LAKES REGION VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION
Provider Information
- Address
- 186 WAUKEWAN ST
MEREDITH, NH 03253 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 3, 2018
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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) | 3 |
| Physicians | 1 |
11
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 LAKES REGION VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how LAKES REGION VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION compares to hospices nationwide.
15.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 79th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
30
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 day15.4 min
Ranks better than about 79% 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 weekends11.8%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 life96.1%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 visits40.5%
Ranks better than about 66% 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 care3.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 months34.6%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 care9.6%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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)67th 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$11,382 · 16th 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 77% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.9%
- Pain assessment98.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.5%
- Breathing difficulty treatment88.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed97.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids92.8%
- Visits in the last days of life77%
- All care steps completed89.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer21%
- Dementia9%
- Heart and circulatory disease9%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Stroke12%
- Other conditions38%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Meredith
Lakes Region Visiting Nurse Association provides hospice care for families in the Meredith, New Hampshire area. This agency operates as a non-profit organization focused on end-of-life care. They have been certified by Medicare since 2018 to serve the community. Choosing a hospice provider is a significant decision. You deserve clear facts about who will be caring for your loved one. This agency offers professional support right in Belknap County. They aim to serve the local area with a focus on patient needs. You can reach them at 603-279-6611 to discuss your specific situation. Many families find that local providers offer a level of familiarity that is very helpful during difficult times. Reach out to them to learn more about their current capacity and how they handle admissions for new patients today.
About LAKES REGION VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION
This provider operates as a non-profit home health agency. Being non-profit means they often reinvest their resources directly back into their programs. They earned their Medicare certification in May of 2018. This certification is important. It shows they follow federal rules for safety and care quality. The agency maintains a small team of 11 employees. This includes 3 registered nurses and 1 physician. A small team can sometimes mean you get more personal attention from the staff. That is a benefit for many families. They have maintained a strong reputation for high quality of care. Their score on the Hospice Care Index is perfect. This metric looks at how well a provider meets clinical standards. You should feel confident asking them how these specific clinical standards translate to the daily routine for your family member. They are prepared to discuss their approach with you.
Quality of Care Summary
What Is Hospice Care Like in MEREDITH?
Hospice care in Meredith focuses on comfort and dignity for the patient. The team visits the patient wherever they call home. This could be a private house or a local care facility. The staff manages pain and other symptoms to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. The team here includes 3 registered nurses and a physician. These medical professionals coordinate with your own doctors. They also provide emotional support for the entire family. It is not just about the medicine. It is about the quality of life each day. You will work with a team that knows the local community well. They understand how to coordinate local resources to help you. Ask them how they handle weekend or after-hours needs. Knowing their plan for emergencies can give you peace of mind. They are ready to answer your questions about their care process.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right partner for hospice care takes time. You should prepare a few questions before you call. First, ask how quickly they can start services after a referral. Speed matters when a patient is in pain. Second, ask how the nurse and doctor communicate with your family. You need to know who to call at 2 a.m. if a problem arises. Third, ask about their experience with the specific condition your loved one has. Some providers have more training in certain areas. Fourth, ask about their volunteer program. Volunteers can offer extra companionship that nurses cannot provide. Finally, ask what happens if your needs change suddenly. A good provider will have a clear plan for moving to a higher level of care if it becomes necessary. Keep these questions written down. It helps to have them ready during your call.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Every life has a unique story worth saving for the future. Capture your loved one's memories and wisdom today.
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