ELARA CARING
Provider Information
- Address
- 3745 SW WANAMAKER RD, STE A
TOPEKA, KS 66610 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 4, 1997
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) | 44 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 19 |
| Physicians | 3 |
| Volunteers | 129 |
129
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 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 2015.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ELARA CARING compares to hospices nationwide.
14.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 71st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
95
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 day14.4 min
Ranks better than about 71% 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 weekends8.7%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 life96.1%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 visits71.4%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 care6.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 months55.6%
Ranks better than about 11% 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 care13.3%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 hospice1.1%
Ranks better than about 49% 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)67th 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$18,563 · 53rd 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 73.3% 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 life73.3%
- 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.
- Cancer14%
- Dementia33%
- Heart and circulatory disease27%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care at Elara Caring
Elara Caring serves families across Topeka, Kansas, from their office on SW Wanamaker Road. They provide specialized hospice care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses. The team works hard to support both the patient and their loved ones during this difficult time. Whether managing pain or providing emotional support, they aim to bring peace to the home environment. Choosing the right partner for end-of-life care is a big decision for any family. That is why having local experts who understand the Shawnee County community matters so much. You want a team that truly listens to your needs. Elara Caring has been a part of the Medicare program since 1997, showing a long history of service in this region. They bring years of experience to every home they visit.
About Elara Caring
Elara Caring operates as a for-profit hospice provider. They have held Medicare certification since April 4, 1997. This certification means they meet strict federal standards for safety and quality. When you look at for-profit providers, the main thing to know is that they often offer a wide range of extra services to support families. You should always feel free to ask about their specific staff ratios or how they handle after-hours calls. That is a fair question to ask any provider. Because they have been in the field for over twenty-five years, they have built strong roots in the Topeka area. Their longevity suggests they understand the local healthcare system well. It is important to focus on how their specific team matches your family's values. Take your time to talk with them about their approach to care. They are there to help you navigate these complex steps with more ease.
Understanding Hospice Care in Topeka
Hospice care in Topeka is about more than just medicine. It is about surrounding a loved one with care, warmth, and support. Many families in Shawnee County find that hospice changes the whole experience for the better. The goal is to focus on comfort rather than a cure. This shift allows families to spend quality time together without the stress of constant hospital trips. Most people think hospice only happens in a facility, but that is not true. The vast majority of care happens right where the patient lives. That could be a private home, an assisted living center, or a nursing home. Local providers like Elara Caring coordinate with your existing doctors to make sure the care plan fits your specific situation perfectly. The thing is, you do not have to walk this path alone. There is a whole network of support available to help your family through every single day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice team is a personal process. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions to find the right fit. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can reach your home in an emergency. You also want to know how the team handles pain and other symptoms at night or on the weekend. Another good question is how they support the family emotionally after a loss. Do they offer grief counseling or support groups? It is also smart to ask about their specific experience with your loved one's diagnosis. Every provider has different strengths. The best ones will be happy to explain their process in simple terms. If you feel rushed or ignored, look for another option. Trust your gut feeling during these talks. You deserve a partner who makes you feel heard, supported, and respected at every turn. Take your time to get the answers you need before making a final choice.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is about more than just medical care. It is a chance to capture the memories and wisdom that make your family unique. We can help you record these stories to keep them safe for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence 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.