Companion Care in Lena, IL: Senior Companions at Home

Local figures

Companion Care in Lena, IL: the local picture

611

residents 65 or older (22% of Lena)

36%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (29% in Stephenson County)

1.4%

of residents 5+ speak a language other than English at home

4.9%

of households have no vehicle (7.9% in Stephenson County)

About 205 residents of Lena aged 65 or older live alone, 36% of older residents in households (29% in Stephenson County). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.

4.9% of Lena households have no vehicle (7.9% in Stephenson County). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.

Of the 611 Lena residents aged 65 or older, 101 are 85 or older (17%). Before the first visit with someone in that oldest group, ask the family about hearing, eyesight, walking and any memory changes, so the visit is planned around them.

330 Lena households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 76 rent. A companion visiting a house may also help with mail, light chores and keeping an eye on things; in an apartment building, ask whether visitors sign in.

About 47 older Lena residents (8.3%) live below the poverty line (8.4% in Stephenson County). For them, Medicaid home and community-based services or the local Area Agency on Aging may cover some companion or homemaker hours, depending on the state program; private pay is not the only route.

Lena compared with Stephenson County and Illinois

Census figure	Lena	Stephenson County	Illinois
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	29%	30%
Residents 65 or older	22%	24%	17%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	1.4%	3.8%	24%
Households with no vehicle	4.9%	7.9%	11%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.3%	8.4%	10%
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	31%	32%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$57,500	$58,197	—

Older residents in towns around Lena

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Freeport, IL	11 mi	5,652	38%
Monroe, WI	18 mi	2,429	52%
Savanna, IL	26 mi	680	59%
Brodhead, WI	28 mi	575	53%
Mount Morris, IL	30 mi	897	49%
Winnebago, IL	31 mi	650	22%

Hospitals near Lena (for rides to appointments)

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Fhn Memorial Hospital	Freeport, IL	11 mi	3 of 5	(815) 599-6000
The Monroe Clinic	Monroe, WI	18 mi	5 of 5	(608) 324-2000
Lafayette Hospital And Clinics	Darlington, WI	26 mi	not rated	(608) 776-4466

Straight-line miles from the center of Lena. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a companion caregiver can help with

Conversation, cards, puzzles and shared hobbies
Walks and outings to the park, library or senior center
Company at meals, and help preparing them
Rides or escort to appointments, church and visits

Cost

What companion care costs in Lena

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,792 monthly median income of Lena households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a companion caregiver

Isolation is a health risk, not only a mood. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that nearly one in four Americans aged 65 and older living in the community is socially isolated, and linked isolation to higher risks of dementia, heart disease and early death (2020 report).

Questions worth asking: What do you enjoy doing with the people you care for? Are you comfortable driving, and is your car insured for passengers? How do you handle a client who does not want company at first? More in our companion care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Companion Care in Lena: common questions

How many seniors live alone in Lena?

About 205 residents aged 65 or older, 36% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (29% in Stephenson County).

How much does companion care cost in Lena?

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,792 monthly median income of Lena households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

What does a companion caregiver do in Lena?

A companion keeps an older adult company and helps around the visit: conversation, activities, walks, meals, errands, rides and reminders. It suits someone who is mostly independent but lonely, or a family that wants someone to check in on weekdays.

More near Lena

More senior care near Lena

Companion Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lena

More for Lena families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Companion Care for Seniors in Lena, IL