GUARDIAN HEALTHCARE & HOSPICE, LLC
Provider Information
- Address
- 1775 WINNETKA ROAD, STE 101
NORTHFIELD, IL 60093 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 8, 2009
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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) | 3 |
| Physicians | 0 |
5
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 GUARDIAN HEALTHCARE & HOSPICE, LLC reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2009.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how GUARDIAN HEALTHCARE & HOSPICE, LLC compares to hospices nationwide.
12.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 54th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
163
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 day12.6 min
Ranks better than about 54% 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 weekends2.9%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 life88.6%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 visits65.4%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 care4.1%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 months51.6%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 care7.4%
Ranks better than about 48% 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 hospice0.8%
Ranks better than about 53% 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$23,273 · 76th 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 49% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.8%
- Pain assessment95%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.1%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.4%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life49%
- All care steps completed92.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer15%
- Dementia46%
- Heart and circulatory disease24%
- Lung and respiratory disease3%
- Stroke3%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Guardian Healthcare & Hospice, LLC
Guardian Healthcare & Hospice, LLC serves families in Northfield, Illinois, from their office on Winnetka Road. They provide specialized end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity for patients in Cook County. Choosing a hospice team is a deeply personal decision that changes how a loved one spends their final months. This provider has been certified by Medicare since May 2009, bringing over 15 years of experience to the local community. They offer medical support, nursing care, and emotional guidance to help families manage complex health needs at home. Their goal is to improve quality of life when curative treatments are no longer the primary focus. It is about making every day count, regardless of the diagnosis. Having a local team nearby often makes coordination much smoother during difficult times. Families in the Northfield area can rely on this team to provide consistent, professional hospice support when it matters most.
About Guardian Healthcare & Hospice, LLC
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. Some families wonder if that changes the care, but all Medicare-certified hospices must follow the same strict federal rules for quality and safety. Being certified since 2009 shows they have a long history of meeting these standards in the Chicago area. The thing is, hospice is a team effort. You will likely meet nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains who all work together to support your loved one. They provide medication, medical equipment, and supplies related to the hospice diagnosis at no extra cost to the family. That is a big deal for household budgets. You should feel comfortable asking them about their specific team structure and how they handle after-hours calls. Understanding their history and how they operate helps you feel more confident in your choice. Every hospice has a unique culture, so it is wise to meet the staff and see if they feel like the right fit for your specific family needs.
Understanding Hospice Care in Northfield
Hospice care in Cook County is designed to surround the patient with a circle of support. It is not just about the patient; it is about the whole family unit. Most people assume hospice is only for the final days, but you can actually receive these services for months. The key is to start early so the team can build a strong relationship with your loved one. This helps keep them comfortable and avoids unnecessary trips to the emergency room. And here is a secret: most hospice care happens exactly where the patient lives. Whether that is a private home or an assisted living facility, the team comes to you. Local providers like Guardian Healthcare & Hospice understand the unique resources available in the Northfield area. They can help connect you with local supplies or community support groups that make caregiving a little easier. You do not have to carry this burden by yourself. Lean on the professionals to handle the medical side while you focus on being a family member.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team feels overwhelming, but you have the power to ask the right questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a crisis happens at night. You need a team that responds fast. Ask how they handle pain management and if they have a doctor who specializes in end-of-life symptoms. It is also good to ask how they support the family after a loss. Grief support is a vital part of what hospice does for the living. Finally, ask them to explain their patient satisfaction scores. If they have a lower score in that area, ask what they are doing to improve it. They should be honest and open with you. If they seem defensive, that might be a sign to look elsewhere. Trust your gut feeling during these talks. You want a team that listens to your fears and answers your questions with kindness, patience, and clear, simple language.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The memories you share with your loved ones are a precious gift. Take a moment to capture these stories and preserve your family history for the generations to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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