HOSPICE OF SOUTHERN MAINE
Provider Information
- Address
- 390 US ROUTE 1
SCARBOROUGH, ME 04074 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 4, 1995
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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) | 50 |
| Volunteers | 5 |
124
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 SOUTHERN MAINE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF SOUTHERN MAINE 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.
224
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 weekends8.2%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 life93.6%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 visits64.8%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 care11.7%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 months25.4%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 care7.3%
Ranks better than about 49% 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%
Ranks better than about 50% 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)96th 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$11,043 · 15th 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 51.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment99.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life51.8%
- All care steps completed99.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer37%
- Dementia9%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke11%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Southern Maine
Hospice of Southern Maine serves families in Scarborough and surrounding areas from their office on US Route 1. They offer specialized end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. This non-profit organization provides medical, emotional, and spiritual support for patients and their loved ones. The team works to manage pain and symptoms while honoring the patient's personal wishes. That is their main goal. They are a well-known resource for families in Cumberland County who need compassionate support during a difficult time. Choosing the right provider is a big step. Having a local team that knows the community can make a real difference. They focus on the person, not just the illness. This approach helps families find peace in their daily routine. It is about making every moment count when time feels short.
About Hospice of Southern Maine
Hospice of Southern Maine has been Medicare certified since January 1995. Being a non-profit organization means their primary focus remains on patient care rather than profits. This is a big deal for families looking for reliable, mission-driven services. They have served the area for nearly three decades, which shows deep roots in the local medical community. Most families feel better knowing their provider has a long history of meeting federal standards. When you choose them, you are working with a team that has been vetted by Medicare for many years. That says a lot about their stability. They follow strict rules to ensure high-quality care for every patient. You should feel comfortable asking about their specific team structure and how they handle after-hours calls. It is your right to understand how they support your family at home. They are there to help you navigate these choices with clarity and kindness.
Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Scarborough
Hospice care in Maine is designed to help people live as fully as possible. It is not about giving up, as many people mistakenly believe. Instead, it is about shifting the focus to comfort and pain relief. In Cumberland County, several options exist, but finding a team that fits your family's values is key. The thing is, hospice is a team effort. You get a nurse, a social worker, and sometimes volunteers to help with daily needs. They come to where you live, whether that is a house or a care facility. This keeps the patient in a familiar, comfortable setting. Many families find that having professional help nearby reduces their own stress levels significantly. It allows you to spend your time being a family member rather than a caregiver. That shift changes everything for the better. Reach out to local providers early to understand how they can support your unique situation.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice is a deeply personal decision. Do not rush it. Start by asking how quickly they can respond to an urgent call at night or on the weekend. This is a common worry for many families. You should also ask how they help with emotional support for the family, not just the patient. It is important to know if they have experience with your specific health needs. Ask them to describe their volunteer program and how those people help. And finally, ask how they communicate with your primary doctor. Clear communication keeps everyone on the same page. Do not be afraid to ask these questions during your first meeting. A good hospice team will welcome your curiosity. They want you to feel confident and safe with their care. After all, trust is the foundation of the entire relationship. Take your time to get the answers you truly need.
Preserve your family's history
Every life has a unique story worth saving. We help you capture memories and wisdom to share with future generations, ensuring those special moments are never lost.
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