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 May 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 screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids95.7%
- Visits in the last days of life86.1%
- All care steps completed99%
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, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care in Decatur
Hospice of the Valley, Inc. serves families in Decatur, Alabama, and the surrounding Morgan County area. They offer specialized end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. This provider supports patients and their loved ones during a very difficult journey. Their team works to manage pain and symptoms while providing emotional and spiritual support. It is a local option for those needing compassionate end-of-life care close to home. Choosing the right hospice partner is a big decision for any family. This provider has been serving the community for decades, which says a lot about their stability. They aim to help patients live their final days with as much peace and comfort as possible. You are not alone in this search, and finding a team that listens is key. They offer a range of services designed to meet the unique needs of every patient they serve in Alabama.
About HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY, INC
Hospice of the Valley, Inc. is a non-profit organization. This is a common structure for hospice providers. Being non-profit often means the focus stays on the patient rather than on profits. They have been Medicare certified since March 3, 1988. That is over 35 years of experience in the field. That is a big deal. When a provider has been around this long, it shows they have deep roots in the Decatur community. Families should know that Medicare certification means they must meet strict federal standards for care. This covers everything from how they manage pain to how they support grieving families. You can feel a bit better knowing they have passed these regular check-ups for many years. It is about finding a team you can trust. They have built a long history of service in Morgan County, which helps them understand the specific needs of local families during a hard time.
Quality of Care and Patient Satisfaction
Understanding Hospice Care in DECATUR
Hospice care in Decatur is about more than just medicine. It is about making sure your loved one feels safe and loved. Many people wait too long to ask for help, but hospice can start as soon as a doctor says it is time. The main goal is to keep the patient comfortable in their own home or a care facility. The thing is, hospice teams are made of many experts. You get nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains working as one group. They all coordinate to manage symptoms so the family can focus on spending time together. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing a path that prioritizes quality time and comfort. Many families in Morgan County find that bringing in support early makes a huge difference in the final months. The goal is to reduce stress for everyone involved, especially the primary caregiver at home.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to interview any hospice provider before you sign up. Start by asking how quickly they can respond to an emergency call at night or on the weekend. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Next, ask about their staff. How often will a nurse visit the home? Consistency matters a lot when you are dealing with pain or anxiety. It is also good to ask how they handle spiritual or emotional needs. Do they have volunteers or counselors who can sit with the patient? Finally, ask how they help the family after the patient passes away. Most hospices offer grief support for a year after the loss. This is a very helpful service that many families use. Don't be afraid to ask these questions. You are the advocate for your loved one, and getting clear answers will help you feel more confident in your choice.
Preserve Your Family Stories
During this time, the memories and life lessons of your loved one are more precious than ever. We can help you record and save these stories for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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