SENTARA HOME CARE SERVICES
Provider Information
- Address
- 871 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR WAY SUITE 203
HARRISONBURG, VA 22801 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 2, 1996
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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) | 8 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
25
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 SENTARA HOME CARE 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SENTARA HOME CARE SERVICES compares to hospices nationwide.
13.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 65th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
67
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 day13.7 min
Ranks better than about 65% 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%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 life90.9%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 visits27.5%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 care10.6%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 months17%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 care17%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 hospice10.6%
Ranks better than about 1% 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$12,384 · 20th 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 44.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.3%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.3%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98%
- Visits in the last days of life44.7%
- All care steps completed97.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer28%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions12%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care in Harrisonburg
Sentara Home Care Services provides essential hospice support for families in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They focus on comfort and quality of life for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. Their team works right in your community to ensure that needs are met with kindness and expertise. Whether you are at home or in a care facility, they offer a steady hand during a difficult time. It is a local option that keeps patients close to the people they love most. That matters when every moment counts.
About Sentara Home Care Services
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They have been Medicare certified since July 1996, which shows a long history of serving the Harrisonburg area. Being in the community for nearly three decades is no small feat. They have spent years refining how they support families through the hospice journey. What most people do not realize is that for-profit status does not change the core mission of hospice. The goal remains focused on pain relief and emotional support for the whole family. You are looking for a team that listens to your concerns. They have the experience to handle complex situations with grace. When you meet with them, ask how their long history helps them handle the unique needs of your loved one. It is all about finding the right fit for your family's values.
Quality You Can Trust
Understanding Hospice Care in Harrisonburg
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing to live each day with as much comfort and dignity as possible. In Harrisonburg, you have several choices for end-of-life care. The thing is, choosing the right provider can feel like a heavy burden. You want someone who knows the local area and can get to your home quickly. That is why checking local ratings is a smart first step. Medicare tracks these numbers so you can compare the quality of different teams. Most hospice care happens right where the patient lives. This could be a private house, an apartment, or a nursing facility. The team visits regularly to check on medications and talk to the family. They provide a layer of support that makes life much easier during a hard season. You do not have to do this alone.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
It is normal to feel overwhelmed when you start this search. Take a deep breath and keep these questions handy. First, ask how quickly their nurses can reach your home in an emergency. You need to know that help is just a phone call away, day or night. Second, ask how they handle pain management and if they have a specific plan for your loved one. Third, ask what kind of support they offer to family members after a loss. Grief support is a huge part of what a good hospice team provides. Finally, ask how they will communicate with your primary doctor. Clear talk between the team and your doctor is vital for good care. Write these down before you call. It helps to keep the focus on what your family needs most right now.
Preserve Your Family's History
The stories and memories you share today are a gift for the future. We can help you capture these important moments to keep them safe for years to come.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
Confused about medicare hospice coverage? Discover exactly what is covered, how to manage costs, and navigate your benefits with our simple, expert guide.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
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.