Companion Care in Rochester, WI: Senior Companions at Home

Local figures

Companion Care in Rochester, WI: the local picture

745

residents 65 or older (20% of Rochester)

19%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (31% in Racine County)

2.6%

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

0.0%

of households have no vehicle (5.2% in Racine County)

About 139 residents of Rochester aged 65 or older live alone, 19% of older residents in households (31% in Racine County). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.

0.0% of Rochester households have no vehicle (5.2% in Racine County). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.

Of the 745 Rochester residents aged 65 or older, 37 are 85 or older (5.0%). 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.

325 Rochester households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 61 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 19 older Rochester residents (2.6%) live below the poverty line (7.9% in Racine 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.

Rochester compared with Racine County and Wisconsin

Census figure	Rochester	Racine County	Wisconsin
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	19%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	20%	18%	19%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	2.6%	9.1%	9.0%
Households with no vehicle	0.0%	5.2%	6.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	2.6%	7.9%	9.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	14%	31%	28%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$75,278	$60,265	—

Older residents in towns around Rochester

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Waterford, WI	2.9 mi	1,266	33%
Burlington, WI	4.1 mi	2,052	31%
Tichigan, WI	5.8 mi	1,026	11%
Wind Lake, WI	8.2 mi	990	21%
East Troy, WI	8.2 mi	878	38%
Mukwonago, WI	9.0 mi	1,395	31%

Hospitals near Rochester (for rides to appointments)

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Aurora Memorial Hospital Burlington	Burlington, WI	4.8 mi	4 of 5	(262) 767-6545
Mercy Walworth Hospital & Medical Center	Lake Geneva, WI	14 mi	3 of 5	(262) 245-0535
Aurora Lakeland Medical Center	Elkhorn, WI	15 mi	5 of 5	(262) 741-2000

Straight-line miles from the center of Rochester. 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 Rochester

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 24% of the $6,273 monthly median income of Rochester households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin's minimum wage is $7.25 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 IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver.

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 Rochester: common questions

How many seniors live alone in Rochester?

About 139 residents aged 65 or older, 19% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (31% in Racine County).

How much does companion care cost in Rochester?

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 24% of the $6,273 monthly median income of Rochester households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

What does a companion caregiver do in Rochester?

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 Rochester

More senior care near Rochester

Companion Care in nearby cities

Other care in Rochester

More for Rochester 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 Rochester, WI