SPECIAL CARE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 18334 RIVERSIDE DRIVE - PO BOX 268
GRUNDY, VA 24614 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 26, 2004
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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) | 3 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
13
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 SPECIAL CARE HOSPICE 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SPECIAL CARE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 16th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
9
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 day9 min
Ranks better than about 16% 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 weekends4.9%
Ranks better than about 15% 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%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 visits86.8%
Ranks better than about 7% 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 care7.7%
Ranks better than about 41% 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 months26.9%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 care23.1%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 hospice7.7%
Ranks better than about 4% 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$18,677 · 54th 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 53.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life53.6%
- All care steps completed100%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Special Care Hospice in Grundy
Special Care Hospice serves families throughout Grundy, Virginia, and the surrounding Buchanan County area. They provide end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and support for the entire family unit. Whether a patient is at home or in a facility, the team works to manage pain and improve quality of life. Hospice is about making every day count. It is not just about the final days, but about living well during a challenging season. The team in Grundy is there to help guide you through these difficult moments with kindness and medical expertise. You do not have to walk this path alone. Having a local team nearby can make a big difference when urgent needs arise. They are ready to assist whenever you need them most.
About Special Care Hospice
Special Care Hospice operates as a for-profit provider. They have been Medicare certified since May 26, 2004. That is two decades of experience serving this community. For-profit status simply means the organization is managed like a business, but they must still follow strict federal rules to keep their certification. What should families know? The most important thing is how they treat their patients. You should always look at their history and see if they have been active in the area for a long time. Longevity often shows a commitment to the local population. They are located on Riverside Drive in Grundy. If you are considering them, reach out to their office at (276) 935-6655. Ask them about their specific care teams and how they handle after-hours calls. Getting answers early helps you feel more at peace with your decision.
Quality of Care Rating
Understanding Hospice Care in Grundy
Finding the right care in a rural area like Buchanan County brings unique challenges. You want a team that knows the local roads and understands the heartbeat of the community. Hospice care is a specialized benefit covered by Medicare. It focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The team usually includes a nurse, a social worker, and a chaplain. They visit the patient wherever they call home. But the real goal is to keep the patient comfortable and pain-free. Most families find that hospice care changes the experience of illness for the better. It brings in extra hands to help with daily tasks. It also provides emotional support for those who are grieving. The thing is, many people wait too long to call. Starting care sooner allows the team to build a real relationship with your loved one. That connection is vital for the best results.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a deeply personal decision. You need to feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Start by asking how quickly they can arrive if an emergency happens at night. You should also ask how often a nurse will visit the patient. It is smart to ask about their experience with the specific illness your loved one is facing. Another good question is how they support family caregivers who might be tired or overwhelmed. Do they offer volunteers to sit with the patient? How do they handle medication delivery? The answers to these questions will tell you a lot about their culture and care style. Don't be afraid to ask for clarity. You are the advocate for your family member. A good provider will be patient and happy to answer everything you need to know.
Preserve Your Family's Story
During this time, the memories and life lessons of your loved one are more precious than ever. Take a moment to capture those stories for future generations.
Learn MoreOther Hospice Providers Nearby
MEDI HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE
MEDI HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE
ENHABIT HOSPICE (RICHMOND)
CARILION HOSPICE SERVICES OF ROANOKE
BLUE RIDGE HOSPICE, INC
NAYAR HOSPICE LLC
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.
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.
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
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.