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
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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) | 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. 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 screening96.2%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life5.6%
- All care steps completed96.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer56%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Helping Hands Hospice of South Carolina LLC
Helping Hands Hospice of South Carolina LLC serves families in Aiken and the surrounding areas. This freestanding hospice provider offers care to those with life-limiting illnesses. They focus on comfort and support for patients and their loved ones. The team works to manage symptoms so patients can spend time at home. Getting the right care at the right time matters. This provider has been certified by Medicare since May 2020. They bring specialized care to the local community in Aiken County. Local care makes a difference. Families can find them at 136 Sporthorse Lane. They are ready to assist you when you need them most.
About Helping Hands Hospice of South Carolina LLC
This hospice operates as a for-profit organization. It gained Medicare certification in May 2020. This certification means they meet federal rules for quality and safety. You should know that for-profit hospices must follow the same rules as non-profit ones. They all report data to the government on how they treat patients. This transparency helps you see how they perform compared to others. The agency maintains a small team of nine total employees. This includes two registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have a physician on the team. Small teams often offer a more personal touch. You deserve clear answers about who will care for your family member. Their history shows a commitment to these standards since they opened their doors for business in Aiken.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Aiken?
Hospice care in Aiken focuses on comfort and dignity for the patient. It brings a team of experts directly to the home. This team usually includes nurses, a doctor, and aides. Helping Hands Hospice of South Carolina LLC uses a team of nine people to provide this support. They have two registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse on staff. A physician is also part of their team. These professionals work together to manage pain and other symptoms. They also provide emotional support for the entire family. It is a team effort. You will find that hospice care aims to improve the quality of every day. The goal is to keep the patient in their own bed. It is a quiet way to find peace.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you pick a hospice agency. Start by asking how quickly they can start care after a referral. Speed matters when a patient is in pain. Ask how they handle emergencies after normal business hours or on weekends. You need to know that a nurse is always available to help. Ask about their experience with the specific illness your loved one faces. It is okay to ask for details. You might also ask how they support family caregivers who are tired. A good hospice team will offer respite care to give you a break. Do not be afraid to ask these questions. You are the advocate for your family member. Their comfort is the primary goal for everyone involved in this plan.
Keep Your Memories Safe
Your family history is a treasure. We provide tools to help you record and save stories for the future generations.
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