CARE CENTRAL VNA & HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 34 PEARLY LANE
GARDNER, MA 01440 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 9, 1991
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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 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
27
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 CARE CENTRAL VNA & HOSPICE 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 CARE CENTRAL VNA & HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 65th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
63
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 day13.7 min
Ranks better than about 65% 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 weekends7.5%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 life93.4%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 visits31.8%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 care8.8%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 months26.3%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 care3.5%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 hospice5.3%
Ranks better than about 10% 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$12,941 · 23rd 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 53.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- 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 life53.9%
- All care steps completed99.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia22%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke3%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care Central VNA & Hospice in Gardner
Care Central VNA & Hospice provides end of life support for families in Gardner, Massachusetts. They have served the Worcester County area since 1991. This organization holds Medicare certification. They help patients stay comfortable at home during their final months. Their team works to manage pain and provide emotional support for everyone involved. This is a for-profit hospice agency. They aim to provide high-quality care to their local community. The office is located on Pearly Lane. Families often choose this provider for their long history of service in the region.
About Care Central VNA & Hospice
This agency operates as a for-profit provider. They have maintained Medicare certification for over thirty years. This history shows they meet strict federal standards for patient safety and care quality. Being a Medicare certified hospice means they must pass regular state reviews. These reviews check that the staff follows medical rules. The agency employs 27 people. This team includes 10 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have 3 volunteers on their staff. These volunteers offer extra support for patients and family caregivers. It is helpful to know they have a mix of medical and support staff. Most families find comfort in knowing their loved ones have access to a full team of nurses. This structure helps them meet the specific needs of each patient. You should check if their team size fits your current care requirements.
High Quality Standards
What Is Hospice Care Like in Gardner?
Hospice care in Gardner focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The team comes to your home or a care facility. They provide medical equipment and medicine to reduce pain. The staff includes nurses who monitor symptoms daily. They also have social workers to help with emotional needs. This kind of care allows patients to spend time with their family in familiar surroundings. The goal is to keep the patient calm and pain-free. And the staff teaches family members how to provide basic care. This helps everyone feel more prepared for the future. Many people in Worcester County rely on these services to keep their loved ones at home. The team size is small but dedicated. They focus on the patient first. You can ask them how they handle emergencies after normal business hours. Clear communication is key to good hospice care.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable with the team you pick. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if there is a sudden crisis at night. Ask about the specific roles of the volunteers and how they interact with patients. It is also good to ask how they handle changes in medication or pain levels. You might want to know how often a nurse will visit your home each week. Be sure to ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific health condition. Another good question is how they support family members during the grieving process. Do not feel rushed during these talks. You deserve clear answers to every single question you have. Take notes so you can compare the answers later. This helps you make a choice that fits your needs.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life lessons and memories of your loved ones to keep their legacy alive for future generations.
Learn MoreOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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OLD COLONY HOSPICE, INC
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VISITING NURSE & COMMUNITY CARE
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