HOSPICE OF THE FISHER HOME
Provider Information
- Address
- 1165 NORTH PLEASANT STREET
AMHERST, MA 01002 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 21, 2006
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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) | 10 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
30
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 THE FISHER HOME 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 HOSPICE OF THE FISHER HOME compares to hospices nationwide.
20
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.
- Skilled nursing on weekends3.1%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 visits60%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 care6.7%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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)52nd 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$8,310 · 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 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 68.6% 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 life68.6%
- 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.
- Cancer26%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions25%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care in Amherst
Hospice of the Fisher Home offers compassionate end-of-life support for patients in Amherst, Massachusetts. Located on North Pleasant Street, they focus on keeping patients comfortable and surrounded by loved ones. Their team works hard to manage pain and provide emotional support during a difficult time. This local provider has served the Hampshire County area for many years. Choosing the right hospice is a major step. It is all about finding a team that matches your family's values and needs. They offer specialized care designed to honor the dignity of every person they serve. Whether you need help at home or in a facility, they are there to support you through the journey. You do not have to walk this path alone. Their presence in the community provides a sense of security for many families living in the region.
About Hospice of the Fisher Home
Hospice of the Fisher Home operates as a non-profit organization. That is a big deal because it means their mission is driven by patient care rather than profit. They have been Medicare certified since September 21, 2006. This long history shows they have met federal standards for a long time. Being non-profit often allows a hospice to focus deeply on community needs and volunteer programs. They are committed to providing high-quality care that meets strict government rules. When you choose a non-profit, you know the focus stays on the patient. The staff is trained to handle both physical symptoms and the emotional toll of illness. They work with your doctor to create a care plan that fits your specific situation perfectly. It is comforting to know they have been a steady part of the Amherst healthcare landscape for nearly two decades.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in Amherst
Hospice care is a special way of providing medical and emotional support. It focuses on quality of life when a cure is no longer the main goal. In Amherst, families have access to teams that include nurses, aides, and social workers. These professionals visit you where you live. They make sure pain is controlled and comfort is the top priority. The thing is, many people wait too long to start these services. Starting early allows the team to build a real relationship with the patient. It also gives the family more time to learn how to help their loved one. Hospice is not just for the final days of life. It is a support system for the final months. The goal is to help everyone focus on making memories instead of worrying about medical tasks. That is the true heart of hospice care.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a provider feels overwhelming, but you have the power to ask questions. Start by asking how quickly they can respond if a crisis happens at night or on a weekend. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Ask about their volunteer program too. Volunteers can offer companionship or help with simple chores around the house. It is also smart to ask how they handle pain management. Every patient is different, and the team should be ready to adjust the plan. Finally, ask what support they offer to family members after a loss. Grief support is a vital part of the hospice mission. Do not be afraid to ask for specifics. You deserve clear answers so you can feel confident in your decision. The right provider will be happy to talk through all these details with you.
Preserve Your Family’s Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories. We can help you record their voice and stories so they are never forgotten by future generations.
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