NORTH COUNTRY HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE AGENCY
Provider Information
- Address
- 536 COTTAGE STREET
LITTLETON, NH 03561 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 20, 1994
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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) | 33 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 9 |
| Physicians | 1 |
63
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 NORTH COUNTRY HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE AGENCY reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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 NORTH COUNTRY HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE AGENCY compares to hospices nationwide.
15 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 76th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
86
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 day15 min
Ranks better than about 76% 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 weekends7.4%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 life93.4%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 visits46.2%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 care8.5%
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 months32.2%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 care3.4%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 hospice5.1%
Ranks better than about 11% 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)74th 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$15,515 · 36th 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 70.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment98.9%
- 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 life70.2%
- All care steps completed99.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer26%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease24%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke3%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Littleton
North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency provides essential end-of-life care for families in Littleton, New Hampshire. They focus on comfort, dignity, and support during a difficult time. Their team serves the Grafton County area with a deep commitment to local patients. Choosing the right provider is a heavy task. It is nice to know that experts are working right in your own backyard. These professionals help manage pain while supporting your loved one's emotional needs. They offer a steady hand when you need it most. That is the core of their mission. Their office is easy to find on Cottage Street for those needing local resources. Getting the right care close to home makes a massive difference for everyone involved. You deserve a team that understands your community and your values. This agency is a pillar of support for the Littleton region.
About North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency
This agency operates as a non-profit organization. That is a big deal because it means their focus stays on patient needs rather than profit margins. They earned their Medicare certification back on September 20, 1994. Having served the community for decades, they bring a wealth of experience to every home visit. Many families feel better knowing their hospice provider has a long history of serving the public. Medicare certification ensures they meet strict federal standards for safety and care quality. You should feel confident that they follow proven protocols to keep your loved one comfortable. They work hard to maintain these high standards every single day. The thing is, choosing a non-profit group often leads to a more personalized touch. They are deeply tied to the local area. This connection helps them coordinate care more effectively with other community services you might use.
Understanding Hospice Care in Littleton
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing to focus on quality of life when a cure is no longer the main goal. In a place like Littleton, access to home-based care helps families stay together in their own living rooms. You get a team of nurses, social workers, and aides. They come to you. And that is so important. Many people think hospice happens in a hospital building, but most care actually occurs right at home. You can keep your routines. You can sleep in your own bed. The team visits as often as needed to manage symptoms and provide emotional support. It creates a space where your loved one can feel safe. It also gives you a break from the stress of being the primary caregiver. Relying on local experts means they know the community resources well. They can connect you with extra help if you need it.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to ask questions before you commit to a provider. Here are a few things to keep in mind. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Second, ask how they handle pain management. Every person is different, so their plan should be unique to your loved one. Third, ask about the support they provide for you as a family member. Do they offer counseling or help with daily chores? Finally, ask about their experience with your specific diagnosis. Some agencies have special training for certain illnesses. Don't be afraid to speak up. A good hospice team will be happy to answer everything. They want you to feel comfortable with your choice. Trust your gut. You know what your family needs better than anyone else does.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We provide a simple way to record these memories for future generations.
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