SANFORD HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE SHELDON
Provider Information
- Address
- 118 NORTH SEVENTH STREET, PO BOX 250
SHELDON, IA 51201 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 19, 1992
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
7
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 SANFORD HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE SHELDON 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
- Both supplied directly and through outside suppliers
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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SANFORD HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE SHELDON compares to hospices nationwide.
15.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 81st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
6
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 day15.8 min
Ranks better than about 81% 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 weekends2.7%
Ranks better than about 3% 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 life89.4%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 visits41.9%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 care10%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 months40%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 hospice10%
Ranks better than about 2% 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)74th 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$8,346 · 6th 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 7 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 44.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening97.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life44.3%
- All care steps completed97.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer33%
- Dementia28%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Sanford Home Health and Hospice Sheldon
Sanford Home Health and Hospice Sheldon serves families across O'Brien County from its office on North Seventh Street. This provider offers hospice services to those needing end-of-life care in the Sheldon area. They have provided these services to the community since 1992. Being a non-profit organization, they focus their resources on patient care. Choosing a local provider often helps families stay connected to their own community. It brings a sense of familiarity during a difficult time. This team works to support patients wherever they call home. Their long history of service reflects a steady presence in Iowa. They remain a constant option for those seeking hospice care in the region.
Understanding this provider
As a non-profit organization, Sanford Home Health and Hospice Sheldon operates under a structure that prioritizes care goals. They have held Medicare certification for over three decades. This certification means they meet federal rules for hospice quality and safety. Families should know that this oversight is a standard measure for hospice providers. It ensures that the care meets specific national benchmarks. The provider functions as a hospital-based service. This connection can be helpful when a patient needs access to broader medical resources. Their team consists of seven employees in total. This includes three registered nurses who manage daily care needs. They do not currently use volunteers in their care delivery model. It is helpful to understand how their small team structure works to support your family member.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Sheldon?
Hospice care in Sheldon centers on comfort and symptom management for patients with terminal illness. Local teams provide care that fits the needs of the patient and their family. The staff at this location includes three registered nurses. These nurses lead the clinical side of care to ensure comfort is a top priority. They coordinate with doctors and family members to create a plan. This plan changes as the needs of the patient change over time. It is a team effort. The lack of volunteers means the professional staff handles all direct care visits. That is a clear distinction for families to note when planning. Care is often provided in the patient's home or a nursing facility. This flexibility allows patients to remain in a place that feels comfortable and familiar to them.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before choosing a hospice provider for your loved one. Start by asking how many visits a nurse will make each week. It is also wise to ask about their after-hours support process. You need to know who answers the phone when a crisis happens at night. Ask how they handle pain management and symptom control. Find out if they have experience with the specific condition your loved one has. You might also ask about their process for helping families cope with grief. These answers give you a better picture of the daily care experience. Do not feel rushed to make a decision. Take your time to gather the facts. Good providers will be happy to answer every question you have about their service.
Preserving Family Memories
Capture the stories and wisdom of your loved ones to keep their legacy alive for future generations.
Start PreservingOther Hospice Providers Nearby
BURGESS HOSPICE
HOSPICE OF DUBUQUE
WINNMED HOSPICE
GUNDERSEN PALMER LUTHERAN HOSP AND CLINICS-HOSPICE
AVERA @ HOME OF SPENCER HOSPITAL
MYRTUE MEDICAL CENTER HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
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.
How to Start Hospice Conversations: A Practical Guide
Learn how to start hospice conversations with your loved ones. Get expert scripts, signs it is time, and tools to find quality care near you with Hospice Scout.
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.