WEST RIVER HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 63 KENDRICK STREET
NEEDHAM, MA 02494 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 29, 2017
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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) | 3 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
9
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 WEST RIVER 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how WEST RIVER HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
7.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 7th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
43
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 day7.5 min
Ranks better than about 7% 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 weekends2.8%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 life74.5%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 visits84.8%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 care10%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 months36%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 care10%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 hospice4%
Ranks better than about 16% 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$18,786 · 55th 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 29.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening86.2%
- Pain assessment92%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.3%
- Breathing difficulty treatment84.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed97.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed82.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life29.6%
- All care steps completed64.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer21%
- Dementia41%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
West River Hospice Overview
West River Hospice provides end-of-life care services for patients in Needham, Massachusetts. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for those facing life-limiting illnesses. Their team serves families throughout Norfolk County from their office at 63 Kendrick Street. Choosing the right care team is a heavy task. But having a local partner can make a real difference during difficult days. They bring medical support and emotional care directly to where you live. This helps keep loved ones in a familiar setting. It is about making every moment count. And that is what matters most when time is short.
About West River Hospice
West River Hospice is a for-profit provider that has served the community since August 2017. Being Medicare certified means they meet federal standards for hospice care. That is a big deal for families looking for reliable support. You might wonder what for-profit status means for your care. It simply describes how the organization is set up. The core mission remains the same: helping patients stay comfortable and pain-free. They follow strict rules set by Medicare to ensure safety and quality. Families should know that every hospice must provide specific services like nursing, social work, and chaplain support. West River Hospice follows these national guidelines. They aim to provide consistent care for every person they serve. It is helpful to ask them how their specific team approaches these daily needs.
Quality of Care Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in Needham
Hospice care is not just about medical equipment or medicine. It is about a team approach to the final months of life. In Needham and across Norfolk County, families have several choices for hospice support. The thing is, all hospices must offer the same basic level of care under Medicare rules. But each agency has its own personality and way of working. Some are part of large hospital systems. Others are smaller, local groups. You should look for a team that listens well and acts fast. Good communication is the heartbeat of great hospice care. And you deserve a team that feels like a partner. Don't be afraid to ask how they handle after-hours calls. That is when families often feel the most alone. Knowing help is just a phone call away brings real peace of mind.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right fit takes time. Start by asking questions that matter to your specific situation. Here are a few things to bring up during your first meeting:
- How fast can a nurse get to my home if we have an emergency at night?
- How do you help us manage pain and other symptoms at home?
- What specific training does your volunteer and support staff have?
- How often will a nurse visit my loved one each week?
The answers will tell you a lot about their culture. Do they sound rushed or patient? Do they explain things in a way you understand? Trust your gut feeling. You want a team that treats your family member like a person, not a chart. That is the gold standard of care. Keep these questions written down. It is easy to forget them when you are feeling stressed or tired.
Preserve Your Family's Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories. We provide tools to help you capture these precious stories before they fade. It is a beautiful way to honor their life and keep their legacy alive for future generations.
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Some stories are worth writing down
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