CARING SHIELD HOSPICE, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 3538 CENTRAL AVE
RIVERSIDE, CA 92506 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 12, 2018
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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) | 2 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
8
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 CARING SHIELD 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
- 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how CARING SHIELD HOSPICE, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
7.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 8th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
18
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 from January 2022 through December 2024. 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 day7.7 min
Ranks better than about 8% 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 weekends6.5%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 life90.2%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 visits84.8%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 care10.8%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 months32.3%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 care9.2%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 hospice3.1%
Ranks better than about 24% 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$18,937 · 55th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 11.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life11.4%
- 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.
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease32%
- Lung and respiratory disease18%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Caring Shield Hospice, Inc in Riverside
Caring Shield Hospice, Inc serves families in Riverside, California. They offer end of life support from their office on Central Avenue. This provider holds accreditation from the Joint Commission. That is a rare mark of quality for a freestanding hospice agency. They have served the community since 2018. The team works to support patients and their loved ones during a difficult time. They focus on comfort and symptom management for those with life limiting illness. You can reach their office at (818) 482-6290 to learn more about their specific services. Choosing the right care provider is a big step for your family. This agency is one option for residents in the Riverside area who need hospice care. They are a for profit organization that maintains a clear focus on their patients. Getting the right help makes a difference.
About CARING SHIELD HOSPICE, INC
This agency operates as a for profit hospice provider. They earned their Medicare certification in September 2018. The Joint Commission provides their accreditation. This group checks hospice agencies against high standards. They look at patient safety and how the agency manages care plans. When a provider carries this stamp of approval, it shows they want to meet high goals. The staff includes two registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. Two physicians and three volunteers round out the team. A small team can offer more personal attention. You should ask how these professionals work together to meet your needs. Every family has unique goals for their loved one. You deserve to know how the staff will support your specific situation. These team members play different roles to ensure comfort. It is helpful to meet them early to see if they are a good fit for your family.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in RIVERSIDE?
Hospice care in Riverside provides support for people at the end of their lives. The goal is to keep patients comfortable at home or in a facility. Caring Shield Hospice, Inc employs a team of eight people to provide this care. This includes two registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse who handle clinical needs. Two doctors and three volunteers also help provide care. The team works to manage pain and other difficult symptoms. They also offer emotional support to family members. You might wonder how they handle emergencies. Most hospice teams provide on call support at all hours. This means you can get help even in the middle of the night. Having a local team makes it easier for them to visit your home quickly. They understand the resources available in Riverside County. That local knowledge helps them coordinate your care with other doctors or community services.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a hospice provider is the best way to learn if they fit your needs. You should ask about their response time for urgent calls. Find out how often the nurses will visit your home each week. It helps to ask how they handle pain management for their patients. You should also ask how they support family caregivers who are tired or overwhelmed. Ask if they provide volunteers to sit with your loved one. You might want to know how they coordinate with your current primary doctor. Ask how they handle sudden changes in the health of your loved one. These questions will help you feel more confident in your choice. Take your time to get clear answers. You deserve to understand exactly how the team will care for your family member. Do not feel rushed during these talks. A good provider will be happy to answer every single question you have.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that should be saved for future generations. We offer tools to help you record memories and stories while you have the time.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
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Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
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Some stories are worth writing down
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