Hospice Support in Altoona, WI: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Altoona, WI: the local picture

7

Medicare-certified hospices serve Altoona ZIP codes

323

residents 85 or older (3.6% of all residents)

33%

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

34%

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

Medicare lists 7 hospices whose service area includes Altoona ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Interim Healthcare Hospice Of Western Wisconsin in Eau Claire (2.6 mi) and Lily Home And Hospice in Eau Claire (2.6 mi).

518 Altoona residents 65 or older live alone (33% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Altoona compared with Eau Claire County and Wisconsin

Census figure	Altoona	Eau Claire County	Wisconsin
Residents 85 or older	3.6%	2.1%	2.1%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	31%	30%
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	29%	28%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	9.7%	6.0%	5.3%
Residents 65 or older	19%	17%	19%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.7%	7.2%	9.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$66,250	$58,282	—

Older residents in towns around Altoona

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Eau Claire, WI	3.0 mi	11,454	35%
Lake Hallie, WI	6.4 mi	1,035	31%
Chippewa Falls, WI	9.6 mi	3,042	48%
Lake Wissota, WI	11 mi	640	25%
Mondovi, WI	19 mi	634	48%
Bloomer, WI	21 mi	783	32%

Hospices serving Altoona

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Interim Healthcare Hospice Of Western Wisconsin	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(715) 377-9617
Lily Home And Hospice	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(262) 235-3115
Moments Hospice Of Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(715) 800-0900
St Croix Hospice Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(715) 598-2635
Heartland Hospice Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(715) 214-2485
St Croix Hospice Hudson	Hudson, WI	64 mi	(534) 200-4502

Straight-line miles from the center of Altoona. 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 Altoona

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 27% of the $5,521 monthly median income of Altoona 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 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 Altoona: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Altoona?

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 27% of the $5,521 monthly median income of Altoona 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).

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 Altoona

More senior care near Altoona

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Altoona

More for Altoona 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 Altoona, WI