GENTLE SHEPHERD HOSPICE INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 6045 PETERS CREEK ROAD
ROANOKE, VA 24019 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 17, 1995
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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) | 15 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
33
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 GENTLE SHEPHERD HOSPICE INC 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 GENTLE SHEPHERD HOSPICE INC compares to hospices nationwide.
9.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 20th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
86
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 day9.5 min
Ranks better than about 20% 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 weekends10%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 life88.3%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 visits59.8%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 care9.9%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 months38%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 care15.5%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 hospice11.3%
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$19,271 · 57th 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 33.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.6%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment94.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.5%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life33.3%
- All care steps completed96.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer17%
- Dementia46%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease4%
- Stroke12%
- Other conditions9%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Gentle Shepherd Hospice Inc
Gentle Shepherd Hospice Inc serves families throughout the Roanoke, Virginia area. They provide end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity. Being located on Peters Creek Road, they are easy to reach for local residents. The team works hard to support patients during their final months. It is about making every day count. They have been certified by Medicare since May 1995. That is nearly three decades of experience in the field. Here is the thing—finding the right partner for your loved one is a major decision. You want a team that truly listens to your needs. This provider focuses on bringing peace and relief to families in Botetourt and beyond. They offer a range of hospice services designed to help you navigate this difficult transition with grace and care.
About Gentle Shepherd Hospice Inc
Gentle Shepherd Hospice Inc operates as a for-profit hospice provider. Being a for-profit entity means they are accountable to specific operational standards set by CMS. They earned their Medicare certification back in 1995. That longevity shows they have been a steady presence in the community for a long time. Families should know that Medicare certification is not just a label. It means the provider meets strict federal rules for safety and care quality. What most people do not realize is that all Medicare-certified hospices must offer the same basic services. This includes nursing care, medical equipment, and grief support. The difference usually lies in the team culture and their response time. You should always feel comfortable asking how their staff handles after-hours calls. That is a big deal when you need help in the middle of the night.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in Roanoke
Roanoke families have access to several hospice options. Hospice is not a place you go. It is a type of care that comes to you. Most patients receive these services in their own homes. Some stay in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The goal is always the same. They want to manage pain and improve quality of life. The thing is, many families wait too long to call for help. They think hospice is only for the very final days. That is simply not true. You can get support for six months or even longer if your doctor agrees. Starting early means you have more time to build a relationship with the nursing staff. It gives you a safety net when things get tough. Lean on them. That is exactly what they are there for.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to choose the best fit for your family. Do not be afraid to ask hard questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You also want to know who will be on your primary care team. Will you see the same nurse every week? Consistency matters. Ask about their experience with your loved one’s specific health condition. Some providers have extra training for certain illnesses. And ask how they support the family after a loss. Grief support is a key part of hospice care. It shows they care about the whole family, not just the patient. Take notes during your talk. It helps to have the answers written down when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a unique history worth remembering. Capture their voice, wisdom, and favorite memories now so they can be shared for generations to come.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
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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.