GOOD SHEPHERD COMMUNITY CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 160 WELLS AVENUE
NEWTON, MA 02459 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 1, 1984
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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 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) | 54 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 2 |
159
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 GOOD SHEPHERD COMMUNITY 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how GOOD SHEPHERD COMMUNITY CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 62nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
249
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 day13.4 min
Ranks better than about 62% 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 weekends12.9%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 life98%
Ranks better than about 86% 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 visits48.7%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 care8.4%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 months36.3%
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 care6.1%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 hospice5.6%
Ranks better than about 9% 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)83rd 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$16,594 · 42nd 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 83.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life83.7%
- All care steps completed99.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer30%
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Good Shepherd Community Care in Newton
Good Shepherd Community Care serves the Newton area from their location on Wells Avenue. This non-profit hospice provider has offered end-of-life care since 1984. They support patients and families across Middlesex County through medical, emotional, and spiritual services. Hospice care focuses on comfort when a cure is no longer the main goal. It helps patients live their final months with as much peace as possible. Families often find that having a dedicated team makes a difficult time more manageable. This provider brings decades of experience to the local community. They provide care in homes and other settings where patients live. The team works to manage pain and symptoms while supporting the entire family unit. Their long history shows a deep commitment to the region. Many people in Massachusetts rely on their services for end-of-life support. They remain a staple in the local healthcare network today.
About Good Shepherd Community Care
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status means that any money left over goes back into the care and services they provide. They earned their Medicare certification in 1984. That is a long track record. Being Medicare certified means they meet strict federal standards for safety and service quality. Families should know that this oversight happens regularly. It ensures that staff training and patient care meet specific rules. The organization maintains a large staff of 159 employees to handle patient needs. This includes 54 registered nurses and 5 licensed practical nurses who provide direct medical care. They also have 2 physicians on staff to oversee medical plans. A small team of 2 volunteers also contributes to their mission. You can check their official standing on government websites to see how they compare to others. Choosing a provider with this much history can offer peace of mind for many families.
What Is Hospice Care Like in Newton?
Hospice care in Newton brings medical experts directly to your door. The goal is to keep patients in their own homes whenever possible. A team approach is standard practice here. The staff includes many nurses, doctors, and volunteers who work together. They visit patients to check on symptoms like pain or trouble breathing. But they do more than just medical work. They also offer social support for the family during the final stages of life. The team size here is large, with over 150 total employees dedicated to their patients. Having so many registered nurses on staff means they can respond to changes in a patient's health quite quickly. You will have a primary nurse who coordinates the daily care plan. This person acts as your main point of contact for questions. They help you understand what changes to expect as time goes on. It is about keeping the patient comfortable and safe.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. This is a big deal for peace of mind. Ask what happens if you need help in the middle of the night or on a weekend. Good providers have staff available at all hours. You should also ask how they handle pain management and if they use specific comfort protocols. Find out how many patients each nurse usually sees in a single day. This helps you understand if the staff will have enough time for your loved one. Ask if they provide grief support for the family after the patient passes away. These services are a standard part of hospice care. Write these questions down before you meet with the team. Taking notes will help you compare your options later on. Clear answers are a sign of a professional and transparent provider.
Other Hospice Providers Nearby
ALLIANCE HOSPICE CARE LLC
FIRST CHOICE HEALTHCARE INC
BRIGHTON HOSPICE MASSACHUSETTS, LLC
BROCKTON VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION
OLD COLONY HOSPICE, INC
HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD
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