COMPASSIONATE CARE HOSPICE OF THE DELMAR PENINSULA
Provider Information
- Address
- 416 WILLIAMS ST
MILFORD, DE 19963 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 20, 2008
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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 August 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) | 5 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 3 |
24
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 COMPASSIONATE CARE HOSPICE OF THE DELMAR PENINSULA 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 2008.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how COMPASSIONATE CARE HOSPICE OF THE DELMAR PENINSULA compares to hospices nationwide.
15.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 77th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
69
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 day15.2 min
Ranks better than about 77% 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 weekends14%
Ranks better than about 86% 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 life93.7%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 visits42.3%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 care11%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 months30.5%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 care3.4%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 hospice2.5%
Ranks better than about 31% 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)79th 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$13,000 · 23rd 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 78.1% 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 life78.1%
- 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.
- Cancer25%
- Dementia26%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Compassionate Care Hospice
Compassionate Care Hospice of the Delmar Peninsula serves families in Milford, Delaware. This hospice provider has been certified by Medicare since 2008. They offer end-of-life care for patients within Sussex County. The agency holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, also known as ACHC. This organization reviews hospice agencies to ensure they meet high standards for safety and patient care. Choosing an accredited provider means a third party has checked their work. It is a sign of a commitment to quality. Their team works to provide comfort during a difficult time. You can reach their local office at 302-856-2659 to learn more about how they support patients in the community. They focus on meeting the needs of those they serve in the Milford area.
About the Provider
This hospice operates as a for-profit agency. It functions as a freestanding hospice, which means it is not part of a larger hospital system. The agency maintains a staff of 24 people to manage care needs. This team includes 5 registered nurses and 1 licensed practical nurse. Three physicians are also part of their professional staff. Accreditation from the ACHC matters for families. It means the hospice follows strict rules for how they treat patients. These rules cover everything from medicine management to emotional support for loved ones. The agency has maintained its Medicare certification for over 15 years. That longevity shows they have experience in the field. Families should look for these signs of stability when choosing care. A consistent team helps patients feel secure and known. You deserve to work with a provider that shows a clear commitment to their standards.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Milford?
Hospice care in Milford focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The goal is to manage pain and help patients stay at home if possible. Teams visit patients where they live. They provide medicine, supplies, and equipment at no cost for related needs. The team includes nurses and doctors who specialize in symptom relief. They work with the family to create a plan that fits the patient. This plan changes as needs change. You might see a nurse once a week or every day depending on the situation. The goal is to keep the person as comfortable as they can be. Support is available for the family as well. They offer guidance on how to care for a loved one. This helps reduce the burden on caregivers. Quality care means the team listens to your concerns. They should respond to your questions with clear answers and kindness.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a big decision. You should ask questions that help you understand how they work. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You need to know if they have staff on call at night. Second, ask how they handle pain management. Every patient has different needs, and the team should have a clear plan for relief. Third, ask how they support the family members. Do they offer meetings with a social worker or a counselor? Finally, ask how the team coordinates with the patient's primary doctor. Good communication between these doctors prevents confusion. Be sure to ask about their experience with the specific illness your loved one has. You want a team that understands what you are going through. Take your time to get the answers you need before you decide on a partner for care.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. We can help you gather their stories and preserve them for future generations.
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