LEGACY LIFECARE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 123 CAPTAIN'S ROW
CHELSEA, MA 02150 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 22, 2008
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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 |
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 LEGACY LIFECARE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how LEGACY LIFECARE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
6.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 3rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
33
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 from January 2022 through December 2024. 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 day6.3 min
Ranks better than about 3% 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 weekends4.6%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 life70.8%
Ranks better than about 8% 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 visits93.9%
Ranks better than about 3% 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 care6.5%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 months48.4%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 care6.5%
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 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$19,724 · 59th 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 28.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.1%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life28.6%
- All care steps completed90.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer14%
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Other conditions40%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Chelsea
Legacy Lifecare Hospice and Palliative Care serves families living in Chelsea, Massachusetts. They offer specialized end-of-life support and comfort-focused care. Their team works to manage pain and symptoms for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing a provider in your own community often makes a big difference for daily comfort. And having a team nearby means they can respond quickly when needs change. The goal is always to keep your loved one comfortable in their own home or chosen setting. That said, the right care team can turn a scary time into a period of peace for the whole family.
About Legacy Lifecare Hospice and Palliative Care
Legacy Lifecare operates as a non-profit organization. This means their focus stays on patient needs rather than profit margins. They have been Medicare certified since August 22, 2008. That represents over fifteen years of experience serving the Suffolk County area. You can find them at 123 Captain's Row in Chelsea. When you look at a provider, check their history. Long-term certification shows they have met federal standards for a long time. It is a good sign of stability. If you have questions about their specific programs, call them at (617) 889-0779. Their staff can explain how they help families navigate these final months. The most important part is feeling heard and supported by the people you choose to invite into your home.
Understanding Hospice Care in Chelsea
Finding care in a busy city like Chelsea can feel overwhelming. But hospice is a specific type of benefit covered by Medicare. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing comfort over hospital trips. In Suffolk County, you have several options for support. The thing is, all hospice teams provide the same core services. They all bring in nurses, aides, and social workers to help. But they differ in how they talk to families and how fast they visit. Ask for a meeting with a few different providers if you have the time. You want a group that feels like a good fit for your family's personality. Do not be afraid to ask for references or talk to neighbors who have used these services before. You deserve a team that truly listens.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right team is a deeply personal choice. Start by asking how quickly they can arrive for a visit in an emergency. You should also ask who will be on your loved one’s core team. Will you see the same nurse every week, or will it be a rotating staff? This matters for building trust. Ask how they handle pain management at night or on weekends. Do they have a doctor on call 24/7? Finally, ask how they support the family after a loss. Many providers offer grief counseling for months after the patient passes. These questions help you see if their values match yours. Take your time with these talks. You are building a partnership for one of the most important chapters of life.
Preserve Your Family's Story
The stories of our loved ones are their greatest legacy. We can help you record and save these memories for future generations during this important time.
Learn MoreOther Hospice Providers Nearby
OLD COLONY HOSPICE, INC
OVERLOOK HOSPICE SERVICES
LEGACY LIFECARE HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE CARE- WEST
VNA & HOSPICE OF COOLEY DICKINSON
LONGWOOD HOSPICE
VISITING NURSE & COMMUNITY CARE
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Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
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