HELPING HANDS HOSPICE OF SOUTH CAROLINA LLC
Provider Information
- Address
- 136 SPORTHORSE LANE
AIKEN, SC 29803 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 13, 2020
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 2 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
9
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 HELPING HANDS HOSPICE OF SOUTH CAROLINA LLC 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
- 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 HELPING HANDS HOSPICE OF SOUTH CAROLINA LLC compares to hospices nationwide.
10.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 28th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
5
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only from January 2022 through December 2024. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day10.3 min
Ranks better than about 28% 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 weekends6.7%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 life90.7%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 visits46.4%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 care20%
Ranks better than about 3% 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%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 care5%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 hospice5%
Ranks better than about 11% 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$11,540 · 16th 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 7 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 5.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening96.7%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life5.6%
- 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.
- Cancer56%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Helping Hands Hospice of South Carolina LLC
Helping Hands Hospice of South Carolina LLC is a freestanding hospice provider located in Aiken, South Carolina. They have served the local community since May 2020. This provider offers end-of-life care services to patients and their families in the Aiken area. Their team works to provide comfort during difficult times. Choosing the right hospice is a major decision for any family. You need clear facts to help guide your choice. This location is a for-profit provider that focuses on hospice care. They are ready to assist you. Knowing the details helps you make a better plan for your loved one. Every family deserves to have the right support nearby. That is why we share these details about their service history and their role in the local healthcare system.
About Helping Hands Hospice of South Carolina LLC
This hospice operates as a for-profit entity in Aiken. They earned Medicare certification in May 2020. This status means they meet federal rules for patient care and safety. Families should know that Medicare certification is the baseline for all hospice providers. It ensures the facility follows standards for staff training and medical oversight. The team here consists of nine employees. This group includes two registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have a physician on staff to lead care decisions. Having a medical doctor involved is standard for high-quality hospice teams. It ensures that pain management and symptom control follow strict medical guidelines. You should always ask about how these staff members coordinate with your primary doctor. Clear communication makes a big difference for your family. This hospice meets the specific requirements to provide care under the Medicare program.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Aiken?
Hospice care in Aiken focuses on comfort and quality of life. It is not about a specific building. Instead, it is a service that comes to where you live. Most people receive this care in their own homes. The team visits you on a regular schedule. They handle medication management and help with daily needs. At Helping Hands Hospice of South Carolina, the team includes nurses and a physician. These professionals work together to address physical pain and emotional needs. A small team size can often lead to more personal care. You get to know the people visiting your home. They understand the local community and the resources available in Aiken County. Having a local team makes it easier to get help when you need it quickly. Hospice is designed to support the whole family, not just the patient. It brings peace to a stressful time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a provider is a big step. You should feel comfortable with the team that will enter your home. Start by asking how often a nurse will visit your loved one. It is also wise to ask how they handle pain management on weekends or nights. You need to know exactly who to call in an emergency. Ask the provider how they support family caregivers. Do they offer help with grief? Will they explain the medical changes you might see? Finally, ask about their experience with your specific diagnosis. Every hospice has different strengths. Getting clear answers will help you feel more prepared for the days ahead. Write these questions down before your first meeting. This keeps you focused during your conversation. You are doing a hard thing, and gathering information is a good way to stay in control of the care process.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. We can help you record these stories so they last for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
EMPYREAN HOSPICE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
ENHABIT HOSPICE
TRINITY HOSPICE OF AIKEN
GENTIVA
TRADITIONS HEALTH
HOSPICE OF CHARLESTON
Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
A federal fraud crackdown froze new hospice enrollments in 2026. Here's how to verify a hospice is legitimate, Medicare-certified, and safe to trust.
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
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.