OVERLOOK HOSPICE SERVICES
Provider Information
- Address
- 88 MASONIC HOME ROAD, DAVENPORT BLDG, 2ND FL
CHARLTON, MA 01507 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 9, 2005
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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) | 9 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
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 OVERLOOK HOSPICE SERVICES 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how OVERLOOK HOSPICE SERVICES 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.
35
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 weekends8.7%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 life89%
Ranks better than about 28% 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 visits56.3%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 care9.1%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 months40.9%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 care6.8%
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 hospice9.1%
Ranks better than about 2% 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$13,547 · 26th 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 51.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening93.3%
- Pain assessment96.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.2%
- Breathing difficulty treatment92.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed97.6%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids95.6%
- Visits in the last days of life51.2%
- All care steps completed84.8%
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%
- Dementia22%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions12%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Overview of Overlook Hospice Services
Overlook Hospice Services provides compassionate end-of-life care in Charlton, Massachusetts. They focus on comfort, dignity, and support for families during a difficult season of life. Based at 88 Masonic Home Road, the team serves the Worcester County area with a commitment to high-quality care. It is a local resource for those who need medical and emotional help at home. They believe that every patient deserves peace and attention during their final months. That is the heart of their mission. Whether you are dealing with a new diagnosis or looking for long-term support, they are ready to step in. Their team works hard to make sure patients feel heard and cared for every single day. This is a big deal when you are searching for the right partner in care.
About Overlook Hospice Services
Overlook Hospice Services is a non-profit provider that has been Medicare certified since November 2005. That is nearly two decades of serving the Charlton community. Being non-profit often means the focus stays entirely on patient needs rather than corporate profits. And that matters. Families should know that they have a long track record of meeting federal standards. They have built a strong reputation in Worcester County over these many years. Choosing a hospice is a deeply personal decision. You want a team that feels like an extension of your own family. Overlook offers that kind of stability and care. They handle the medical details so you can focus on spending quality time with your loved one. It is all about making the remaining time as meaningful as possible for everyone involved.
High Quality Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Charlton
Hospice care is not about giving up. It is about choosing a different kind of path. In Charlton, you have access to teams that prioritize pain management and emotional support. The goal is to keep your loved one in their own home whenever possible. That is where people feel most comfortable. Most hospice providers in the Worcester area offer nurses, aides, and social workers who visit regularly. They also provide volunteers to sit with patients or help with chores. It is a team effort. You are never doing this alone. The beauty of hospice is that it surrounds the whole family, not just the patient. It provides peace of mind when things feel overwhelming. Understanding your options early on can make a world of difference for your family's future.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice is a big step. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You need to know that help is available 24/7. Ask how they handle pain management and if they have a doctor on call at all times. Also, check how they support family members after a loss. Grief counseling is a key part of their job. Finally, ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific health needs. You want a team that is comfortable and experienced. If you feel uneasy, keep asking questions until you feel calm. It is your right to know exactly how they will care for your person. Do not be afraid to be direct. A good provider will appreciate your honesty and will be happy to answer everything clearly.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories to share. We help you capture these precious memories in a simple way that your family can keep forever.
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