ELARA CARING I
Provider Information
- Address
- 1011 E. TOUHY AVE STE 170A
DES PLAINES, IL 60018 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 17, 1998
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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) | 4 |
| Physicians | 1 |
15
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 ELARA CARING I 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
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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 2015.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ELARA CARING I compares to hospices nationwide.
15.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 77th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
46
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 day15.2 min
Ranks better than about 77% 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 weekends9.6%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 life94.9%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 visits43.1%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 care7.3%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 months43.9%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 hospice4.9%
Ranks better than about 11% 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$15,737 · 38th 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 66.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life66.3%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer19%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions24%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About ELARA CARING I
ELARA CARING I serves families in Des Plaines, Illinois. This provider offers hospice support to those in need of end of life care. They have held Medicare certification since 1998. The team works hard to provide comfort at home. They carry CHAP accreditation, which shows they meet high national standards for safety and care. This extra step proves they keep a close eye on their daily operations. It is a sign of their commitment to quality. You can expect a professional approach from this team.
Provider Details
This is a for profit hospice provider. Being a for profit group means they operate under a business model, but they must follow strict federal rules to keep their certification. Accreditation from CHAP is a big deal. It means an outside group checked their work against tough rules. They looked at how the team manages patient safety and medical records. This helps families feel sure about the level of care provided. The group is small, with 15 employees total. They include four registered nurses and one physician. This team size allows them to know each patient by name. That is a benefit of a smaller, focused group. They stay close to the people they serve in the Cook County area.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in DES PLAINES?
Hospice care in this area focuses on comfort. It is not about curing a disease. Instead, it is about making each day better for the person in care. The team includes one physician and four registered nurses. They work together to manage pain and other symptoms. You can expect them to visit your home regularly. They also coordinate with your local pharmacy and equipment providers. The goal is to keep the patient in their own bed, surrounded by family, as much as possible. It is a medical service, but it feels personal. They provide the tools and training to help you care for your loved one. This makes a tough time a bit easier to manage. You get the support you need, right where you live.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a big decision. You want to feel good about your choice. Start by asking how the team handles pain at night. You should also ask how often a nurse will be in your home. It helps to know how they handle emergencies after hours. Ask who you should call if a problem happens on a Sunday morning. Finally, ask what their philosophy is on patient comfort. Do they focus on the whole family or just the patient? These questions will reveal a lot about their culture and care style. Listen for clear answers that make you feel at ease. You have the right to ask these things. Take your time to get the right answers for your family.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a life full of memories and wisdom. We offer tools to help you record and save these stories for future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
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What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
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