DELAWARE HOSPICE, INC SOUTHERN DIVISION
Provider Information
- Address
- 100 PATRIOTS WAY
MILFORD, DE 19963 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 9, 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) | 21 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 4 |
| Physicians | 3 |
| Volunteers | 2 |
55
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, INC SOUTHERN DIVISION 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how DELAWARE HOSPICE, INC SOUTHERN DIVISION compares to hospices nationwide.
17.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 89th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
102
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 day17.5 min
Ranks better than about 89% 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 weekends9.6%
Ranks better than about 67% 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%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 visits68.6%
Ranks better than about 28% 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 care11.2%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 months26.2%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 care8.4%
Ranks better than about 43% 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)95th 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$11,582 · 16th 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 66.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life66.6%
- All care steps completed99.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer40%
- Dementia12%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke10%
- 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 Delaware Hospice, Inc Southern Division
Delaware Hospice, Inc Southern Division serves families in Milford, Delaware. They offer specialized end-of-life care options for those in Sussex County. This provider has been certified by Medicare since 1985. Their team focuses on comfort and support for patients at home or in other settings. They are a non-profit organization. That means they reinvest earnings back into their mission of care. Being a non-profit is a common choice for hospices focused on community health. Families often prefer this model for its commitment to patient needs. They have served the area for several decades. This long history shows they have deep roots in the local community. You can reach their office directly for questions about their services. Choosing a provider is a big step for your loved one. Their staff is ready to help you understand your options today.
Provider Overview
This is a freestanding hospice provider. They operate independently from a hospital or nursing home. This structure allows them to focus entirely on hospice care. They employ 55 people to support their patients. Their clinical team includes 21 registered nurses and 4 licensed practical nurses. They also have 3 physicians on staff. Two volunteers help round out their support team. Having a large team of nurses is a strong indicator of their ability to provide consistent care. Medicare certification serves as a baseline for safety and quality standards. It ensures the hospice meets federal rules for care delivery. You should feel comfortable asking about their specific team roles during your first meeting. They are prepared to discuss how these staff members work together. Their goal is to maintain high standards for every patient they serve in the region.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Milford?
Hospice care in Milford is designed to support the whole person. It is not just about medical treatment. It is about comfort and quality of life. The team visits the patient wherever they call home. This might be a private house or an assisted living center. They manage pain and other symptoms effectively. And they offer emotional support to the entire family. The staff coordinates with your primary doctor to ensure care remains consistent. They are on call 24 hours a day. You never have to worry about reaching someone in an emergency. This level of support helps families feel more secure during a hard time. The team works hard to keep the patient comfortable and peaceful. They focus on the goals that matter most to you and your loved one. That is the core of their work.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Asking the right questions helps you make a clear choice. Start by learning about their specific services. You should ask these three questions:
- How quickly can a nurse arrive if there is an urgent need at night?
- What specific support do you offer for family members who are grieving?
- How often will a nurse or doctor visit my loved one at home?
These questions reveal how the agency operates daily. You want a team that responds fast when things change. They should explain their visit schedule clearly. Do not be afraid to ask for more details if an answer seems vague. It is your right to know exactly how they will care for your family. A good provider will be happy to share this information with you. They want you to feel confident in your decision. Take your time to get the answers you need.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories to share. Recording their story can be a beautiful way to honor their life and keep their spirit alive for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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