LONGWOOD HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 637 WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 102
BROOKLINE, MA 02446 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 10, 2022
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 5 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 20 |
19
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 LONGWOOD HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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 LONGWOOD HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 39th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
26
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day11.3 min
Ranks better than about 39% 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 weekends4.7%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 life95.3%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 visits81.5%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 care9.5%
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 months47.6%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 care9.5%
Ranks better than about 38% 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$24,698 · 81st 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 6 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 79.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed98.4%
- Beliefs and values discussed91.9%
- Visits in the last days of life79.1%
- All care steps completed88.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Dementia46%
- Stroke20%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Longwood Hospice
Longwood Hospice serves families in Brookline, Massachusetts, and the surrounding Norfolk County area. This provider offers end-of-life care designed to manage symptoms and support comfort. They have been certified by Medicare since May 2022. The team holds accreditation from the Joint Commission. This means an outside group checked their work to make sure they follow high safety rules. That is a clear sign of their commitment to care. They operate as a for-profit provider in a freestanding building. Families looking for care in this area can expect a team that has met national standards for performance. Their goal is to provide quality support when it is needed most. Having this accreditation offers an extra layer of confidence for those choosing a partner for their loved one. It shows they value third-party oversight of their daily operations.
Quality and Care Standards
Longwood Hospice maintains top-tier status based on the most recent Medicare quality assessments. They earned the highest possible mark for their overall performance. Their quality of care score also sits at the top of the scale according to the Hospice Care Index. These marks reflect how well the team manages pain and meets patient needs. The Joint Commission accreditation adds to this picture. This group reviews hospice programs to confirm they meet specific safety and quality goals. Most providers do not seek this extra level of review. It requires a lot of work to keep that status. When you see these high ratings combined with outside accreditation, you know the agency takes their job seriously. They focus on clear results. This helps families understand the level of support they will receive. High scores mean patients are likely to get timely and effective care during their stay.
Quality Note
What Is Hospice Care Like in Brookline?
Hospice care in Brookline focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings medical help and emotional support directly to where the patient lives. This could be a private home or a care facility. Longwood Hospice employs 19 total staff members to handle these needs. This team includes five registered nurses and two physicians. They also have 20 volunteers who provide extra companionship and help for families. That is a large group of people ready to assist. Most hospice care happens in the home, which allows patients to stay in a familiar space. The staff visits regularly to adjust medication and check on physical symptoms. They also offer support to the family members who are providing daily care. Having a large volunteer base means they have more hands to help with non-medical tasks. This setup ensures the patient stays comfortable and the family feels supported throughout the process.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice is a big decision for your family. You should feel comfortable with the team you pick. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. It is a good idea to know their response time. Ask how they handle pain management during the night or on weekends. You want to know they are available when you need them. Ask how many staff members will be involved in the weekly care plan. It helps to understand who you will see most often. You might also ask if they have volunteers who can sit with your loved one for a few hours. This gives the primary caregiver a chance to rest. These questions help you see if their services match your specific needs. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity on any part of their care plan.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is often a chance to share memories and record the stories that define your family. Find simple ways to save these important moments for the future.
View Legacy ToolsOther Hospice Providers Nearby
TRINITY HOSPICE, LLC
GENTIVA
COMPASSUS - GREATER WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
VISITING NURSE & COMMUNITY CARE
OLD COLONY HOSPICE, INC
COMMUNITY NURSE HOME CARE, INC
Helpful Guides for Families
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
A federal fraud crackdown froze new hospice enrollments in 2026. Here's how to verify a hospice is legitimate, Medicare-certified, and safe to trust.
Highest-Rated Hospice Providers in Orange County, CA 2026
22 Orange County, CA hospices tie at a perfect 10 on CMS's Hospice Care Index. See all 22 A to Z, and which 9 also carry a Medicare family survey star.
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.