HospiceScout

CONSTELLATION HOME CARE

For-ProfitHome Health Agency

Provider Information

Address
14 WESTPORT AVE
NORWALK, CT 06851
Ownership Type
For-Profit
Medicare Certified Since
June 13, 2012

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for CONSTELLATION HOME CARE
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)45
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)7
Physicians1
Volunteers2

85

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 CONSTELLATION HOME CARE 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

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.

Type of inpatient care
Both general inpatient care and respite care
Medical supplies and equipment
Brought in through an outside supplier

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 CONSTELLATION HOME CARE compares to hospices nationwide.

14.9 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 75th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

290

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 day14.9 min

    Ranks better than about 75% 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 weekends10.3%

    Ranks better than about 71% 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 life97.2%

    Ranks better than about 81% 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 visits8.7%

    Ranks better than about 96% 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 care7.6%

    Ranks better than about 42% 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 months34.1%

    Ranks better than about 57% 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 care8.7%

    Ranks better than about 42% 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 hospice2.7%

    Ranks better than about 29% 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)93rd 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$12,028 · 19th 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 75.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening99.5%
  • Pain assessment99.7%
  • Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment98.1%
  • Treatment preferences discussed99.7%
  • Beliefs and values discussed96.9%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids96.7%
  • Visits in the last days of life75.9%
  • All care steps completed94.5%

Conditions of patients in their care

Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.

  • Cancer20%
  • Dementia23%
  • Heart and circulatory disease16%
  • Lung and respiratory disease14%
  • Stroke7%
  • Other conditions21%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

Care in Norwalk

Constellation Home Care provides hospice services for families in Norwalk, Connecticut. They focus on comfort, pain relief, and emotional support for patients facing a serious illness. This team works to make sure your loved one stays as comfortable as possible during their final months. Choosing a provider in your own community often makes a big difference. It helps families feel more at home while getting the medical help they need. The team is based at 14 Westport Ave and serves the surrounding Fairfield County area. They are there to walk beside you through every step of this journey. You do not have to handle these hard moments alone. Having local experts nearby means they can respond quickly when you need them most. That is a real comfort when things change fast.

About CONSTELLATION HOME CARE

Constellation Home Care is a for-profit hospice provider. They have been certified by Medicare since June 13, 2012. That is over a decade of service to the local community. Being Medicare certified means they meet strict federal rules for safety and care quality. For-profit providers often bring a strong focus on efficiency and modern care practices. But the most important thing is how they treat your family members. You should always ask how they handle after-hours calls or weekend emergencies. Do they have a nurse on call 24/7? These are the details that truly matter for your peace of mind. Always remember that you have the right to interview any hospice provider before you sign up. Take your time to get to know their team. See if their style of care matches what your loved one wants and needs.

Quality of Care vs. Patient Experience

Constellation Home Care holds a perfect 5/5 star rating for quality of care from CMS. This means their clinical care and pain management systems are excellent. However, they currently hold a 2/5 star rating for patient satisfaction. This suggests that while their medical care is top-tier, some families have felt the communication or personal experience could be warmer.

Understanding Hospice Care in NORWALK

Fairfield County has several options for end-of-life care. Choosing the right one is about finding a team that fits your family's specific values. Many people think hospice is just about medicine. But it is actually about living well for as long as possible. The goal is to lower stress and manage symptoms so you can focus on being together. Some providers are part of larger hospital systems. Others are smaller, local agencies. Both can be great. The thing is to look at their quality scores. You can find these on Medicare websites to see how they compare to the national average. Do not be afraid to ask for a list of their local partners. Knowing who they work with in the Norwalk area can help you feel more secure about your choice. It is your right to pick the best fit for your loved one.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

When you talk to a potential hospice provider, have a list of questions ready. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens in the middle of the night. You need to know that help is truly available. Second, ask how they handle pain management. Every person has different needs, and the plan should change as they do. Third, ask about their staff. Will you see the same nurse every week, or will it be different people? Many families prefer a consistent face they can trust. Finally, ask what their volunteers do. Good hospice programs often have volunteers who can sit with your loved one or run errands for you. These small acts of kindness can give you a much-needed break. Take notes during your meeting so you can compare your options clearly later on.

Preserve Your Family's History

This time is hard, but it is also a chance to capture the stories and wisdom of your loved one. Recording these memories is a gift for your family that will last for generations.

Start Preserving Memories

Other Hospice Providers Nearby

Helpful Guides for Families

Some stories are worth writing down

Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.