CENTER FOR HOPE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1900 RARITAN ROAD
SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ 07076 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 27, 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) | 25 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 9 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 2 |
80
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 CENTER FOR HOPE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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 CENTER FOR HOPE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
10.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 31st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
95
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 day10.6 min
Ranks better than about 31% 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 weekends10.5%
Ranks better than about 73% 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 life99.2%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 visits82%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 care14.6%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 months27%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 hospice3.9%
Ranks better than about 17% 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$9,979 · 10th 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 66.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening94.8%
- Pain assessment99.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.4%
- Beliefs and values discussed91.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids96.2%
- Visits in the last days of life66.8%
- All care steps completed85.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer39%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease5%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Center for Hope Hospice and Palliative Care
Center for Hope Hospice and Palliative Care serves families in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. This hospice offers end of life support and comfort services. They have been certified by Medicare since 1984. This longevity shows they have a long history of helping the community with medical and emotional needs.
As a non-profit organization, their focus remains on patient care. Being a freestanding hospice means they operate independently to serve local needs directly. Families should know this provider has a strong track record of quality care. They have earned high marks for their clinical performance from federal agencies. This is a solid sign of their commitment to patients. Choosing a hospice that has served the area for decades provides peace of mind during a hard time.
About Center for Hope Hospice and Palliative Care
This provider operates as a non-profit, which often means they put any extra funds back into patient services. Their certification with Medicare started in early 1984. This means they have followed federal quality rules for many years. That is a long time in healthcare.
Medicare certification requires providers to meet strict standards for safety and care quality. These rules cover everything from how they handle medicine to how they train staff. Because they are a freestanding facility, their team works together in one dedicated space. This setup often allows for better communication between doctors and nurses. Families looking for care should look for these signs of stability. A provider with this much history knows how to manage complex patient needs well. You can feel confident in their ability to handle the challenges of end of life care.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Scotch Plains?
Hospice care in this part of Union County focuses on comfort and dignity. The team at this location includes 80 employees who work to meet the needs of every patient. This group includes 25 registered nurses and 9 licensed practical nurses. They also have 2 doctors on staff to guide medical decisions. That is a solid clinical team.
A unique part of their program is the use of 2 volunteers who provide extra support. These volunteers often help with small tasks that make a big difference for families. The goal is to keep patients comfortable at home or in the facility. Nurses visit regularly to check on symptoms and pain levels. The doctors work with the nurses to change care plans as needs shift. This team approach helps ensure every patient gets the right level of attention each day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right care team feels like a heavy task. But asking the right questions helps clear the fog. Start by asking how the staff manages pain during the night or on weekends. You need to know that help is there when you need it most. Ask how often a nurse will visit your home.
Also, ask what volunteers can do to help your family. Some volunteers offer companionship, while others help with light errands. Be sure to ask how they support family members who are grieving. A good hospice program cares for the whole family, not just the patient. Ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific medical condition. This helps you understand if they are the best fit for your situation. Take notes on the answers you get to help you compare your options later.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that should be kept safe for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
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Helpful Guides for Families
How to Start the Hospice Conversation: A Practical Guide
Struggling to talk about end-of-life care? Learn how to start the hospice conversation with your aging parents using these compassionate, expert-backed tips.
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
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Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
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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.