VISITING NURSE & HOSPICE OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 32 UNION STREET
WINSTED, CT 06098 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 26, 1995
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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) | 3 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
8
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 VISITING NURSE & HOSPICE OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, 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
- 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 VISITING NURSE & HOSPICE OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
16 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 82nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
32
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 min
Ranks better than about 82% 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%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 life95.9%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 visits30.9%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 care7.2%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 months20.5%
Ranks better than about 87% 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 care2.4%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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$8,499 · 6th 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 64.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- Pain assessment70.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment90.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life64.7%
- All care steps completed75.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer26%
- Dementia25%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Winsted
Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County, Inc. provides hospice services to those living in Winsted, Connecticut. They focus on comfort and quality of life for patients facing a life-limiting illness. The team works hard to support families during a very difficult time. It is about making every day count. They bring expert care directly to the home setting. This allows patients to stay in a familiar space with their loved ones nearby. That makes a world of difference for many people. Their office on Union Street acts as a hub for these vital health services. They serve the Litchfield County area with a clear mission to provide dignity. Families can count on them to help manage symptoms and provide emotional support. It is a local resource for those who need a helping hand.
About Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County, Inc.
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. That is a big deal because it means their focus stays on patient needs rather than profit margins. They have been Medicare certified since January 26, 1995. That is nearly three decades of experience serving the community. You should know that non-profit hospices often reinvest their earnings back into patient services. This can lead to more robust support for families. Being in the system this long shows they have deep roots in Litchfield County. They understand the specific needs of the local area. When you choose a long-standing provider, you benefit from their established history. They have seen many changes in healthcare over the years. But they have stayed committed to their core mission. It is comforting to work with a team that has such a long track record of service.
Quality of Care Highlights
Understanding Hospice Care in Winsted
Hospice is not a place you go. It is a type of care that comes to you. In Winsted, families often choose home-based hospice to keep their loved ones close. The goal is simple. It is about managing pain and keeping the patient comfortable. The team includes doctors, nurses, and social workers. They work together to create a plan that fits your specific needs. What most people do not realize is that hospice also supports the family. They provide grief counseling and help with daily tasks. It is not just about the patient. It is about the whole support system. Many families find that starting hospice early helps them spend more quality time together. You do not have to wait until the very end to ask for help. It is a resource that is there to make the journey easier for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice team is a big decision. You want to feel confident in the care your family member will receive. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You should also ask how they handle pain and symptom management after normal business hours. The thing is, emergencies do not always happen between nine and five. Ask about the types of volunteers they have available to help. Some provide companionship, while others help with errands. It is also good to ask how they keep the family informed about changes in the patient's condition. You want a team that talks to you clearly and often. Do not be afraid to ask for examples of how they support families during the dying process. A good provider will be happy to answer these questions with kindness and honesty.
Preserving Your Family's Story
During this time, memories become more important than ever. We can help you capture and save those precious life stories for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
MOZAIC HOME CARE AND HOSPICE
FRANCISCAN FAMILY CARE CENTER,
HOME CARE PLUS, INC
BRIGHTON HOSPICE CONNECTICUT, LLC
MIDDLESEX HEALTH CARE AT HOME & HOSPICE PROGRAM
MASONICARE HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE INC
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Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
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Some stories are worth writing down
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