HOSPICE OF THE CAROLINA FOOTHILLS
Provider Information
- Address
- 1074 OZONE DRIVE
SALUDA, NC 28773 - Ownership Type
- For-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 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) | 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, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care in Saluda
Hospice of the Carolina Foothills serves families in Saluda, North Carolina, from their home base on Ozone Drive. They provide essential end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity for patients in Polk County. This team works to manage pain while supporting the emotional well-being of the entire family unit. The goal is simple: helping your loved one live as fully as possible during their final months. They have been a part of the local healthcare landscape since 1988, which shows a deep commitment to the region. It is a relief to have such long-standing care nearby when you need it most. Choosing the right path is hard, but knowing the basics can help you feel more confident in your decisions. This provider offers a steady hand during a very difficult time for your family.
About HOSPICE OF THE CAROLINA FOOTHILLS
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They first earned their Medicare certification on February 29, 1988. That is over three decades of service to the community. When you look at for-profit providers, you might wonder how it changes the care. The truth is that all Medicare-certified hospices must follow the same strict federal quality rules. This ensures that every patient gets the same core services regardless of the business model. You should feel comfortable asking about their specific team and how they handle after-hours emergencies. Most families appreciate knowing who will show up at their door at 2:00 AM. And that is exactly what you should expect from a professional team. The thing is, choosing a provider is about finding the right fit for your specific needs. Do not be afraid to ask direct questions about their staff and how they handle unique patient requests.
Understanding Hospice Care in SALUDA
Finding the right care in a small town like Saluda often feels personal. You want a team that knows the community and understands your values. Hospice is not just about the final days. It is about improving the quality of life right now. Most people do not realize that hospice care can happen wherever you call home. Whether that is a private house or an assisted living facility, the team comes to you. That is a huge benefit. It keeps your loved one in a familiar space surrounded by their own things. And it allows you to focus on being a family member rather than a nurse. The team usually includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and volunteers. They all work together to build a plan that fits your specific situation. That is how they make the hard days a little bit easier to manage.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to interview any hospice provider before you sign up. It is your life and your family. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a crisis happens. Response time is everything. Then, ask about their volunteer program and how those volunteers help families. Some offer respite care, while others simply provide a listening ear. That can be a lifesaver for a tired caregiver. Finally, ask what specific services they provide for grief and loss after the patient passes. Good hospices do not just leave when the work is done. They stay to help you process the change. Keep these questions in your pocket during your first meeting. Taking notes can help you compare your options later on. You deserve clear answers during this time. Do not settle until you feel at peace with your choice.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories to share. Capture their voice, their values, and their favorite stories to keep for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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