LOWER CAPE FEAR LIFECARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 350 HILTON RD SUITE 301
MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29572 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 23, 1987
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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) | 5 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
11
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 LOWER CAPE FEAR LIFECARE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- Type of inpatient care
- General inpatient care (for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed elsewhere)
- 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 LOWER CAPE FEAR LIFECARE compares to hospices nationwide.
18.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 91st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
48
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 day18.3 min
Ranks better than about 91% 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 life97.4%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 visits40%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 care4.8%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 months28.6%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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)83rd 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$12,093 · 19th 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 79.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment98.4%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life79.7%
- All care steps completed99.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer27%
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare provides hospice services for families in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Located at 350 Hilton Road, this team focuses on comfort and dignity during a difficult time. They serve residents across Horry County with a dedicated approach to end-of-life care. Choosing the right hospice is a big decision for your family. The team here works hard to manage pain and provide emotional support. You can reach them directly at (843) 848-6480 to learn more about their specific care programs. They are a non-profit group, which often means their focus stays firmly on the patient. It is a local resource built to help your loved one stay comfortable in their own home or a care setting. When you need clear answers and gentle help, this team is ready to step in and walk beside you.
About Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare has been a Medicare-certified provider since October 23, 1987. That is nearly four decades of service to the community. Being a non-profit organization matters here. It means their earnings are put back into patient care rather than profits for owners. That is a big deal for families seeking honest support. They have established a long track record of helping people in Myrtle Beach. You should know that they meet strict federal standards set by Medicare to keep that certification. This history gives them deep roots in the local health system. They understand the specific needs of our coastal community. When you choose a long-standing provider, you get the benefit of their experience. They know how to handle the complex medical and emotional needs that come at the end of life. You are not just a number to them.
Understanding Hospice Care in Myrtle Beach
Hospice is about living well for as long as possible. It is not just about the final days. The goal is to focus on comfort, peace, and quality time with your family. In Myrtle Beach, you have access to professional teams that bring care to you. This could be at your house, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The thing is, many people wait too long to call. They think hospice means giving up. That is not true at all. It is actually about getting extra help to manage symptoms like pain or trouble breathing. When you have a team of nurses, social workers, and aides, your daily life becomes much easier to manage. You get more time to share stories and memories. That is the real value of hospice care. It is a layer of support that makes life better for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team feels overwhelming. Take a breath and focus on these simple questions to find the right fit. First, ask how quickly they can respond if there is a sudden crisis at night or on a weekend. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Second, ask what specific tasks the hospice aide will handle at home. It helps to know exactly what to expect from their visits. Third, ask how they help the family cope with the emotional side of loss. Good hospice care includes support for the whole family, not just the patient. And finally, ask how they coordinate care with your primary doctor. You want everyone on the same page. Do not be afraid to ask these questions. A good provider will be happy to answer them clearly and with kindness.
Other Hospice Providers Nearby
MEDICAL SERVICES OF AMERICA HOSPICE - COASTAL
EMBRACE HOSPICE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, LLC
HOMESTEAD HOSPICE OF AUGUSTA, LLC
SUNRISE HOSPICE
ANGELIC HEALTH OF SC LLC
HEARTLAND HOSPICE SERVICES
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