CARING HOSPICE SERVICES
Provider Information
- Address
- 101 GOOD DRIVE, 1ST FLOOR
LANCASTER, PA 17603 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 4, 2011
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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) | 6 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 16 |
30
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 CARING HOSPICE SERVICES reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how CARING HOSPICE SERVICES compares to hospices nationwide.
11.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 42nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
70
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 day11.6 min
Ranks better than about 42% 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 weekends4.3%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 life89.3%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 visits56.1%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 care11.1%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 months30.6%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 care2.8%
Ranks better than about 74% 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%
Ranks better than about 55% 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)52nd 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$16,669 · 42nd 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 59.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment96%
- Breathing difficulty screening99%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.7%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.3%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life59.9%
- All care steps completed96.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer13%
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease4%
- Stroke20%
- Other conditions25%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Caring Hospice Services in Lancaster
Caring Hospice Services offers end-of-life care for families in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They serve the local community from their office on Good Drive. This team focuses on comfort and support when life gets hard. They offer medical care and emotional help for those facing a terminal illness. Their goal is to make every day count for the patient. Dealing with a serious illness is tough. You need a team that acts like family. Caring Hospice Services works to provide that peace of mind for your loved ones. They are a local resource for anyone in the 17603 area needing extra support. The team is ready to help you navigate this path with care and respect. It is a big decision, but you do not have to walk it alone.
About Caring Hospice Services
This provider has been Medicare certified since March 2011. That is over a decade of experience helping people in Lancaster County. They operate as a for-profit hospice agency. Some families prefer to know how a hospice is run before they sign up. That is a smart move. Their office is located on the first floor of 101 Good Drive. You can reach them at (717) 560-1700 if you have questions about their specific care plans. They have helped many families in the area over the last thirteen years. When you call, ask them about their team size and how they handle after-hours needs. Every agency has its own way of doing things. It helps to talk to them directly to see if their style fits your family's needs. You want a partner who listens well.
Quality Performance Snapshot
Understanding Hospice Care in Lancaster
Lancaster County has several options for hospice care. Finding the right fit takes time. Most hospice care happens in your own home. That is where people feel most comfortable. But some agencies also work with local nursing homes or hospitals. The thing is, hospice is not just about medicine. It is about the whole person. They provide nurses, social workers, and volunteers who visit you. This is a special type of care meant for the final months of life. Most families find that hospice brings a sense of relief to a very heavy situation. You get a team that is trained to manage pain and stress. They handle the hard stuff so you can focus on being a daughter, son, or spouse. It changes the focus from curing to caring. That shift matters a lot when time is short.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice agency is a big deal. You should feel good about your choice. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your house in an emergency. That is a must. Ask how they help with pain and other symptoms. You also want to know who will be on your primary team. Will you see the same nurse every week? Consistency helps build trust. Finally, ask what kind of support they offer to family members after a loss. Grief is hard. A good hospice team stays by your side even after the patient passes. Here is the thing: do not be afraid to ask tough questions. You are the advocate for your loved one. A good agency will be happy to answer every single one of your questions without rushing you.
Preserve Your Family's Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. We can help you record their voice and stories so they last forever for your children and grandchildren.
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