HOSPICE OF LAKE & SUMTER INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 2445 LANE PARK ROAD
TAVARES, FL 32778 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 3, 1986
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 275 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 96 |
| Physicians | 20 |
| Volunteers | 801 |
889
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 HOSPICE OF LAKE & SUMTER INC 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF LAKE & SUMTER INC compares to hospices nationwide.
10.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 28th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
1181
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 day10.3 min
Ranks better than about 28% 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 weekends21.1%
Ranks better than about 95% 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 life96.2%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 visits91.6%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 care11.1%
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 months33.5%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 care6.1%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 hospice0.3%
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)96th 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$13,417 · 25th 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 screening100%
- Pain assessment99.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.8%
- Visits in the last days of life66.6%
- All care steps completed99.7%
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%
- Dementia21%
- Heart and circulatory disease25%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions15%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Lake & Sumter Inc
Hospice of Lake & Sumter Inc serves the Tavares, Florida area. This provider offers end of life care for patients and their families. They have been certified by Medicare since 1986. This long history shows their experience in the local medical community. The provider holds accreditation from the Joint Commission as well. This group checks for high standards in safety and medical care. Families in Lake County can look to them for support during difficult times.
About Hospice of Lake & Sumter Inc
This is a for-profit hospice provider. They operate as a freestanding facility in Tavares. The Joint Commission accreditation is a key detail here. This independent group visits the site to ensure they meet strict safety rules. They look at how the team manages pain and how they talk to families. It means an outside group has verified their work. Being certified since 1986 gives them decades of experience. You should know that for-profit status does not change the care quality. Their team includes 275 registered nurses and 96 licensed practical nurses. They also have 20 physicians on staff to oversee medical needs. A large group of 801 volunteers helps support their mission too. That is a large staff for one location. Families should feel confident knowing the team is well-staffed to handle daily needs.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in TAVARES?
Hospice care in Tavares focuses on comfort for the patient. The goal is to manage symptoms and provide support at home. You will find a team of doctors, nurses, and volunteers ready to help. These professionals work together to create a plan that fits your loved one. The team includes 275 registered nurses and 96 licensed practical nurses. They provide medical care, while volunteers often offer companionship. Social workers and chaplains are also part of the mix. They help families handle the emotional side of these changes. It is a team effort. The staff is large enough to ensure that someone is always available to answer your questions. This local setup allows them to respond quickly to needs in the Lake County area. You can expect regular visits from the medical team to keep the patient comfortable and safe.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice team is a big decision. You should feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Start by asking how the team handles pain management at night. Ask how quickly a nurse can arrive if an emergency happens. It is also good to ask about the role of their volunteers. Find out how they support family members after a loss. These questions help you understand their daily process. You should also ask how they coordinate with the patient's regular doctor. Clear communication is the key to good care. Take your time to get the answers you need. A good provider will be happy to explain their process to you. They should make you feel heard and respected throughout the entire conversation.
Preserving Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure that deserves to be kept safe for future generations to learn from.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
CONTINUUM CARE OF BROWARD LLC
ST FRANCIS REFLECTIONS HOSPICE
TREASURE COAST HOSPICE OF MARTIN
AVOW HOSPICE INC
HOSPICE OF OKEECHOBEE INCORPORATED
VNA HOSPICE OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY INC
Helpful Guides for Families
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
Confused about hospice vs palliative care? We break down the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right end-of-life care for your loved one.
How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Our hospice selection guide helps you compare providers, understand Medicare benefits, and make the best choice for your loved one today.
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.