AURORA AT HOME
Provider Information
- Address
- 1155 HONEY CREEK PARKWAY
WAUWATOSA, WI 53213 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 23, 1990
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 33 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 6 |
81
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 AURORA AT HOME 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 2013.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how AURORA AT HOME compares to hospices nationwide.
16.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 84th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
289
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 day16.4 min
Ranks better than about 84% 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 weekends10.4%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 life98.4%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 visits31.2%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 care9.8%
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 months27.6%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 care5.7%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 hospice0.3%
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)98th 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$9,791 · 10th 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 82% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- Pain assessment99.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.5%
- Visits in the last days of life82%
- All care steps completed98.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer34%
- Dementia7%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Aurora At Home
Aurora At Home serves the Wauwatosa area from its location on Honey Creek Parkway. This non-profit organization provides hospice services to families in Milwaukee County. They have offered these services since early 1990. The provider holds accreditation from the Joint Commission. This group evaluates health organizations to ensure they meet high standards for safety and patient care. Choosing an accredited provider means a team has passed a rigorous review process. It is a sign of their dedication to quality.
About Aurora At Home
This hospice operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit groups often focus on community service and patient needs. They have been Medicare certified for many years. That experience helps them understand the local health system well. Being accredited by the Joint Commission is a big step for any hospice program. The process looks at how the team manages medicines and handles emergencies. It also checks how they communicate with patients every day. Families should know that this team includes 81 total employees. This count covers 33 registered nurses and one physician. They also work with a small group of volunteers. These details show how the team is built to support your family during a difficult time.
Quality Note
What Is Hospice Care Like in WAUWATOSA?
Hospice care in this area focuses on comfort and dignity for the patient. You can expect a team approach to care in Milwaukee County. Aurora At Home uses a team of 33 registered nurses and 6 volunteers. They also have a licensed practical nurse on staff to help with daily needs. This setup allows them to respond to changes in a patient's health. The physician leads the medical side of things. Most care happens in the home setting. The goal is to keep the patient comfortable in their own space. It is all about managing pain and symptoms. And the staff works hard to provide support to the whole family. You will find that local providers follow strict federal rules to ensure care quality remains high. Ask about their specific response times for urgent needs.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right team takes time. Start by asking how many nurses are on call at night. You want to know who will answer the phone at 2:00 AM. Ask how they handle pain management for patients at home. It is also wise to ask about their volunteer services. Ask if they have experience with the specific illness your loved one faces. You should also check if they can provide care in a facility if home care is not enough. Do not feel rushed to pick a provider before you have answers. Good providers welcome these questions. They want you to feel sure about your decision. Take notes during your calls to keep the information clear. It helps to have a second person with you to listen.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Writing down memories can bring comfort to your family during this time. Start recording your history today.
Begin Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
LUTHER MANOR HOSPICE
ST CAMILLUS HOSPICE
REGIONAL HOSPICE SERVICES
SSM HEALTH AT HOME HOSPICE
HOSPICE ALLIANCE
ST CROIX HOSPICE WAUSAU
Helpful Guides for Families
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
Confused about hospice vs palliative care? We break down the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right end-of-life care for your loved one.
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.
Creating a Living Will Checklist: A Hospice Care Guide
Need help with end-of-life planning? Use our Creating a Living Will Checklist to ensure your loved one's medical wishes are honored. Start your planning today.
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.