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 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) | 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 screening99.9%
- 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 completed99.9%
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, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Good Shepherd Community Care in Newton
Good Shepherd Community Care offers compassionate hospice services for families throughout Newton, Massachusetts. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for every person in their care. The team works hard to support both patients and their loved ones during a difficult time. They have been serving the community for many years from their office on Wells Avenue. It is a local resource that many neighbors trust when facing a serious illness. They aim to make the end-of-life journey as peaceful as possible. That is their main goal. Whether you need help with pain management or emotional support, they are there to help. Choosing the right hospice is a big decision for your family. Good Shepherd is a long-standing option in Middlesex County. Their presence in the area offers a sense of stability when you need it most. And that matters.
About Good Shepherd Community Care
Good Shepherd Community Care is a non-profit organization. This is a key detail for many families. Since October 1984, they have been certified by Medicare to provide hospice services. That is over four decades of history in the field. Being a non-profit often means that any extra money goes back into the care they provide. They are located at 160 Wells Avenue in Newton. You can reach them directly at (617) 969-6130 if you have questions. They have helped countless families navigate the challenges of hospice care over the years. What most people do not realize is that non-profit hospices often focus heavily on volunteer programs and grief support. This can be a huge benefit for your family. If you are exploring your options, it is helpful to know how long a provider has been in your community. Their longevity shows they have deep roots in Massachusetts.
Quality Insights
Understanding Hospice Care in Newton
Hospice is not just about the end of life. It is about how you live your final days. In a city like Newton, you have access to specialized care that focuses on the whole person. This means physical, emotional, and spiritual help for the entire family. Many families wait too long to ask for help. But hospice can start as soon as a doctor says life expectancy is six months or less. This gives you more time to get to know the care team. They can help with equipment, medications, and daily tasks. It is a team effort. You are not meant to do this alone. The goal is to keep your loved one at home whenever possible. That is where people feel most comfortable. And that is where hospice shines. It brings the care to you so you can focus on being a family instead of a caregiver.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
When you interview a hospice agency, keep things simple. You want clear, honest answers. Start by asking these questions to get a better feel for their services:
- How quickly can your team come to our home if we have an emergency at night?
- What specific support do you offer for family members who are grieving?
- How often will a nurse visit my loved one during the week?
- Can you help us manage difficult symptoms so my loved one stays comfortable?
Keep Their Story Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We help you capture those memories and preserve family history for the next generation.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
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10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
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What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
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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.