otherwise difficult to quantify.

         7. NOTIFICATION. Ms. Armstrong agrees to immediately notify, orally and
in writing the President and CEO or Vice President of Human Resources of
VistaCare if she is contacted by any federal, state, or local government agency
or body, or any individual or entity acting on behalf of a government agency or
body, regarding VistaCare or any events or individuals about which she may have
knowledge as a result of her employment with VistaCare. Ms. Armstrong further
agrees to cooperate with VistaCare in any governmental investigations, audits,
or proceedings that relate to VistaCare or to its present or former employees,
officers, directors, independent contractors, or patients.

         8. REMEDIES. Without limiting the remedies available to VistaCare, Ms.
Armstrong acknowledges that a breach of paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and/or 8 of
this Release could result in irreparable injury to VistaCare for which there
would be no adequate remedy at law, and that, in the event of such a breach or
threat thereof, VistaCare will be entitled to obtain a temporary
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restraining order and/or a preliminary injunction and a permanent injunction
refraining her from engaging in any activities prohibited by this Release or
such other equitable relief as may be required to enforce specifically any of
the terms of this Release.

         9. GOVERNING LAW, FORUM SELECTION. This Release will be governed and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona. Ms. Armstrong
hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States
District Court for the District of Arizona for any dispute arising out of or
relating to this Agreement and Ms. Armstrong irrevocably agrees that all claims
in respect to such dispute or any suit, action, or proceeding related thereto
may be heard and determined in such court. Ms. Armstrong irrevocably waives, to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection she may now or
hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such dispute brought in any such
court.

         10. CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY. Ms. Armstrong hereby acknowledges that
she has consulted with her attorney of her own choosing, Tod F. Schleier, before
executing this Release.

         11. ADEQUATE CONSIDERATION. Ms. Armstrong acknowledges that she is
receiving adequate consideration for the rights and claims she is waiving under
this Release and for the obligations imposed upon her by virtue of this Release.

         12. TIME TO CONSIDER SIGNING WAIVER. Ms. Armstrong ahs been provided
twenty-one (21) days in which to review, sign, and return this Release. In
addition, she has seven (7) days after signing the Release to change her mind
and submit a written revocation of her agreement to this Release. Should Ms.
Armstrong exercise her right to revoke under this provision, Ms. Armstrong
agrees to repay any funds paid pursuant to this Release.

         13. SEVERABILITY. Each provision, section, and subsection of this
Agreement is separable from every other provision, section, and subsection, and
constitutes a separate and distinct covenant. If any provision, section, or
subsection of this Agreement is adjudged by a court to be invalid, ineffective,
or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this adjudication shall not affect the
validity of the remainder of this Agreement, including any other provision,
section, or subsection. The invalid, ineffective, or unenforceable provision
will, without further action by the parties, be automatically amended to effect
the original purpose and intent of the invalid, ineffective, or unenforceable
provision.

         14. COMPLETE AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING. This Release embodies the
complete agreement and understanding between VistaCare and Ms. Armstrong
concerning its subject matter, and supersedes and preempts any prior
understandings, agreements, or representations between them, whether written or
oral.

         15. KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY EXECUTION. Having elected to sign this
Release and to fulfill the promises set forth herein, Ms. Armstrong freely and
knowingly and after due reflection enters into this Release intending to waive
and release all claims she has or might now have against the Releasees. She
knowingly and voluntarily executes this Release on her own behalf and on behalf
of any heirs, agents, representatives, successors and assigns that she might
have now or in the future.
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         16. CHARACTERIZATION FOR TAX PURPOSES. Armstrong acknowledges that she
will be exclusively liable for the payment of all federal, state, and local
taxes, if any, which may be due as a result of the monetary consideration
received pursuant to this Agreement. In addition, if Vistacare or its agents or
insurers are at any time held liable to pay any taxes or other amounts,
including, without limitation, penalties or interest, for failing to withhold
taxes on the payment made to Armstrong pursuant to this Agreement, or on account
of Armstrong failing to pay taxes on such payment, Armstrong agrees to indemnify
VistaCare and the released parties and hold them harmless for payment of any
such taxes or other amounts.

         17. RESIGNATION. Armstrong's employment record will reflect that she
voluntarily resigned from her position with VistaCare.

                                                     By:/s/ Lois Armstrong
                                                    -----------------------
                                                     Lois Armstrong

                                                         Dated:  10/31/01

STATE OF ARIZONA

County of Maricopa

         Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this 31 day of
October, 2001.

                                                     /s/ Irma R. Prescott
                                                     --------------------
                                                     Notary Public

My Commission Expires: May 27, 2004

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