HOSPICE OF TIFT AREA
Provider Information
- Address
- 618 NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE
TIFTON, GA 31794 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 1, 1989
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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) | 11 |
| Physicians | 1 |
26
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 TIFT AREA 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF TIFT AREA compares to hospices nationwide.
8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 9th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
70
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 min
Ranks better than about 9% 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 weekends5.4%
Ranks better than about 19% 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 life99.6%
Ranks better than about 92% 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 visits60.6%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 care9.2%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 care7.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 hospice6.2%
Ranks better than about 7% 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)67th 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$12,789 · 22nd 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 77.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.4%
- Pain assessment98.4%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids97%
- Visits in the last days of life77.3%
- All care steps completed97.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer24%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease14%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Tifton
Hospice of Tift Area provides comfort-focused care for families living in Tifton, Georgia. Their team focuses on managing pain and supporting your loved one’s emotional well-being at home. They have served this community since 1989. That is over three decades of local experience. Choosing the right care is a big decision during a difficult time. This provider works to ensure your family feels heard and supported every single day. They offer specialized medical care alongside deep compassion for patients facing serious illness. It is about helping your family focus on what matters most right now: spending quality time together.
About Hospice of Tift Area
Hospice of Tift Area operates as a for-profit provider. They earned their Medicare certification back in June of 1989. This long history shows they have deep roots in Tift County. Many families ask if for-profit status changes the care quality. The truth is that all Medicare-certified hospices must follow the same strict federal rules. They are held to the same standards for medical care and patient safety. What matters most is how they treat your family when you need them the most. You should look for a team that listens to your concerns. You want a group that answers your calls quickly and treats your loved one with true dignity. That is what makes the difference.
High Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Tifton
Tifton families have access to professional hospice services designed to bring peace to the home. Hospice is not just about the end of life. It is about improving the quality of the life that remains. Most care happens right where the patient lives. Nurses, aides, and social workers visit to help with daily tasks and pain control. But they also offer spiritual and emotional support for the entire family. Many people wait too long to call for help. They think hospice is only for the very final days. That is a myth. You can start these services much sooner to get the full benefit of their support. It is a resource meant to make life easier for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You need to feel confident in your choice. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. This is vital for your peace of mind. Ask how the team handles pain management when symptoms change at night. You should also ask about the support they provide for family members. Do they offer grief counseling? How often will a volunteer or aide visit to help with personal care? It is okay to ask these hard questions. You are doing this for your loved one. A good hospice team will be happy to explain their process clearly. If they seem rushed or annoyed, look for another option. You deserve a partner that acts with kindness.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories. We can help you record their voice and stories to keep their legacy alive for future generations to cherish.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
Confused about hospice vs palliative care? We break down the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right end-of-life care for your loved one.
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
Confused about medicare hospice coverage? Discover exactly what is covered, how to manage costs, and navigate your benefits with our simple, expert guide.
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
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.