NORTHERN LIGHT HOME CARE & HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 225 GORHAM RD, SUITE 200
SOUTH PORTLAND, ME 04106 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 28, 1991
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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) | 103 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 9 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 144 |
158
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 NORTHERN LIGHT HOME CARE & HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 NORTHERN LIGHT HOME CARE & HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 63rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
202
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 day13.5 min
Ranks better than about 63% 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 weekends9.6%
Ranks better than about 67% 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%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 visits55.1%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 care9.6%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 months30%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 care6.4%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 hospice3.6%
Ranks better than about 19% 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)90th 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$12,231 · 19th 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 65.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.8%
- Visits in the last days of life65.4%
- All care steps completed99.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer28%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease23%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Northern Light Home Care & Hospice
Northern Light Home Care & Hospice serves families in South Portland, Maine. They provide home-based care options for those facing a life-limiting illness. The organization holds accreditation from the Joint Commission. This group acts as an independent auditor to check how well a provider meets safety and care standards. Choosing an accredited provider means a third party has verified their work. Families can look to this as a sign of consistent practice. The team operates out of their office on Gorham Road. They are ready to help patients and families in the Cumberland County area. It is a local resource for those who need medical support at home. Their long history of service dates back to early 1991. They have been a part of this community for many years.
Provider Details and Background
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status often means the group puts extra resources back into their patient services. They earned their Medicare certification in January 1991. This shows they have met federal rules for a long time. The Joint Commission accreditation adds another layer of oversight. These surveyors visit the site to review medical records and safety protocols. They focus on how the staff manages care and protects patient rights. What this means for your family is that the provider follows strict national rules. You should feel comfortable asking about these standards during your first meeting. The agency employs 158 staff members to cover their daily needs. This includes a large team of 103 registered nurses and 9 licensed practical nurses. They also work with 144 volunteers who offer extra support. That is a large team working together for your loved one.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in South Portland?
Hospice care in South Portland focuses on comfort and symptom management for the patient. The goal is to improve the quality of each day for the person and their family. Care happens where the patient lives. This could be a private home or a care facility in Cumberland County. The team includes two doctors who oversee the medical plan. A group of 103 registered nurses provides the bulk of the direct clinical care. They work alongside 9 licensed practical nurses to handle daily medical tasks. Social workers and aides often join the team to help with emotional needs and personal care. Volunteers also spend time with families to provide companionship. This mix of staff helps the agency manage complex medical needs while keeping the patient comfortable. It is a team effort designed to support the whole person. They make sure someone is always there to listen and help.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting a care provider requires clear answers to your questions. You should speak with the agency about their specific approach to pain control. Ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a problem happens at night. You should also find out how often the hospice team will visit your home. It helps to ask how they handle changes in the patient's condition. Ask if they can provide extra support from volunteers or social workers. You might want to know how they work with the patient's current primary doctor. Do not feel rushed during these conversations. Get the information you need to make a choice that fits your family's values. A good provider will be happy to answer these questions with honesty. They want you to feel confident in the care you receive. Take your time to find the right fit for your loved ones.
Preserve Your Family Stories
During this time, capturing memories and stories becomes even more meaningful. Learn how to record and save your family history for future generations.
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