HOSPICE OF THE GOLDEN ISLES
Provider Information
- Address
- 1692 GLYNCO PARKWAY
BRUNSWICK, GA 31525 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 26, 1984
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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) | 25 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 9 |
| Physicians | 1 |
80
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 THE GOLDEN ISLES reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF THE GOLDEN ISLES compares to hospices nationwide.
14.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 72nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
71
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 day14.5 min
Ranks better than about 72% 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 weekends12.2%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 life96.3%
Ranks better than about 73% 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 visits45.6%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 care10.3%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 months27.9%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 care5.9%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 hospice1.5%
Ranks better than about 44% 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)88th 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$9,980 · 10th 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 67.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.6%
- Pain assessment99.5%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.6%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life67.3%
- All care steps completed98.4%
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%
- Dementia19%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke11%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of the Golden Isles
Hospice of the Golden Isles serves families in Brunswick, Georgia, from their location on Glynco Parkway. This provider offers end-of-life care focused on comfort and symptom management for patients in Glynn County. They have provided these services to the local community since 1984.
About Hospice of the Golden Isles
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. Being non-profit often means that any extra money goes back into patient programs instead of to private owners. They have held Medicare certification for over four decades. This long history shows they have met federal standards for a very long time. Families should know that Medicare certification is a baseline requirement for quality oversight. It means the government checks their work on a regular schedule to ensure they meet safety rules. This hospice also functions as a freestanding facility. That means they are not part of a larger hospital system. They focus their entire mission on hospice care. You can be confident that their team has a narrow focus on your needs. They dedicate their resources to the specific goals of end-of-life support. This structure helps them maintain a high level of care for every person they serve.
Top Quality Marks
What Is Hospice Care Like in Brunswick?
Hospice care in this part of Georgia centers on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team at Hospice of the Golden Isles includes 80 total employees who work to meet these needs. This group features 25 registered nurses and 9 licensed practical nurses who provide daily care. They also have a physician on staff to oversee medical plans. A large team allows for more personal attention during difficult days. Most patients want to stay in familiar surroundings near their loved ones. The staff travels to you to provide support. This care model helps keep the focus on family time rather than travel or clinics. It is a practical way to manage health needs while keeping a normal routine. You can expect the team to handle the medicine and equipment. They also provide emotional support for the whole family during this time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing care for a family member is a serious task. You should ask questions that help you understand how they work. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a problem happens at night. Ask how they handle pain management for complex symptoms. You should also ask how they support family members who are grieving. Finally, ask what specific tasks the hospice aides will do for your loved one. These answers will help you see if their care style matches your needs. Write down these answers so you can compare your options. Do not feel rushed to pick a provider before you have all the facts. A good provider will be happy to explain their processes clearly. They want you to feel comfortable with the plan they propose for your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The time spent with loved ones is precious. Recording your family history helps keep those memories alive for future generations to cherish and learn from.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Creating a Living Will Checklist: A Hospice Care Guide
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Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
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Some stories are worth writing down
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