GUIDING LIGHT HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 157 BURKE ST SUITE 110
STOCKBRIDGE, GA 30281 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 4, 2021
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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) | 18 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 4 |
43
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 GUIDING LIGHT 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
- 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 GUIDING LIGHT HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
11 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 35th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
87
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 day11 min
Ranks better than about 35% 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 weekends5.5%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 life95.9%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 visits57.8%
Ranks better than about 43% 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 care16.5%
Ranks better than about 7% 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 months11.7%
Ranks better than about 95% 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 care16.5%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 hospice1.9%
Ranks better than about 39% 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$13,522 · 26th 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 68.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.2%
- Pain assessment98.4%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment91.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.6%
- Beliefs and values discussed95.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids96.2%
- Visits in the last days of life68.8%
- All care steps completed91%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer22%
- Dementia30%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Support for Families in Stockbridge
Guiding Light Hospice provides end-of-life care for patients and their families in Stockbridge, Georgia. They operate out of their office on Burke Street in Henry County. Their team focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life during a very difficult time. The thing is, choosing the right support can make a world of difference for your peace of mind. They offer services designed to manage pain and provide emotional support for loved ones. It is not just about medical care; it is about human connection. When you work with a local provider, you get a team that understands the community. They are there to walk beside you every single step of the way. If you live in the 30281 area, this team is ready to help you navigate these complex days with grace and kindness.
About GUIDING LIGHT HOSPICE
Guiding Light Hospice is a for-profit organization. They have been Medicare certified since August 4, 2021. That means they meet federal standards for hospice care. It is a big deal to find a team you trust. You should know that for-profit providers are common in Georgia. What matters most is how they treat your family. They must follow strict rules set by Medicare to keep their certification. This ensures they have the right staff and resources to keep your loved one comfortable. They are required to show they provide quality care to every patient. You can look at their history and see they have been active for several years now. That experience counts when you need someone who knows the ropes. Ask them about their specific approach to care plans during your first meeting.
High Quality Care Standards
Understanding Hospice Care in STOCKBRIDGE
Hospice care is a special way to support people when they have a life-limiting illness. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing comfort over hospital trips. In Henry County, you have a few choices for care providers. But you want to pick one that fits your family's specific values. Most hospice care happens right in your own home. That is where people feel safest. The team comes to you to help with meds, equipment, and emotional support. They also give family caregivers a much-needed break sometimes. That is called respite care. It is a vital part of the hospice model. You deserve to have someone in your corner who knows the local resources. Use your voice to ask for exactly what your loved one needs to stay happy and calm each day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice is a deeply personal decision. You need to feel good about your choice. Start by asking these simple questions to get a clear picture. First, ask how quickly they can respond if there is an emergency at night. You do not want to wait hours for help. Second, ask how they handle pain management for their patients. Do they have a clear plan? Third, ask how they support the family after the patient passes away. Grief support is a huge part of their job. And finally, ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific diagnosis. Everyone is different. It is smart to find a team that has seen it all before. Take your time with these talks. You are building a partnership for the coming months.
Keep Their Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories worth saving. Start recording their stories today to create a beautiful gift for future generations to cherish forever.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
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Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
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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.