Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

VistaCare, Inc.

Class A Common Stock

92839Y 10 9

December 17, 2002

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

[   ] Rule 13d-1(b)
[x] Rule 13d-1(c)
[   ] Rule 13d-1(d)

*This remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

Table of Contents

CUSIP No. 92839Y 10 9

Table of Contents

CUSIP No. 92839Y 10 9

Table of Contents

CUSIP No. 92839Y 10 9

Table of Contents

CUSIP No. 92839Y 10 9

Table of Contents

CUSIP No. 92839Y 10 9

Table of Contents

Item 1(a). Name of Issuer

VistaCare, Inc.

Item 1(b). Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices

8125 N. Hayden Road
Suite 300
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Item 2(a). Name of Person Filing

This Schedule 13G is being filed on behalf of the following persons (the “Reporting Persons”):

Item 2(b). Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence

The business address of the Reporting Persons is:

8125 N. Hayden Road
Suite 300
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Item 2(c). Citizenship

Item 2(d). Title of Class of Securities

Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”)

Item 2(e). CUSIP No.

Table of Contents

92839Y 10 9

Item 3.

Not Applicable.

Item 4. Ownership

     The amount of Common Stock beneficially owned by Barry Smith is 2,025,500 shares. Barry Smith has an option to purchase shares of the issuer’s Common Stock that is exercisable with respect to 16,000 shares within 60 days of the date of this Schedule 13G. The Family Trust is the record owner of 602,850 shares, and the Partnership is the record owner of 1,406,650 shares. Barry Smith is a trustee of the Family Trust, and as such has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to the 602,850 shares owned by the Family Trust. Accordingly, Barry Smith may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares. The Family Trust is the sole stockholder of B&J Inc., the general partner of the Partnership. Accordingly, Barry Smith has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to the 1,406,650 shares owned by the Partnership, and he may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares.

     The amount of Common Stock beneficially owned by Julia Smith is 2,009,500 shares. Julia Smith is a trustee of the Family Trust, and as such has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to the 602,850 shares owned by the Family Trust. Accordingly, Julia Smith may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares. The Family Trust is the sole stockholder of B&J Inc., the general partner of the Partnership; therefore, Julia Smith has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to the 1,406,650 shares owned by the Partnership, and she may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares.

     The amount of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Family Trust is 2,009,500 shares. The Family Trust is the record owner of 602,500 shares. The Family Trust is the sole stockholder of B&J Inc., the general partner of the Partnership. Therefore, the Family Trust shares voting and dispositive power with respect to the 1,406,650 shares owned by the Partnership, and it may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares.

Table of Contents

     The Partnership is the record owner of 1,406,650 shares of Common Stock.

     The amount of Common Stock beneficially owned by B&J Inc. is 1,406,650 shares. B&J Inc. is the general partner of the Partnership, and as such has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to the 1,406,650 shares owned by the Partnership. Accordingly, it may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares.

     Each of the Reporting Persons disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock except as to such Reporting Person’s pecuniary interest therein.

Table of Contents

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

Not Applicable.

Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

Table of Contents

     Barry Smith and Julia Smith each directly have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of the shares owned by, the Family Trust.

     B&J Inc. directly has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of the shares owned by, the Partnership. The Family Trust, Barry Smith and Julia Smith each indirectly have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of the shares owned by, the Partnership.

Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company

Not Applicable.

Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group

Not Applicable.

Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group

Not Applicable.

Item 10. Certification

Not Applicable.

Table of Contents

SIGNATURE

     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of our knowledge and belief, we hereby certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: December 22, 2002

Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS