VISITING NURSE & COMMUNITY CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 37 BROADWAY, 2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON, MA 02474 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 7, 2009
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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) | 5 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
13
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 VISITING NURSE & COMMUNITY CARE 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how VISITING NURSE & COMMUNITY CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 69th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
46
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 day14.1 min
Ranks better than about 69% 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 weekends5.3%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 life98.3%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 visits45%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 care8.3%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 months50%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 care14.6%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 hospice2.1%
Ranks better than about 36% 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$28,460 · 89th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 86% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment87.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment90%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.7%
- Visits in the last days of life86%
- All care steps completed90.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer9%
- Dementia42%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Other conditions20%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Hospice Care in Arlington
Visiting Nurse & Community Care serves the Arlington area with dedicated end-of-life support. They provide essential hospice services directly to patients in their own homes. The team focuses on comfort and dignity during a difficult time. That is their main goal. By working in Middlesex County, they bring care to where families feel most at ease. It is a local choice for those needing specialized support near home. They handle medical needs while keeping the patient surrounded by familiar things. That matters a lot when health declines. This team works hard to make every day as peaceful as possible. Their presence offers a sense of relief to both the patient and their loved ones. If you live in or near Arlington, this provider is a resource to consider for your care journey.
About VISITING NURSE & COMMUNITY CARE
This organization operates as a non-profit provider. That is a big deal for many families. It means their mission centers on care rather than profits. They have been certified by Medicare since July 2009. That is over 15 years of experience serving the community. You want a team with a long, steady track record. They know the local systems well. Being a non-profit often means they put extra resources back into their patient programs. You will find them located at 37 Broadway, 2nd Floor. They are ready to talk when you have questions about your options. They understand that choosing a provider is a deeply personal decision. The thing is, you do not have to walk this path alone. They have the background to guide your family through the hospice process with care and clear communication.
Quality Care Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in ARLINGTON
Hospice care is not just about the final days. It is about living as well as possible for as long as possible. In Arlington, families have access to teams that manage pain and symptoms at home. The goal is to keep the patient out of the hospital. You get a team of nurses, aides, and social workers. They come to you. And they provide support for the whole family, not just the patient. Many people wait too long to start these services. The truth is, hospice can provide support for months, not just weeks. It helps lift the burden of daily caregiving from your shoulders. You can focus on being a daughter, a son, or a spouse again. That shift in focus is life-changing for many local families. It brings peace to a stressful time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right partner for hospice care is a big step. You should feel comfortable asking tough questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an urgent issue pops up. That is a vital question. Next, ask how they handle pain medicine after hours. You need to know that help is available at 3:00 AM on a Sunday. Also, ask how they support family caregivers. Do they offer respite care so you can take a break? Finally, ask about their experience with your specific health needs. Every person is different. You need a team that listens to your specific story. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity until you are satisfied. A good provider will be happy to answer every single one of these questions.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories worth sharing. We can help you capture those stories to keep them safe for future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
CMS released 16,894 hospice inspection reports from late 2021 to early 2026. See what surveyors cited most, what serious findings mean, and how to use them.
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
Confused about hospice vs palliative care? We break down the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right end-of-life care for your loved one.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.