ELARA CARING
Provider Information
- Address
- 4200 LITTLE BLUE PARKWAY, STE 530
INDEPENDENCE, MO 64057 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 7, 2004
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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) | 2 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
5
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.
18.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 92nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
14
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 day18.5 min
Ranks better than about 92% 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 weekends9.4%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 life100%
Ranks better than about 99% 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 visits18.6%
Ranks better than about 90% 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 care11.1%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 months37%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 care14.8%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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$24,304 · 79th 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 7 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 80.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life80.5%
- 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.
- Heart and circulatory disease31%
- Other conditions28%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Hospice Care in Independence
Elara Caring serves families across Independence, Missouri, from their office on Little Blue Parkway. They offer hospice services designed to provide comfort and dignity for patients during their final months. Their team focuses on managing pain and supporting the emotional needs of everyone involved. This is a tough time for any family. Having a local team nearby can make a big difference when you need help quickly. They have been providing these services since 2004. That is two decades of experience serving the Jackson County area. You can reach their team directly at (816) 444-4611 to learn more about how they can help your loved one. Choosing the right care is a personal journey. You want a team that listens to your needs and understands your specific situation. Elara Caring works to bring peace to your home during this transition.
About ELARA CARING
Elara Caring operates as an 'Other' ownership type, which is common for many hospice providers in the region. They earned their Medicare certification back on January 7, 2004. Being Medicare certified means they meet strict federal rules for safety and care quality. Here is the thing—not all hospice providers are the same. Some focus more on home-based care, while others might have different strengths. You should always ask about their specific experience with your loved one's diagnosis. What most people do not realize is that you have the power to choose who provides this care. You are not stuck with the first option you see. Take your time to talk with their staff. See if their values match what your family needs right now. A good provider will welcome your questions and be open about how they operate. They want you to feel confident in your choice.
High Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in INDEPENDENCE
Independence is a vibrant community with many resources for aging adults. Finding the right hospice team here means looking for someone who knows the local area well. Many families in Jackson County want care that feels local and personal. The goal of hospice is simple. It is about improving the quality of life when a cure is no longer the main focus. Doctors, nurses, and social workers often work together to build a plan just for you. But what does that really look like? It means having someone available to answer your call at 3 a.m. It means having supplies delivered to your door. And it means having a volunteer who can sit and chat when you feel alone. That is the kind of support that changes everything. You deserve a team that treats your loved one like family, not just a chart number.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a partner for end-of-life care is a big step. You should feel empowered to ask hard questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. This is vital for peace of mind. Ask them about their specific experience with your loved one's condition. Do they have special training for it? You should also ask how they support family caregivers who might be feeling burned out. It is okay to admit that you need help. Finally, ask what happens if your loved one needs to go to a hospital for a short time. A good hospice team will have a clear plan for these moments. Do not be afraid to speak up. Your comfort and your loved one's dignity are the most important things here. Take a deep breath and trust your gut feelings during these meetings.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We can help you capture those precious memories and turn them into a lasting gift for your children and grandchildren.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
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.
How to Start Hospice Conversations: A Practical Guide
Learn how to start hospice conversations with your loved ones. Get expert scripts, signs it is time, and tools to find quality care near you with Hospice Scout.
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.
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.