ALABAMA HOSPICE OF THE SHOALS
Provider Information
- Address
- 1404 EAST AVALON AVENUE, SUITE C
TUSCUMBIA, AL 35674 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 20, 2005
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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) | 7 |
| Physicians | 2 |
22
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 ALABAMA HOSPICE OF THE SHOALS 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
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ALABAMA HOSPICE OF THE SHOALS compares to hospices nationwide.
16.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 85th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
38
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 day16.5 min
Ranks better than about 85% 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 weekends5.3%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 life95.5%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 visits38.3%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 care9.8%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 months41%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 care14.8%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 hospice6.6%
Ranks better than about 6% 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)81st 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$15,644 · 37th 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 81.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life81.1%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer17%
- Heart and circulatory disease45%
- Lung and respiratory disease15%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Alabama Hospice of the Shoals
Alabama Hospice of the Shoals serves patients and families in Tuscumbia and the surrounding Colbert County area. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice facility. They have provided care to the local community since October 2005. Choosing hospice care is a significant decision for any family. This provider offers services designed to support comfort and quality of life for those with a life-limiting illness. They are currently a for-profit organization. Their team focuses on meeting the needs of patients where they live. Having served the region for nearly two decades, they have a long history of clinical work. Families often look for stability in a provider. This location offers that through their years of experience in the Alabama area. They aim to help your loved one stay comfortable in their own home setting.
Provider Background
This hospice is a for-profit provider based in Tuscumbia. Their Medicare certification dates back to late 2005. That is a long time to serve a community. Being Medicare certified means they meet federal rules for care. You should know that this provider holds strong quality ratings from CMS. These ratings look at how well a hospice manages pain and treats symptoms for their patients. The team includes 22 total employees. This staff count features 7 registered nurses and 2 physicians. Having two doctors on staff allows for focused medical oversight. This is helpful when symptoms change quickly or become complex. Registered nurses provide the bulk of daily visits and care coordination. They work to keep you informed about every change in your loved one. You can feel confident knowing they have a clear structure for medical support and patient care during your time together.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Tuscumbia?
Hospice care in Tuscumbia centers on keeping your loved one comfortable and peaceful. The team at Alabama Hospice of the Shoals uses their 7 registered nurses to provide regular check-ins. They visit patients at home to manage pain and other symptoms. The 2 doctors on staff oversee the medical plan. This ensures that every patient gets care tailored to their specific health needs. You can expect the team to listen to your concerns. They work with you to create a plan that honors your family wishes. Hospice is not just about medicine. It is about emotional support and dignity for the person you love. The staff understands the local area well. They bring care directly to your door so you do not have to travel for help. This local focus makes a real difference in daily life for families in Colbert County.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice is a big step. You should feel comfortable with the team you pick. Ask how often a nurse will visit your home. You need to know who to call if you have an emergency at night. Ask how the team handles pain and if they can help with equipment like hospital beds. It is also good to ask how they support family members. Do they offer counseling or help with daily tasks? You might want to know how they work with your current doctor. A good hospice team will keep your own doctor in the loop. Ask them to explain their plan for after-hours care. You should feel like your questions are welcome. A professional team will take the time to give you clear answers. They want you to feel ready and supported during this time.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. We offer tools to help you record and share their stories with future generations.
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