FAMILY HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 20 SHERATON DRIVE
ALTOONA, PA 16601 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 21, 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) | 99 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 4 |
| Physicians | 7 |
| Volunteers | 128 |
218
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 FAMILY HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how FAMILY HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
16.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 86th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
394
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 day16.8 min
Ranks better than about 86% 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 weekends9%
Ranks better than about 62% 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 life93.5%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 visits38.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 care10.7%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 months31.4%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 care6%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 hospice1.9%
Ranks better than about 39% 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$10,066 · 11th 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 55.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.2%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.8%
- Visits in the last days of life55.6%
- All care steps completed99%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer34%
- Dementia12%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care for Families in Altoona
Family Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care for residents in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Located at 20 Sheraton Drive, this team supports patients and their loved ones through a difficult time. They focus on comfort, dignity, and peace. Whether you are at home or in a care facility, they bring the support to you. It is all about meeting your family where you are. The staff understands that hospice is not about giving up. Instead, it is about making the most of every single day together. That is a big deal when you are facing a serious illness. They serve the Blair County area with a clear mission. You deserve support that feels like family. This team makes that their top priority every day.
About FAMILY HOSPICE
Family Hospice operates as a non-profit organization. They have held Medicare certification since December 21, 1983. That is over forty years of service to the community. Being non-profit often means the focus stays strictly on patient needs rather than profits. You want a team with deep roots in your area. They have been here for a very long time. That longevity brings a lot of experience to the table. Families should know that this provider meets strict federal standards for care. They undergo regular checks to ensure they follow all safety rules. You are looking for stability during a time of change. This provider offers that foundation. Choosing a group with such a long history can provide real peace of mind. It shows they are committed to this work for the long haul.
Exceptional Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in ALTOONA
Hospice is a special way of caring for people with life-limiting illnesses. It is not just about medicine. It is about the whole person. In Altoona, families have access to teams that include doctors, nurses, and social workers. They also have chaplains and volunteers to help with emotional needs. Many people wait too long to call for help. The thing is, hospice can start much sooner than you think. It is available for anyone with a terminal diagnosis who chooses comfort over aggressive treatment. And the best part? It is covered by Medicare for those who qualify. You do not have to walk this path alone. There are experts ready to stand by your side. They handle the hard stuff so you can focus on being a family again. That is the true value of local hospice care.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice is a heavy decision. You need to feel confident in your choice. Start by asking how quickly they can respond to a sudden crisis at night. You want to know that someone will answer the phone. Ask how they handle pain management and symptoms. It is vital to know that your loved one will stay comfortable. You should also ask how they support the family after the patient passes away. Grief support is a huge part of what they do. Finally, ask what their team looks like. Who will be coming to your home? How often will they visit? Get clear answers to these questions. It will help you see if they are a good fit for your specific needs. Trust your gut feeling when you talk with them.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one's life is full of amazing stories and memories. Now is the perfect time to record those precious moments for future generations to cherish forever.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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GRANE HOSPICE CARE INC
ASERACARE HOSPICE
COMMONWEALTH HOSPICE OF BERWICK
FAMILY HOSPICE
WAYNE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT OF HOME HEALTH
Helpful Guides for Families
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
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.
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
Confused about hospice vs palliative care? We break down the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right end-of-life care for your loved one.
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.