LOWER CAPE FEAR LIFECARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1414 PHYSICIANS DRIVE
WILMINGTON, NC 28401 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 24, 1987
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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) | 35 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 307 |
105
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 LOWER CAPE FEAR LIFECARE 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 2005.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how LOWER CAPE FEAR LIFECARE compares to hospices nationwide.
15.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 78th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
468
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 day15.3 min
Ranks better than about 78% 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 weekends7.6%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 life96.8%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 visits49.8%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 care9.6%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 months40.4%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 care3.5%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 hospice1.1%
Ranks better than about 49% 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)98th 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$11,614 · 17th 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 66.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100.0%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life66.2%
- All care steps completed99.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer29%
- Dementia19%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke12%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Wilmington
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare serves the Wilmington area from their location on Physicians Drive. This provider offers hospice services to families in New Hanover County and beyond. They hold accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, which is often called CHAP. This group reviews hospice agencies to ensure they meet high standards for care. Their team has been certified to provide hospice since 1987. That is a long history of service in North Carolina. They focus on providing support for patients and families during difficult times. Choosing a local provider can make a big difference in how quickly care starts. You deserve to know who is coming into your home to help. This agency is a non-profit organization focused on the needs of the people they serve.
About Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
As a non-profit, this agency directs its resources back into patient care. They have been Medicare certified for over three decades. The CHAP accreditation shows they go through extra steps to prove their quality. CHAP surveyors visit the agency to check their policies and clinical practices. They look at how the staff handles medications and patient safety. This matters because it shows a commitment to external oversight. The team is made up of 105 employees, including 35 registered nurses and 2 physicians. They also have 307 volunteers who give their time to help patients. Having a large volunteer group often means more companionship for those in care. It is helpful to see such a clear team structure when you are picking a provider. They have built a solid foundation over many years in this community.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Wilmington?
Hospice care in Wilmington is designed to bring comfort to your home. Most care happens where the patient lives. The team visits to manage pain and help with daily tasks. Their staff includes 35 registered nurses and 2 licensed practical nurses. These professionals work with the patient to keep them comfortable. They also have 2 physicians on the team to oversee medical plans. You will find that care is very personal. The goal is to improve the quality of each day. Volunteers also play a role by sitting with patients or helping with errands. Having this many people involved ensures that the patient is not alone. Each team member has a specific role to play in the care plan. It is a group effort to keep the patient safe and comfortable at home.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how quickly they can start care once a doctor signs off. Ask how they handle emergencies in the middle of the night. You need to know who will answer your call at 3:00 AM. Ask about the specific experience of the nurses who will visit your home. You might also ask how they support family caregivers who are tired. Do they offer any help for the family after the patient passes away? It is also good to ask how often a nurse will visit each week. Get clear answers about their staff and their availability. You have the right to ask these questions to find the best fit for your loved one. Write down the answers so you can compare them later.
Keep Your Family Stories Safe
Your memories are precious. Preserve the stories and wisdom of your loved ones to keep their legacy alive for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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HEALTHKEEPERZ ,INC
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