DELAWARE HOSPICE CENTRAL DIV
Provider Information
- Address
- 555 E. LOOCKERMAN STREET
DOVER, DE 19901 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 18, 1985
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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) | 18 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
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 DELAWARE HOSPICE CENTRAL DIV reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how DELAWARE HOSPICE CENTRAL DIV 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.
88
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 weekends8.2%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 life96.9%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 visits61.2%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 care6.8%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 months41.1%
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 care1.4%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 hospice1.4%
Ranks better than about 45% 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)94th 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$12,848 · 22nd 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 61.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.8%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life61.3%
- All care steps completed99.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer35%
- Dementia14%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke12%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Delaware Hospice Central Div
Delaware Hospice Central Div serves families throughout the Dover area from their office on Loockerman Street. This provider offers specialized end of life care for those in Kent County. They have served the local community for many decades. Choosing a hospice team is a personal decision for every family. Having a local team can provide comfort during difficult times. This provider focuses on medical support and comfort for their patients. Their office maintains a central location to reach people in the surrounding neighborhoods. They work to ensure that patients remain comfortable in their own homes. The team is ready to help when you have questions about care options. You can reach their office directly at (302) 678-4444 to discuss how they might support your needs. It is helpful to understand the options in your specific area before making a choice.
About Delaware Hospice Central Div
Delaware Hospice Central Div operates as a non-profit organization. They have been certified by Medicare since early 1985. This long history shows a commitment to serving the Dover community over many years. Non-profit status often means that extra money goes back into programs and patient care instead of to owners. This is a common structure for hospice providers. Families should know that Medicare certification means they follow federal rules for quality and safety. These rules ensure that all patients receive a standard level of care. You should feel comfortable asking about their specific team size and experience level. They currently employ 38 people to handle patient needs. This includes 18 registered nurses who provide direct care. Having a large nursing staff helps ensure that patients get the attention they need. It is a good idea to speak with them about how they assign staff to individual cases.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Dover?
Hospice care in Dover focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The goal is to manage pain and provide emotional support for the entire family. This provider maintains a team of 18 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have one physician on staff to guide medical decisions. This team works together to create a plan that fits the specific needs of each person. Sometimes the team includes other specialists to help with daily tasks. It is important to know that this specific location does not use volunteers. The staff handles all aspects of care directly. Most families find that having a dedicated team leads to better communication and fewer delays. You can ask the staff how they coordinate with your primary doctor. They should explain how they share updates about the patient condition. Good communication is the foundation of effective hospice care.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask questions when you interview a hospice provider. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if an urgent need arises at night. It is also wise to ask how they handle pain management and symptoms. You might want to know if they have experience with the specific health condition of your loved one. Ask them how they handle communication with family members who live far away. You can also ask about their process for updating the care plan as needs change. Do they have a clear way to handle emergencies on weekends? Understanding these simple things can help your family feel more at ease. You deserve to know exactly how the team will support your loved one during this time. Take your time to get the answers that matter most to your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a precious gift. Learn how to record and save these memories for future generations to cherish.
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