LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY HOSPICE, THE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1029 MERREDITH PARK DRIVE
MCDONOUGH, GA 30253 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 17, 2020
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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) | 6 |
| Physicians | 1 |
14
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 LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY HOSPICE, THE 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY HOSPICE, THE compares to hospices nationwide.
8.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 13th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
40
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 day8.6 min
Ranks better than about 13% 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 weekends8.7%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 visits68.7%
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 care6.1%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 months48.5%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 care12.1%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 hospice3%
Ranks better than about 25% 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$20,797 · 65th 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 70.8% 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%
- Visits in the last days of life70.8%
- 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.
- Cancer32%
- Dementia37%
- Heart and circulatory disease8%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Other conditions12%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Lighthouse Community Hospice in McDonough
Lighthouse Community Hospice serves patients and their families in McDonough, Georgia. This provider offers end-of-life care focused on comfort and support. They have been certified by Medicare since the summer of 2020. Having a local team helps families stay close to their loved ones during this time. The agency operates as a for-profit provider in Henry County. Choosing a local hospice means the staff knows the community well. That is a benefit for those who need quick access to care and local resources.
About LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY HOSPICE, THE
This agency is a freestanding hospice that operates as a for-profit entity. They joined the Medicare program on June 17, 2020. Medicare certification means the provider follows federal rules for patient care and safety. These rules ensure that all patients get a baseline level of support. Families should know that being Medicare certified is a sign of legitimacy. It shows the agency meets strict standards set by the government. This provider holds top marks for their quality of care. Their score comes from the Hospice Care Index, which measures how well a hospice meets patient needs. High ratings show they follow best practices in hospice medicine and patient comfort. You can feel better knowing they perform at the highest level based on current national data.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in MCDONOUGH?
Hospice care in Henry County focuses on managing pain and supporting your family. The team works together to ensure the patient stays comfortable in their own home. This provider maintains a team of 14 employees to handle these needs. The staff includes 6 registered nurses and 1 physician. These professionals visit the home to check on symptoms and adjust care plans as needed. Having a dedicated doctor and several nurses on staff creates a strong support system for your loved one. They coordinate with your family to keep everyone informed about the care process. This team approach helps manage complex health issues with care and speed. It allows the patient to spend their time in a familiar environment surrounded by the people they love most.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable asking questions before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Ask how the team handles pain management and what the process is for getting new medicine. You may also want to know how often a nurse will visit your home each week. Ask who will be the main person you talk to when you have questions about the care plan. Finally, ask if they have staff available on weekends or holidays for extra support. Getting clear answers helps you feel more confident about your choice. Write your questions down so you do not forget anything during your first meeting.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations to cherish.
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