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 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) | 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 screening99.4%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100.0%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.9%
- Visits in the last days of life55.6%
- All care steps completed99.2%
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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Family Hospice in Altoona
Family Hospice provides end of life care for patients in Altoona and the surrounding Blair County area. This provider offers services to support patients and their families at home or in other care settings. They have been certified by Medicare since late 1983. That is over four decades of service to the local community. Their team works to manage pain and provide comfort for those facing a life limiting illness. They focus on meeting the physical and emotional needs of every person they serve. Whether you need help with daily tasks or complex medical support, their staff is prepared to assist. Choosing a hospice provider is a big step for any family. You want a team that works well together to keep your loved one comfortable and peaceful every day.
About Family Hospice
Family Hospice operates as a non profit organization. This means they put their resources back into patient care rather than focusing on profits. They have held Medicare certification for a long time. Medicare certification confirms that a provider meets federal rules for safety and care quality. Most families look for this status as a baseline for quality. A non profit status can indicate a specific mission driven approach to care. This provider is a freestanding hospice. That means they are not part of a larger hospital system. They focus entirely on the hospice model of care. They have a large team ready to help. This includes 99 registered nurses and 7 doctors. They also have 128 volunteers who give their time to help patients. Having many hands to help is a great benefit for families during a difficult time.
Quality Summary
What Is Hospice Care Like in ALTOONA?
Hospice care in Altoona centers on a team approach. The goal is to improve the quality of life for the patient. A team includes doctors, nurses, and volunteers working together. This group of 218 employees provides support around the clock. Your team will visit your home to help manage symptoms. They also offer support to family members who are acting as caregivers. Having a large team like this makes a difference. It ensures that someone is always ready to answer your questions. You will find that hospice care is about more than just medicine. It is about supporting the whole person. The staff works to ensure the patient is comfortable and at peace. They also help family members handle the stress that comes with end of life care. It is a shared effort to make each day count.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you pick a hospice team. Start by asking how quickly they can respond to a sudden health crisis. You need to know if a nurse is available at night or on the weekend. Ask how the team will help with pain and other symptoms. You should also ask how they support family caregivers who are tired or overwhelmed. Do they have volunteers who can sit with your loved one? Ask about their experience with your specific diagnosis. You have the right to ask these questions. A good provider will be happy to answer them clearly. They want you to feel comfortable with your choice. Take your time to get the answers you need to make the right decision for your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We help you record their memories to keep them safe for future generations.
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