TUFTS MEDICINE CARE AT HOME
Provider Information
- Address
- 847 ROGERS STREET, SUITE 201
LOWELL, MA 01852 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 25, 1985
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) | 60 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 7 |
| Physicians | 10 |
113
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 TUFTS MEDICINE CARE AT HOME 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
- 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 TUFTS MEDICINE CARE AT HOME compares to hospices nationwide.
14.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 72nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
202
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 day14.5 min
Ranks better than about 72% 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 weekends13.3%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 life95.1%
Ranks better than about 62% 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 visits50.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 care12.3%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 months22.3%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 care7.3%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 hospice1.9%
Ranks better than about 39% 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)97th 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$9,738 · 10th 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 53.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.8%
- Pain assessment99.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life53.6%
- All care steps completed99.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer30%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Tufts Medicine Care at Home
Tufts Medicine Care at Home serves the Lowell area from their office on Rogers Street. This freestanding hospice provider offers end-of-life care for families in Essex County. They have been certified by Medicare for nearly four decades. This longevity shows their commitment to local hospice services. Their team includes 60 registered nurses and 10 physicians who work to support patients. That is a large staff for a single location. They focus on providing care where people live. Choosing a hospice provider is a major step. Families deserve to know the facts about their local options before making a final decision.
About Tufts Medicine Care at Home
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status often means any extra money goes back into patient services. They earned their Medicare certification back in 1985. This means they have a long history of meeting federal standards. Medicare certification requires regular checks on how they provide care. It keeps providers on their toes. Families should look at these history markers when picking a team. They employ 113 people in total. This group includes licensed practical nurses and many registered nurses. Having a large team can help ensure someone is always there to answer questions. They aim to keep patients comfortable and safe. You should feel free to ask them about their specific experience in your neighborhood. Their long history of service gives you a clear picture of their role in the community.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Lowell?
Hospice care in Lowell focuses on comfort and pain relief rather than a cure. It happens in the home, a nursing facility, or a hospital. The team visits you wherever you live. They bring medical help and emotional support to the bedside. This team usually includes nurses, doctors, and social workers. Tufts Medicine Care at Home has 60 nurses on staff to handle these needs. That is a very high number of nurses for one group. These professionals manage medicine and symptoms to keep patients at ease. They also help family members understand what to expect. Care happens 24 hours a day if the need arises. You do not have to manage these hard moments by yourself. The goal is always to improve the quality of every single day for the patient.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should talk to a few providers before you sign any paperwork. Ask them how quickly they can send a nurse to your home in an emergency. Find out how they handle pain management during the night or on weekends. It is good to know who will be the main contact person for your family. Ask how they keep the family updated on the health of their loved one. You might also ask if they have experience with your specific health needs. Make sure you understand how the insurance coverage works for the care they offer. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity on any part of the plan. A good provider will answer these questions with patience and care. They should make you feel heard and respected during this time.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that should be passed down to future generations. Capture these memories now while you have the chance.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
GENTIVA
OLD COLONY HOSPICE, INC
VNA & HOSPICE OF GREATER MILFORD
COMPASSUS - GREATER WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
COMPASSIONATE CARE HOSPICE OF SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS LLC
HOSPICE SERVICES OF MASSACHUSETTS
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
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.
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
Confused about medicare hospice coverage? Discover exactly what is covered, how to manage costs, and navigate your benefits with our simple, expert guide.
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.