COMMUNITY HOSPICE, INC, THE
Provider Information
- Address
- 445 NEW KARNER ROAD
ALBANY, NY 12205 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 1, 1983
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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) | 140 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 27 |
| Physicians | 5 |
| Volunteers | 622 |
385
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 COMMUNITY HOSPICE, INC, THE 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 2010.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how COMMUNITY HOSPICE, INC, THE compares to hospices nationwide.
27.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 99th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
581
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 day27.2 min
Ranks better than about 99% 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 weekends12%
Ranks better than about 80% 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%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 visits40.4%
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 care6.1%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 months35%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 care1.1%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 hospice2.3%
Ranks better than about 33% 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)79th 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$10,433 · 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 54.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.8%
- Pain assessment99.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.9%
- Visits in the last days of life54.3%
- All care steps completed99.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer33%
- Dementia22%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke4%
- 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 Care in Albany
The Community Hospice, Inc, The provides essential end-of-life care for families in Albany, New York. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients facing a serious illness. The team works hard to manage pain and provide emotional support at their home office on New Karner Road. This helps patients remain in a familiar environment surrounded by loved ones. They are a well-known resource for local families during difficult times. Choosing the right hospice is a personal decision that impacts your daily life. It is helpful to know that they have served the community for many years. Their mission centers on honoring the wishes of the patient while supporting the needs of the whole family. If you live in the Albany area, they offer a local option that understands your specific needs and community values. They truly aim to make every day count for those in their care.
About COMMUNITY HOSPICE, INC, THE
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. That is a big deal because it means their focus stays on patient needs rather than profits. They have been Medicare certified since November 1, 1983. That long history shows they have deep experience in the hospice field. Most people do not realize how much that consistency matters when you are searching for care. Being certified for over 40 years means they have met strict federal standards for a long time. Families should know that non-profit status often allows providers to use any extra funds to improve patient services or community programs. They are committed to the long-term well-being of the people they serve in Albany County. When you look at their history, you see a legacy of trust. It is not just about medical care; it is about being a steady hand when things feel uncertain. They have built a reputation by being there for families year after year.
High Quality Standards
Understanding Hospice Care in ALBANY
Finding the right care in Albany means looking at how a team fits into your family life. Hospice is not just a place to go; it is a service that comes to your home. In this part of New York, families have several options, but not all providers offer the same level of care. The goal is to provide comfort, peace, and support for the entire family unit. The thing is, hospice is most effective when families start the conversation early. You do not have to wait until the very end to ask for help. Many providers here work closely with local doctors and hospitals to ensure a smooth transition. That said, you are the one in charge of your care plan. Always feel empowered to ask how they will handle emergencies or late-night calls. Getting the right support early on makes a huge difference in the quality of time you have left together as a family.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice is a big step. You should feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Start by asking how quickly they can respond when a family has an urgent need in the middle of the night. It is also wise to ask how they help with pain and other symptoms. You want a team that listens to your specific concerns. Ask them how they support family members who are grieving, too. Do they offer counseling or support groups? A good provider will be open and honest about their services. They should never make you feel rushed or pressured to sign papers. Take your time to talk with them about your goals for care. The right hospice will work with you to make sure your loved one feels safe, comfortable, and heard. That is the most important part of this entire journey.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations. Capture their voice, their history, and their wisdom today.
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