HELPING HANDS HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1350 AUGUSTA WEST PARKWAY
AUGUSTA, GA 30909 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 9, 2014
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) | 4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
28
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 HELPING HANDS HOSPICE 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HELPING HANDS HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
7.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 8th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
30
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 day7.7 min
Ranks better than about 8% 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 weekends12%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 life88.5%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 visits65.3%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 care7.3%
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 months41.5%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 care11%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 hospice7.3%
Ranks better than about 4% 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)52nd 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$15,369 · 36th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 14.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening82.6%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed97.2%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.2%
- Visits in the last days of life14.3%
- All care steps completed78.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer29%
- Dementia34%
- Heart and circulatory disease11%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Helping Hands Hospice in Augusta
Helping Hands Hospice serves families across the Augusta, Georgia area from their office on Augusta West Parkway. This freestanding provider offers specialized end of life care designed to support patients and their loved ones. They have served the Richmond County community since late 2014. Their team works to provide comfort and dignity when medical treatments are no longer the primary focus. Choosing a local provider helps ensure that care teams are nearby when needs change suddenly. This agency operates as a for-profit organization. They bring years of experience to the local hospice community.
About Helping Hands Hospice
Helping Hands Hospice has been Medicare certified for nearly a decade. This certification means they meet federal standards for patient care and safety. Being a freestanding hospice allows them to focus solely on end of life services without being tied to a larger hospital system. Families should know that this provider maintains a team of twenty-eight staff members. This group includes four registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. They also employ two physicians and work with three dedicated volunteers. These staff roles are set by federal rules to ensure that every patient receives regular medical oversight. Having a mix of nurses, doctors, and volunteers helps address both physical symptoms and emotional needs. It is helpful to understand how these team members work together to provide daily care in the home or at a facility. They follow strict guidelines to keep care consistent.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in AUGUSTA?
Hospice care in Augusta focuses on managing pain and keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. Most families receive visits from nurses, aides, and social workers on a set schedule. The goal is to improve quality of life. At Helping Hands Hospice, the staff includes four registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses who coordinate these visits. They also have two physicians on staff to oversee medical plans. Volunteers are also part of the team to provide extra companionship for families. Care plans shift based on what the patient needs at that specific moment. Some days require more medical support, while others focus on emotional comfort. This approach helps families stay together in familiar surroundings during difficult times. You can expect the team to communicate clearly about any changes in the plan. They are there to help with daily tasks and symptom management.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right care team is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions to understand how the provider operates. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an urgent need arises at night or on a weekend. Second, ask how the team will talk to your current family doctor about changes in the care plan. Third, ask how they support family members with grief and emotional stress after a loss. Finally, check if the staff members are available for visits on holidays. Getting clear answers helps you understand the level of support you will receive. Do not hesitate to ask for details about their specific process for pain management. You deserve to know exactly who will be coming into your home. Clear communication is the best foundation for good care.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture memories and life lessons while you have the chance. Our simple tools help you record the moments that matter most for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
CRESCENT HOSPICE
GEORGIA HOSPICE CARE
REGENCY SOUTHERNCARE
TRADITIONS HEALTH
PRUITTHEALTH HOSPICE-AUGUSTA
EMPYREAN HOSPICE OF GEORGIA, LLC-(AUGUSTA)
Helpful Guides for Families
How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
A federal fraud crackdown froze new hospice enrollments in 2026. Here's how to verify a hospice is legitimate, Medicare-certified, and safe to trust.
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
Evaluating hospice care for a loved one? Use these 10 essential hospice questions to interview providers and ensure your family receives the best possible support.
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
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.