ASCEND HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 65 JACKSON DR, STE 103
CRANFORD, NJ 07016 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 21, 1995
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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) | 28 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
115
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 ASCEND HOSPICE 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 ASCEND HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 46th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
286
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 day11.9 min
Ranks better than about 46% 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 weekends5.8%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 life82.3%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 visits77.6%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 care10.1%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 months47.6%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 care11.5%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 hospice2.4%
Ranks better than about 32% 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)52nd 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$22,531 · 72nd 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 56.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.2%
- Visits in the last days of life56.4%
- All care steps completed99%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer15%
- Dementia59%
- Heart and circulatory disease5%
- Lung and respiratory disease4%
- Stroke3%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Ascend Hospice in Cranford
Ascend Hospice operates as a freestanding hospice provider in Cranford, New Jersey. They have served the Union County area since 1995. The organization holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group reviews hospice agencies to ensure they follow strict safety and care rules. It acts as a stamp of approval for the standard of service provided to patients. Families looking for care in this part of New Jersey will find this agency is a long-standing option. They focus on providing support for those with life-limiting illnesses. The team works within the local community to bring comfort to homes and facilities. Because they have been certified for nearly thirty years, they bring a deep history of experience to the families they serve. This long track record helps show their commitment to the region.
About ASCEND HOSPICE
This is a for-profit hospice provider. They maintain a staff of 115 people to support their operations. This team includes 28 registered nurses and 5 licensed practical nurses who provide clinical oversight. Two physicians also work with the agency to guide medical care plans. The accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care confirms they meet specific industry benchmarks. This is a big deal for families. It means an outside group checked their work. They found that the agency follows established protocols for patient safety and medical records. While the agency has strong marks for their actual quality of care, their patient survey results are lower. Families should look at both sides of these ratings. Understanding how a team handles clinical tasks versus how they communicate with families is a good step. Each family needs to weigh these different factors before making a final choice for their loved one.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in CRANFORD?
Hospice care in this area focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms rather than seeking a cure. In Cranford, families can expect a team-based approach to this work. The staff at Ascend Hospice consists of many nurses who handle daily medical needs. They also have two doctors who oversee the medical side of care. Because they do not use volunteers, the professional staff handles all visits and support tasks. This model creates a clear line of communication between the agency and the family. Most care happens where the patient lives. It allows the person to remain in a familiar space while receiving support. The nurses visit regularly to check on the patient and adjust medications. Their presence helps keep the family informed about what to expect during the final stages of life. It creates a stable environment for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right partner for hospice care is a big decision. You should ask clear questions to understand how they work. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to the home if an emergency happens at night. Second, find out exactly how they handle pain management and symptom control. Ask them to explain their process for updating family members on changes in the patient's condition. You should also ask about the specific support they provide to the family after a loss occurs. It is helpful to know who will be the main contact person for your family. Do not be afraid to ask for these details in writing. You deserve to know how the team will show up for your loved one. Clear answers help build confidence in the care plan. Take your time to get the information you need for your situation.
Preserve Family Memories
Your family history is a treasure. We offer simple tools to help you record stories and keep them safe for future generations to enjoy.
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