CARE INITIATIVES HOSPICE - CEDAR FALLS
Provider Information
- Address
- 6915 CHANCELLOR DRIVE SUITE A
CEDAR FALLS, IA 50613 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 17, 2009
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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) | 3 |
| Physicians | 5 |
47
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 CARE INITIATIVES HOSPICE - CEDAR FALLS 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how CARE INITIATIVES HOSPICE - CEDAR FALLS compares to hospices nationwide.
13.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 60th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
129
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 day13.2 min
Ranks better than about 60% 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 weekends4.4%
Ranks better than about 11% 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 life97.4%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 visits43.9%
Ranks better than about 62% 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 care3.1%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 months61.1%
Ranks better than about 6% 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 care5.3%
Ranks better than about 60% 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)79th 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$15,390 · 36th 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 70.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.3%
- Visits in the last days of life70.2%
- All care steps completed96.1%
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%
- Dementia25%
- Heart and circulatory disease33%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care Initiatives Hospice in Cedar Falls
Care Initiatives Hospice serves the Cedar Falls community from their office on Chancellor Drive. They offer end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity for patients and their loved ones. Families in Black Hawk County can rely on their team for support during this transition. The hospice model prioritizes pain management and emotional peace. It is about living each day as fully as possible. That is a big deal when you are facing a serious health challenge. Their staff works hard to help patients stay at home whenever they can. They provide care that honors the wishes of the person receiving it. And they make sure the family feels supported every single step of the way. Choosing the right partner for this journey is a vital decision for your peace of mind.
About Care Initiatives Hospice - Cedar Falls
This provider has been Medicare certified since November 17, 2009. That is over a decade of serving the local area. They operate under an 'Other' ownership structure. You might wonder what that means for your family. It simply means they are organized as a specific type of entity, not a large hospital system. What families should know is that they have earned an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from CMS. They also hold a 4.5 star rating for their quality of care. These scores come from the Hospice Care Index. It measures how well a provider manages patient needs. The thing is, these numbers give you a clear look at their performance. They show a strong track record of helping people in their final months. You want a team that knows the community well. Being in Black Hawk County, they understand the local resources available to you.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in Cedar Falls
Hospice is a specialized form of care for those with a life-limiting illness. In Iowa, many families choose hospice to avoid frequent trips to the hospital. The goal is to keep the patient comfortable in their own home. You get a team of nurses, aides, and social workers. They visit you to manage symptoms and provide emotional support. It is not just about the patient, though. The team also helps family members handle the stress of caregiving. Many people wait too long to call for help. The truth is, hospice can start as soon as a doctor says life expectancy is six months or less. Early care can bring much-needed relief to everyone involved. You don't have to carry this burden by yourself. Reach out to local providers early to see how they can improve your daily quality of life.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a provider is a deeply personal task. You need to feel confident in the team you choose. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You should also ask about their volunteer services. Volunteers often provide companionship or help with errands. Another good question is how they handle pain management during the night or on weekends. Will you have a direct line to a nurse at all times? You should also ask how they support the family after a loss. Grief counseling is a standard part of hospice care. But every agency does it a bit differently. Ask them to explain their plan for your specific situation. If they seem rushed or cannot answer, that is a red flag. Take your time to find the right fit for your loved one.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is often a chance to reflect on the life and memories of someone you love. Recording these stories helps keep their legacy alive for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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HOSPICE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
HOSPICE OF PALO ALTO COUNTY
BEACON OF HOPE HOSPICE
ST. ANTHONY REGIONAL HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME
HOSPICE OF THE HEARTLAND
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.
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
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.