HOSPICE OF THE CAROLINA FOOTHILLS
Provider Information
- Address
- 1074 OZONE DRIVE
SALUDA, NC 28773 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 29, 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 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) | 31 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Volunteers | 2 |
70
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 HOSPICE OF THE CAROLINA FOOTHILLS reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 2004.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF THE CAROLINA FOOTHILLS compares to hospices nationwide.
15.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 79th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
164
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 day15.4 min
Ranks better than about 79% 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 weekends8.5%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 life97%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 visits29.6%
Ranks better than about 79% 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%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 months38.9%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 care10.1%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 hospice0.7%
Ranks better than about 53% 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$13,954 · 28th 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 71.5% 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 discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life71.5%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke10%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Saluda
Hospice of the Carolina Foothills serves the Saluda, North Carolina area. This non-profit provider offers end-of-life care for families in Polk County. They hold accreditation from CHAP. This means an outside group checked their work to ensure they meet high standards. They have served the community since 1988. This long history shows they are a stable partner for your family. Hospice care is about comfort when a cure is no longer the goal. It focuses on physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Choosing a local provider often makes it easier for the care team to reach your home. You want a team that knows the area well. This provider is ready to help your loved ones today.
About Hospice of the Carolina Foothills
This organization operates as a non-profit. That is a key difference because their focus stays on patient needs rather than profit. They earned their Medicare certification back in 1988. That is over three decades of service to this region. They also maintain CHAP accreditation. CHAP stands for Community Health Accreditation Partner. They are a national group that sets rules for how hospice care should look. When a hospice earns this badge, it means they met strict rules for safety and quality. It gives families more peace of mind. You should know that they employ 70 people to handle these duties. This includes 31 registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. They also rely on two volunteers to support their work. Having a full team available helps them manage care plans effectively. This team structure supports the quality care they are known for in the local area.
High Quality Standards
What Is Hospice Care Like in Saluda?
Hospice care in Saluda happens where you live. For most people, this means their own home. The team comes to you. They bring medicine, supplies, and medical equipment as needed. A nurse will visit to check on symptoms like pain or trouble breathing. Social workers are also part of the group. They help with the stress of this time. You can expect a team that includes 31 registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. This staff size ensures someone is ready to answer your call. Volunteers also provide extra support for families. They might sit with a patient so a caregiver can take a short break. It is a team effort. Every person plays a specific role in keeping your loved one comfortable. They work together to make the home environment peaceful. That is the main goal of hospice care.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have choices when selecting a hospice team. It helps to ask clear questions before you decide. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You need to know that help is available at night or on weekends. Second, ask how they handle pain management. You want a team that responds fast to new symptoms. Third, ask how they support family caregivers. This is a hard time for everyone involved. You should know what training or respite care they offer for you. Finally, ask about their experience with your specific diagnosis. Some teams have special skills for certain conditions. Take your time with these questions. A good hospice team will listen and give you honest answers. They want you to feel confident in the care they provide for your family member.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
The time you spend with loved ones is precious. Recording their life stories helps keep their memory bright for future generations to enjoy.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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ANCORA COMPASSIONATE CARE
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Helpful Guides for Families
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.
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
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.
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.