CORNERSTONE VNA
Provider Information
- Address
- 178 FARMINGTON ROAD
ROCHESTER, NH 03867 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 13, 2011
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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) | 15 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
24
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 CORNERSTONE VNA 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how CORNERSTONE VNA compares to hospices nationwide.
12.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 48th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
62
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 day12.1 min
Ranks better than about 48% 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 weekends5%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 life89.4%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 visits48.9%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 care9.9%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 months28.6%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 care3.3%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 hospice5.5%
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)92nd 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$10,382 · 12th 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 48.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life48.3%
- All care steps completed99.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer37%
- Dementia13%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Hospice Care in Rochester
Cornerstone VNA serves families across Rochester, New Hampshire. They provide comfort-focused care for patients during their final months. This team works from their office on Farmington Road to support your loved ones. Hospice is about more than just medicine. It is about keeping people comfortable and helping them stay close to home. The team at Cornerstone VNA brings this specialized care directly to your doorstep. They have been serving the community since 2011. That is over a decade of local experience. Choosing a provider is a big decision for any family. You want a group that truly understands your needs and listens to your concerns. Cornerstone VNA is a non-profit organization. This means they put patients before profits every single time. That is a big deal when you are looking for honest, compassionate care for someone you love.
About Cornerstone VNA
Cornerstone VNA is a non-profit hospice provider based in Strafford County. They earned their Medicare certification on April 13, 2011. Being non-profit often shapes how a team operates. They focus on the mission of care rather than the bottom line. This approach builds trust with the families they serve. You can find them at 178 Farmington Road. Their team handles the complex details of end-of-life care so you can focus on being a daughter, son, or spouse. It is common to feel overwhelmed during this transition. You do not have to carry that burden alone. The experts at this agency know how to manage pain and provide emotional support. Their goal is to make every day count for the patient. If you have questions about their specific services, a quick call to (603) 332-1133 is the best way to get clear, direct answers from their staff.
High Quality Standards
Understanding Hospice Care in Rochester
Finding the right hospice in Rochester means looking at the local options carefully. You want a team that knows the area and can visit your home quickly. The thing is, hospice is not a place you go. It is a service that comes to you. It works best when you reach out early. Many families wait until the very last minute to start care. That is a mistake. Early care gives the team more time to build a bond with your loved one. It also helps manage symptoms before they become hard to handle. In Strafford County, you have access to providers like Cornerstone VNA that meet federal standards. Medicare pays for these services if you meet the requirements. It is a benefit you earned. Don't be afraid to ask how they coordinate with your local doctors. Good care is always a team effort.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered when talking to a hospice team. Here are a few questions to get the conversation started. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Second, ask how they handle pain and other tough symptoms. You want to know they have a plan. Third, ask how they support the family emotionally. Do they offer grief counseling? And finally, ask what their staff-to-patient ratio looks like. You want to be sure your loved one gets enough time and attention. Take notes during these calls. It is easy to forget details when you are stressed. Trust your gut feelings, too. If a provider makes you feel rushed or confused, keep looking. You deserve a partner who makes you feel heard, respected, and supported during this difficult season of your life.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories. Capturing their unique story can be a beautiful way to honor them. Start creating a lasting legacy that your family will cherish for many years to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
FRANKLIN VNA & HOSPICE
LAKE SUNAPEE HOME CARE & HOSPICE
BROOKHAVEN HOSPICE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE LLC
NORTH COUNTRY HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE AGENCY
HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE CARE
VISITING NURSE HOME CARE&HOSPICE OF CARROLL COUNTY
Helpful Guides for Families
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
CMS released 16,894 hospice inspection reports from late 2021 to early 2026. See what surveyors cited most, what serious findings mean, and how to use them.
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
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.