NORTHERN LIGHT HOME CARE & HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 225 GORHAM RD, SUITE 200
SOUTH PORTLAND, ME 04106 - Ownership Type
- Other
- 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 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) | 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 screening99.8%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.7%
- Visits in the last days of life65.4%
- 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.
- Cancer28%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease23%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Northern Light Home Care & Hospice
Northern Light Home Care & Hospice serves families in South Portland, Maine. They provide end-of-life care and support services for patients with life-limiting illnesses. This provider holds accreditation from the Joint Commission. That is a national group that checks for high safety standards. They have offered these services since early 1991. You can find their office on Gorham Road. Their team works to provide care that meets federal rules. It is good to know they have been a part of the local healthcare system for many years. Choosing a provider with a long history of certification can help you feel more at ease. They remain focused on delivering care to those who need it most in the Cumberland County area.
About Northern Light Home Care & Hospice
This provider operates under an other ownership structure. They have been certified by Medicare for over three decades. Accreditation by the Joint Commission means they choose to undergo extra reviews. These reviews look at how they handle patient safety and medical quality. Most families feel better knowing a third party checks the work. The Joint Commission sets high bars for care in medical settings. They look at how staff talk to families and manage medications. This process helps the agency keep their standards high. You should ask about their specific experience with your loved one's needs. Understanding their history can give you peace of mind. They have many staff members ready to assist with daily care needs. It is helpful to know who will be coming into your home to help your loved ones during this time.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in South Portland?
Hospice care in this part of Maine centers on comfort and dignity. The team at Northern Light Home Care & Hospice includes 103 registered nurses and 9 licensed practical nurses. They also have 2 physicians on staff. A group of 144 volunteers helps round out the care team. This number of staff helps them manage the needs of many patients at once. These professionals work together to manage pain and provide emotional support. They visit homes to ensure the patient is as comfortable as possible. You can expect the team to coordinate with your family on a regular plan. They offer support that goes beyond just medical tasks. Having this many people involved shows they have a wide range of skills to help you. It is a team effort designed to make each day better for the patient and their loved ones.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to ask questions before you pick a team. Start by asking how often a nurse will visit the home. You should also ask how they handle pain if it happens in the middle of the night. It is smart to ask how they help family members cope with grief. Another good question is how they coordinate care with your regular doctor. Ask about their volunteer program and how those people help. You might also want to know how they handle medical equipment delivery. Make sure you understand the plan before you sign any papers. It is your right to be fully informed. Write down your list of questions before you call or meet with them. This helps you keep track of the answers you get from each group you talk to.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your family has a unique history that deserves to be remembered. We provide tools to help you record and save those precious memories for future generations.
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