HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 240 JOHNSTON STREET, SE
DECATUR, AL 35601 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 3, 1988
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of August 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 19 |
| Volunteers | 70 |
38
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY, INC reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
13.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 63rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
78
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day13.5 min
Ranks better than about 63% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends4.4%
Ranks better than about 11% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life98.8%
Ranks better than about 90% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits26.1%
Ranks better than about 83% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care8.5%
Ranks better than about 36% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months29.8%
Ranks better than about 70% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care19.1%
Ranks better than about 8% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice2.1%
Ranks better than about 36% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)52nd percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$13,603 · 26th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 86.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids94.1%
- Visits in the last days of life86.1%
- All care steps completed97.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer21%
- Dementia44%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke3%
- Other conditions7%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of the Valley, Inc in Decatur
Hospice of the Valley, Inc serves families throughout the Decatur, Alabama area. This freestanding hospice provider offers care designed to support patients and their loved ones during difficult times. They have been providing these services since 1988. Choosing the right support is a personal decision for every family. Their long history in Morgan County shows they have been a steady part of the local health community for many years. You can reach their office at 240 Johnston Street, SE to learn more about how their team works. They focus on providing care that meets the specific needs of patients in their own homes or care settings. It is a big responsibility to care for someone you love. Having a team that stays grounded in local roots can make a real difference during this transition.
About Hospice of the Valley, Inc
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status often means the group focuses its resources back into patient care and community support. They earned Medicare certification in 1988, which means they meet federal rules for safety and service quality. This certification ensures they follow strict standards set by the government. Their team includes 38 employees, with 19 registered nurses ready to support medical needs. They also work with 70 volunteers who offer extra time and kindness to families. That is a large group of helpers. Knowing a provider has a solid team is helpful when you need to make a choice. They follow clear guidelines to ensure that each patient receives the care they deserve. Federal oversight plays a role in how they manage their daily operations. You should feel comfortable asking them about their specific team structure and how they support families every day.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Decatur?
Hospice care in Decatur focuses on comfort and quality of life for patients. The goal is to manage symptoms so that patients can spend time with their families in peace. A team approach is common in this area. Hospice of the Valley, Inc uses a staff of 19 registered nurses to handle medical tasks. They also have 70 volunteers who provide social support. This combination of medical and personal care is standard for high-quality hospice work. Patients often receive visits where the team checks on comfort levels. They also talk with family members about how to manage daily care at home. Having a team with many volunteers allows for more social connection. It is not just about medicine. It is about being there for the person. This creates a circle of support that reaches beyond just the clinical needs of the patient.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should gather information before making a final decision. Start by asking how the team responds to urgent needs after business hours. You need to know if a nurse is available by phone or in person at night. Ask about the specific volunteers who might visit your home. You should also ask how they coordinate care with your primary doctor. Ask them to explain their plan for managing pain and other symptoms. It is also good to ask how they support family members with grief. Do they offer counseling or other resources? Make sure you understand the full range of services they provide. Write down your questions ahead of time so you do not forget anything during your visit. You deserve clear answers about the care your loved one will receive. Take your time to get the answers that matter most to your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift. We offer tools to help you record and save the stories that matter most for future generations to enjoy.
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