Hospice Support in Albert Lea, MN: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Albert Lea, MN: the local picture

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Albert Lea ZIP codes

967

residents 85 or older (5.3% of all residents)

36%

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

30%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Freeborn County)

Medicare lists 5 hospices whose service area includes Albert Lea ZIP codes, the nearest offices being St Croix Hospice in Albert Lea (0.3 mi) and Prairie Grace Hospice, LLC in Mankato (47 mi).

1,551 Albert Lea residents 65 or older live alone (36% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Albert Lea compared with Freeborn County and Minnesota

Census figure	Albert Lea	Freeborn County	Minnesota
Residents 85 or older	5.3%	3.8%	2.1%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	31%	30%
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	29%	28%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	5.9%	5.6%	5.4%
Residents 65 or older	25%	23%	17%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.5%	6.8%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,241	$49,381	—

Older residents in towns around Albert Lea

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Austin, MN	19 mi	4,489	29%
Waseca, MN	30 mi	1,516	30%
Forest City, IA	31 mi	756	40%
Owatonna, MN	31 mi	5,174	35%
Clear Lake, IA	36 mi	2,089	22%
Mason City, IA	36 mi	6,215	33%

Hospices serving Albert Lea

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
St Croix Hospice	Albert Lea, MN	0.3 mi	(507) 416-4247
Prairie Grace Hospice, LLC	Mankato, MN	47 mi	(507) 821-0430
Moments Hospice	Rochester, MN	50 mi	(507) 888-9700
Mayo Clinic Hospice	Rochester, MN	52 mi	(507) 284-4002
Allina Health Hospice & Palliative Care	Minneapolis, MN	89 mi	(651) 635-9173

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

What it covers

What a caregiver for hospice support can help with

Comfort, company and a calm presence
Gentle personal care and repositioning
Small meals and fluids as the person wants
Telling the hospice nurse about changes

Cost

What hospice support costs in Albert Lea

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,520 monthly median income of Albert Lea households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 caregiver for hospice support

Under Medicare, hospice is for someone whose doctors certify a life expectancy of six months or less and who chooses comfort care instead of treatment to cure the illness. Medicare does not cover room and board for hospice care at home (Medicare.gov).

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for someone at the end of life? How do you work with a hospice nurse? Can you sit overnight in the last days if needed? More in our hospice support guide.

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

Questions

Hospice Support in Albert Lea: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Albert Lea?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,520 monthly median income of Albert Lea households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Who qualifies for hospice under Medicare?

Someone whose hospice doctor (and regular doctor, if they have one) certifies a life expectancy of six months or less, and who accepts comfort care instead of curative treatment (Medicare.gov).

More near Albert Lea

More senior care near Albert Lea

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Albert Lea

More for Albert Lea 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.

In-Home Hospice Support in Albert Lea, MN