ELARA CARING
Provider Information
- Address
- 209 E WASHINGTON AVE, SUITE 450A
JACKSON, MI 49202 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 26, 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) | 27 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
53
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
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 2013.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ELARA CARING compares to hospices nationwide.
11 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 35th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
196
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 day11 min
Ranks better than about 35% 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 weekends11.8%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 life93.3%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 visits65%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 care9.4%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 months39.1%
Ranks better than about 43% 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 care11.7%
Ranks better than about 28% 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 hospice4.5%
Ranks better than about 13% 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$13,697 · 27th 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 65.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life65.2%
- All care steps completed99.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer24%
- Dementia16%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions26%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Jackson
Elara Caring serves families in Jackson, Michigan, from their office on East Washington Avenue. They provide end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing a hospice team is a deeply personal decision that happens during a very difficult time. You want professionals who understand both the medical needs and the emotional journey of your loved ones. Elara Caring has been part of the local healthcare landscape for many years, offering support when families need it most. They work to manage pain and symptoms while providing guidance to caregivers. It is about making sure that the final chapter of life is lived with as much peace and comfort as possible. Their presence in the community helps ensure that specialized care is accessible to those living in Jackson County.
About ELARA CARING
Elara Caring is a for-profit hospice provider that has been Medicare certified since October 1998. This long history of certification shows they have met federal standards for care for over 25 years. That is a long time to serve a community. When you look at a provider, ownership status is just one piece of the puzzle. It does not tell you everything about how they care for their patients. What matters most is how they treat the people they serve every day. Families should know that Medicare certification ensures the provider follows strict rules for safety and quality. Elara Caring operates out of their suite on Washington Avenue, acting as a resource for the entire county. They focus on the patient's goals and wishes. And they prioritize keeping the family informed at every single step of the process.
Understanding Hospice Care in JACKSON
Finding the right care in Jackson County means looking at several factors beyond just a name on a list. Hospice care is not a place you go to, but a service that comes to where you live. This could be your own home, a nursing facility, or an assisted living center. The team includes nurses, doctors, aides, and social workers who all work together. They visit regularly to check on symptoms and offer support. The thing is, many people wait too long to call for help. Hospice is meant to provide support for months, not just the final days. It is designed to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family. By starting early, the team can build a real relationship with you. That makes a big difference when things get tough later on.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask tough questions before you sign any paperwork. First, ask how quickly they can respond if there is a medical crisis in the middle of the night. You need to know that someone is available 24/7. Second, ask how they handle pain management and if they have a specific plan for your loved one. Third, ask how their team will communicate with your primary doctor. Coordination is key to good care. Finally, ask about the support they offer to family members after a loss. Grief support is a huge part of what a good hospice provider does. Do not be afraid to ask these things. A good provider will be happy to answer because they want you to feel comfortable with your choice.
Other Hospice Providers Nearby
OPTIMAL CARE HOSPICE
GENTIVA II
HENRY FORD HEALTH HOSPICE-CENTRAL MICHIGAN
HEARTLAND HOSPICE (MASON)
A CHANGE OF SEASONS HOSPICE, INC.
OPEN ARMS HOSPICE
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