ELARA CARING
Provider Information
- Address
- 1614 W BUSINESS HWY 60, STE A-2
DEXTER, MO 63841 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 8, 2008
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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) | 10 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
24
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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ELARA CARING compares to hospices nationwide.
13.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 67th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
94
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 day13.9 min
Ranks better than about 67% 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 weekends5.8%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 life96.2%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 visits27.3%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 care7.6%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 months38%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 care15.2%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 hospice2.2%
Ranks better than about 35% 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$15,100 · 34th 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 54.6% 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 life54.6%
- 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.
- Cancer25%
- Dementia13%
- Heart and circulatory disease38%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions10%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Elara Caring in Dexter
Elara Caring serves patients in Dexter, Missouri. This provider offers end-of-life care for residents in Stoddard County. They have been certified by Medicare since 2008. The team holds accreditation from CHAP. This organization checks that hospice providers meet high standards. It is a sign of quality for any family seeking care.
About Elara Caring
Elara Caring operates as a for-profit hospice provider. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus only on this type of care. They have a team of 24 employees. This group includes 10 registered nurses and 2 licensed practical nurses. They also have one volunteer on their team. The CHAP accreditation shows they follow strict rules for safety and care. These rules help ensure that patients get consistent support. Most families look for this type of third-party review. It gives you a clear picture of how the agency runs its daily tasks. They have served the area for many years. That experience helps them manage care for your loved ones.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Dexter?
Hospice care in Dexter focuses on comfort for the patient and support for the family. You will find that teams here work to manage pain and symptoms at home. The staff at Elara Caring includes 10 registered nurses. These nurses lead the clinical care for patients. They work with the rest of the staff to keep things simple. And they help coordinate medical needs in the Stoddard County area. You can expect regular visits from the team. They monitor the health of the patient closely. This care model keeps the patient in a familiar setting. It allows family members to spend more time together. Good care makes a difference during this time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a big step. You should feel comfortable with the people who enter your home. Start by asking how many nurses will visit each week. Ask how the team handles emergencies during the night. You should also ask about the role of volunteers. And check if they provide equipment like hospital beds. Ask how they keep family members updated on care changes. Do not be afraid to ask for specific examples of their support. You deserve clear answers to these basic questions. Finding the right fit takes time but pays off later.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the memories and wisdom of your loved ones to keep their stories alive for future generations.
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