SOUTHERN GRACE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 80 CANDLER ROAD
MCDONOUGH, GA 30253 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 28, 2014
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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) | 33 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 8 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 18 |
127
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 SOUTHERN GRACE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE 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
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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 SOUTHERN GRACE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 65th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
225
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 day13.7 min
Ranks better than about 65% 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 weekends8.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 visits66.9%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 care5.3%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 months41.3%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 care18%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 hospice5.3%
Ranks better than about 10% 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$21,742 · 69th 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 63.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment95.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.5%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life63.4%
- All care steps completed97.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia25%
- Heart and circulatory disease24%
- Lung and respiratory disease5%
- Stroke21%
- Other conditions6%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Henry County
Southern Grace Hospice and Palliative Care serves families in McDonough, Georgia. They offer medical support and comfort for people facing serious illnesses. Their team works right in your community to provide care where you live. Whether you need help at home or in a facility, they focus on quality of life. It is about making sure your loved one feels peace every single day. This team is ready to help you navigate this difficult season. They know the area well. That local touch makes a real difference when you need help fast.
About Southern Grace Hospice and Palliative Care
Southern Grace Hospice and Palliative Care has been Medicare certified since August 2014. They operate as a for-profit provider. This means they manage their own resources to deliver specific care goals. What families should know is that they have a strong track record of service in Henry County. Being certified for over a decade shows they understand the rules of hospice care. They must meet federal standards to keep this status. That is a big deal for your peace of mind. You want a team that knows the regulations inside and out. They are located at 80 Candler Road. If you have questions about their specific programs, you can reach them at (678) 432-8811. Talking to their staff directly is the best way to see if they are a good fit for your family.
High Marks for Care and Satisfaction
Understanding Hospice Care in McDonough
Hospice is about more than just medicine. It is about keeping your loved one comfortable and surrounded by people who care. In McDonough, you have options for this kind of support. Most people do not realize that hospice can start earlier than many think. You do not need to wait until the final days to ask for help. The goal is to manage pain and stress so your loved one can enjoy their time. The team at Southern Grace works to build a plan that fits your family's unique rhythm. They focus on the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient. And they also support the family members who are watching their loved ones go through this. It is a team effort. You are not meant to do this alone. Reach out and see how they can lighten your load.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice team is a personal decision. You should feel comfortable asking hard questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. That is vital for your safety. Also, ask how they handle pain management and what their philosophy is on comfort. You want to know if they provide support for family members after the loss. This is called bereavement care. It is a standard part of hospice, but it helps to know how they offer it. Ask them how they will coordinate care with your primary doctor. Good communication keeps everyone on the same page. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity. You deserve to feel confident in the team you choose. They should be happy to answer every single one of your concerns.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
This time of life is about more than just care. It is a chance to gather your family stories and preserve the wisdom of your loved ones for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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GENTIVA
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