NIAGARA HOSPICE INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 4675 SUNSET DRIVE
LOCKPORT, NY 14094 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 31, 1988
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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) | 26 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 14 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 176 |
132
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 NIAGARA HOSPICE INC 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
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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 2012.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how NIAGARA HOSPICE INC compares to hospices nationwide.
15 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 76th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
185
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 min
Ranks better than about 76% 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 weekends13.1%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 life88.6%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 visits75.1%
Ranks better than about 19% 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 care15.4%
Ranks better than about 8% 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 months23.1%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 care8.8%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 hospice2.2%
Ranks better than about 35% 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)95th 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$14,253 · 30th 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 56.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.4%
- Pain assessment99.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.3%
- Visits in the last days of life56.7%
- All care steps completed96.6%
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%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions24%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Niagara Hospice Inc
Niagara Hospice Inc serves the Lockport region from their office on Sunset Drive. This freestanding hospice provider offers end-of-life care to families in Niagara County. They earned their Medicare certification back in August of 1988. The organization holds accreditation from CHAP, which proves they meet strict national standards for health care services. This accreditation shows that an outside group has reviewed their work to ensure it stays high quality. Families in New York can look to this organization for support during a difficult time. They focus on providing care that meets specific federal rules for hospice programs. Choosing a certified provider helps you know that the agency follows set guidelines for patient safety and comfort. This is a standard that many families look for when they need care. They bring decades of experience to the local community.
Provider Details
As a non-profit organization, Niagara Hospice Inc operates with a focus on community mission. They have been active in the area for a long time. The CHAP accreditation is a sign of their commitment to performance. This group sets high bars for how hospices should run their daily operations. They check that the agency keeps proper records and trains their staff well. This matters because it gives families peace of mind. You want to work with a team that values external review and accountability. The agency is governed by non-profit goals rather than a need to return money to investors. This structure often shifts the focus toward the daily needs of patients. They maintain a steady presence in the Lockport area. You can find them at their Sunset Drive location if you need to speak with their staff about your specific hospice care needs.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Lockport?
Hospice care in Lockport focuses on comfort for patients and their loved ones. Niagara Hospice Inc employs a large team to handle these needs. This team includes twenty-six registered nurses and fourteen licensed practical nurses. They also have two physicians on staff to oversee medical choices. Beyond the medical team, they have one hundred seventy-six volunteers ready to provide extra support. This mix of staff helps them cover many different needs throughout the day. Volunteers often provide companionship or help with small tasks around the home. The nurses handle the pain management and daily health monitoring. Having a large number of volunteers is a unique strength for this provider. It allows for more personal attention during visits. The care happens wherever the patient calls home. This could be a private house or a care facility in the area. They work to keep the person comfortable and supported at all times.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right team is a big step for your family. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions to the agency staff. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You should also ask how they handle pain and other symptoms at night or on the weekend. Ask them to explain how their volunteers help families during the week. It is also good to ask how they communicate changes in a patient's health to the family. You might want to know if they have experience with specific illnesses that affect your loved one. Make sure you understand the full list of services they provide. Do not feel rushed when you talk to them. You are allowed to take your time to find the right fit for your family. Good providers will be happy to answer every question you have.
Preserve Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories and wisdom. We offer tools to help you record and save these stories for future generations.
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