ELARA CARING
Provider Information
- Address
- 1530 WEST MARKET STREET
AKRON, OH 44313 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 28, 2006
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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) | 23 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 6 |
63
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
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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 2011.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ELARA CARING compares to hospices nationwide.
11.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 41st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
260
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 day11.5 min
Ranks better than about 41% 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 weekends9.2%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 life93.6%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 visits68.4%
Ranks better than about 28% 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 months40%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 care12.2%
Ranks better than about 26% 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$17,193 · 46th 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 65.8% 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 life65.8%
- 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.
- Cancer10%
- Dementia17%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke21%
- Other conditions20%
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 Akron
Elara Caring provides hospice services to families throughout the Akron, Ohio area. Located at 1530 West Market Street in Summit County, they help patients manage end-of-life care with compassion. They have been Medicare-certified since December 2006. This means they meet strict federal standards for safety and care quality. The team works hard to support both the patient and their loved ones during a difficult time. Getting the right care matters, and this provider has a long history of serving the local community. Choosing hospice is a big step for any family. You deserve a team that understands your needs and respects your choices every step of the way.
About Elara Caring
Elara Caring operates as a for-profit hospice provider. Being for-profit simply describes their business model, but it does not tell the whole story about their care. What matters most is their track record. Since 2006, they have served the Summit County area under Medicare oversight. That is nearly two decades of experience. The thing is, every hospice provider operates differently. Some focus on specific types of care, while others offer a broader range of support. Families should look at how a provider treats their patients day-to-day. You want a group that communicates clearly and answers your questions without using confusing medical jargon. That is the hallmark of a good partner. Always check if their approach matches your family's personal values and specific goals for comfort and peace of mind.
Quality Performance Summary
Understanding Hospice Care in Akron
Hospice is about more than just medicine. It is about comfort, dignity, and making the most of every single day. In Akron, many families find peace by bringing in experts who specialize in pain management and emotional support. The goal is to keep your loved one at home whenever possible. That is where they are most comfortable. The local hospice community here works to ensure that care plans are tailored to individual needs. But you should know that you have choices. You can interview more than one provider to see who fits your family best. And remember, hospice care is a team effort. It involves nurses, aides, and social workers all working toward the same goal. They are there to help you navigate the emotional hurdles that come with this transition. Lean on them often.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice team is a personal decision that requires clear information. Start by asking these three questions to see if the provider is a good fit. First, ask how quickly they can send a nurse to your home in an emergency. You want someone who responds fast. Second, ask what kind of support they offer to family caregivers who might be tired or stressed. You need to know you are not alone in this. Finally, ask how they handle changes in a patient's pain levels at night or on the weekend. You deserve answers that feel honest and direct. If a provider seems rushed or uses complex words, keep looking. Trust your gut. A good hospice team will make you feel heard and supported from the very first phone call you make to them.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories, wisdom, and memories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations. Capturing these moments now provides comfort during difficult times and creates a lasting treasure for your children and grandchildren.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
HOMESTEAD HOSPICE OF OHIO, LLC
BETTER TOGETHER HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE
SUMMA HOSPICE
GUARDIAN ANGEL HOME CARE AND HOSPICE OF AKRON
COMPASSIONATE CARE HOSPICE OF OHIO LLC
VISTING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND HOSPICE
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.
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
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.