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 August 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 screening96.7%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.3%
- Visits in the last days of life70.2%
- All care steps completed95.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer19%
- Dementia25%
- Heart and circulatory disease33%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care Initiatives Hospice in Cedar Falls
Care Initiatives Hospice provides hospice services to families in Cedar Falls, Iowa. This freestanding provider has served the area since 2009. They maintain accreditation through the ACHC to ensure their services meet high standards. Their team offers support for patients and families during difficult times. Choosing the right care is a major decision. This provider aims to offer support that aligns with medical standards and patient needs.
About Care Initiatives Hospice - Cedar Falls
This hospice operates as an independent, freestanding provider in Black Hawk County. They have been certified by Medicare for over fifteen years. The ACHC accreditation is a badge of quality. It means an outside group reviewed their work to ensure they follow strict safety rules. This helps families feel secure in their choice. The organization employs a large team of 47 people. This includes 15 registered nurses and 3 licensed practical nurses. Five physicians are also on staff to help manage complex symptoms. These professionals work together to provide care. Having a large team often means more hands are available to help when needs change quickly. They focus on maintaining a high level of care for every patient they serve.
Quality and Satisfaction
What Is Hospice Care Like in Cedar Falls?
Hospice care focuses on comfort and dignity for patients with serious illness. In Cedar Falls, providers use a team-based approach to manage symptoms. The goal is to improve the quality of life for the patient. Many families find peace in this model. Care Initiatives Hospice uses a group of 15 registered nurses and 3 licensed practical nurses to handle daily health needs. Five physicians guide the medical side of care. This staffing levels allow for close monitoring of health changes. You can expect the team to visit your home regularly. They coordinate medications and medical equipment. They also provide emotional support for the family members involved. It is a team effort to keep the patient comfortable and safe in their own home setting.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a provider helps you understand if they are a good fit. You should ask these specific questions before making a choice:
- How quickly can a nurse respond to an urgent call at night?
- What specific training does your staff have for managing pain?
- How do you support family members who are grieving?
- Can you explain how the team communicates with our primary doctor?
Asking these questions gives you a clear picture of their daily work. Pay close attention to how they answer. Are they direct? Do they show kindness? You want a team that listens to your concerns. Take your time to get the answers you need before you sign any paperwork.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure. We offer simple tools to record memories and stories while you have the time to share them.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
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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.