HOSPICE LIFE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 20 HOSPITAL DRIVE, 3RD FLOOR
HOLYOKE, MA 01040 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 28, 1990
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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) | 7 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 4 |
| Physicians | 1 |
18
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 HOSPICE LIFE 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE LIFE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
16.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 83rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
41
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 day16.2 min
Ranks better than about 83% 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 weekends12%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 life93.7%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 visits41.4%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 care17.2%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 months24.1%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 care6.9%
Ranks better than about 51% 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)79th 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$12,547 · 21st 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 57.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment99.1%
- 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 life57.6%
- All care steps completed98.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer42%
- Dementia9%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke12%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Life Care in Holyoke
Hospice Life Care serves families throughout Holyoke, Massachusetts. They provide medical and comfort services for people facing serious health challenges. This provider has been certified by Medicare since 1990. They hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group checks providers to make sure they follow high standards for patient safety and care quality. Getting this badge shows they work hard to meet clear national goals. Hospice Life Care operates as a non-profit organization. They focus on providing care that meets specific needs in the Hampden County area. The team includes doctors, nurses, and support staff. They are ready to help your family during a difficult time. Choosing the right team makes a difference. You want experts who know how to manage pain and help with daily comfort. This team brings years of experience to their work in the community.
About HOSPICE LIFE CARE
Hospice Life Care is a non-profit provider based at 20 Hospital Drive. They have served the community for many years. Being a non-profit means they often put extra money back into their programs. Their long history of Medicare certification is a good sign for families. It shows they have stayed current with federal rules for a long time. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care reviews them regularly. These experts look at how the agency handles medical records and staff training. They also watch how the team talks to families about care plans. High marks from these groups mean the agency is doing things the right way. You should know that quality matters here. Their team includes seven registered nurses and four licensed practical nurses. They also have a doctor on staff to oversee medical needs. This mix of staff helps ensure that patients get the right care at the right time.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in HOLYOKE?
Hospice care in Holyoke focuses on comfort and peace for the patient. It is not about curing an illness but about living well each day. The team visits patients wherever they call home. They help manage pain and other symptoms that make life hard. The staff at this office includes 18 employees who work together to support your loved ones. Having seven registered nurses and four licensed practical nurses means they have enough hands to give care when needed. A doctor works with these nurses to adjust medicine and plans as health changes. Most people feel better when they have a team they can call at any hour. The goal is to keep the patient calm and comfortable. This approach helps families spend more time on meaningful moments together. You get a team that knows the local area well and works to improve daily quality of life.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have choices when selecting a provider for your family. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can come to your home if an emergency happens. Ask how they help with medicine and medical equipment needs. You should also ask how their team stays in touch with your family doctor. It helps to know how they handle weekend or night calls. Ask about the role of the volunteers they have on staff. You might also ask how they support family members who are grieving. A good provider will answer these questions clearly and with patience. Be sure to ask about their specific experience with your loved one's condition. You want a team that feels like a good fit for your home. Take your time to get the right answers before you decide on a partner for this important care.
Keep Family Stories Alive
Your family history is a treasure. We offer a simple way to record and save precious memories for the future.
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