HEART OF HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1001 BAYOU PLACE
ALEXANDRIA, LA 71303 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 31, 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 August 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) | 16 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 9 |
34
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 HEART OF 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 HEART OF HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
8.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 15th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
82
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 day8.9 min
Ranks better than about 15% 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 weekends7%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 life93.1%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 visits56.5%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 care16.6%
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 months31.7%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 care15.2%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 hospice2.8%
Ranks better than about 28% 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)91st 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$13,446 · 25th 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 69.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life69.3%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer18%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease20%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Heart of Hospice
Heart of Hospice serves families in Alexandria, Louisiana. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice agency. They offer end-of-life care focused on comfort and symptom management for patients in Rapides County. Their team works to support families during a difficult season of life. Medicare certified since 1989, they have served the local community for many years. You can find their office at 1001 Bayou Place. Choosing the right care team is a big step for any family. This provider offers a long history of service to those in the Alexandria area who need hospice support.
About HEART OF HOSPICE
This agency is a for-profit hospice provider. Being Medicare certified means they meet federal standards for health and safety. The agency has held this status since 1989. That is a long track record in the hospice field. Families should know that Medicare certification requires regular checks on care quality. This process helps ensure that agencies follow strict rules for patient safety and comfort. They employ 34 staff members to manage their daily operations. This group includes 16 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have two physicians on staff to oversee medical care. Nine volunteers help provide extra support to patients and their families. Having a team with these roles allows for a well-rounded approach to care. Each staff member plays a part in keeping the patient comfortable at home or in a care facility.
What Is Hospice Care Like in ALEXANDRIA?
Hospice care in Alexandria focuses on the comfort of the patient. The goal is to improve quality of life when a cure is no longer the main focus. Care teams come to where the patient lives. This could be a private home or a nursing facility. They bring medical supplies and equipment to the patient. The team includes doctors, nurses, and volunteers. They work together to manage pain and other symptoms. One registered nurse often coordinates the plan with the family doctor. The team also offers emotional and spiritual support. They help families handle the stress of caring for a loved one. This allows the family to spend time together. It is about making each day as good as it can be for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice is a serious choice. You should feel comfortable with the team you select. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to the home if a problem happens at night. Ask what happens if the patient needs more care than the home can provide. You should also ask how the team will talk to your own family doctor. It is good to know how they handle pain management and comfort needs. Ask how many staff members they have to support patients in the area. You can also ask what role volunteers play in the daily care plan. Finally, ask what support they offer to family members after a death. These questions help you understand how the agency works. Clear answers will help you feel more confident in your choice.
Other Hospice Providers Nearby
COMPASSIONATE CARE HOSPICE
ST JOSEPH HOSPICE OF CENLA, LLC
CHRISTUS HOSPICE ST FRANCES CABRINI
GUARDIAN HOSPICE CARE,LLC
STILL WATERS HOSPICE, LLC
HARBOR HOSPICE OF ALEXANDRIA, LP
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