Hospice Support in Chariton, IA: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Chariton, IA: the local picture

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Chariton ZIP codes

247

residents 85 or older (5.8% of all residents)

47%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (36% in Lucas County)

49%

of residents 65+ report a disability (41% in Lucas County)

Medicare lists 6 hospices whose service area includes Chariton ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Care Initiatives Hospice - Albia in Albia (27 mi) and Everystep in Des Moines (43 mi).

374 Chariton residents 65 or older live alone (47% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Chariton compared with Lucas County and Iowa

Census figure	Chariton	Lucas County	Iowa
Residents 85 or older	5.8%	3.8%	2.3%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	47%	36%	31%
Residents 65+ with a disability	49%	41%	30%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	5.6%	5.0%	5.1%
Residents 65 or older	20%	22%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	18%	19%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$30,039	$36,847	—

Older residents in towns around Chariton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Knoxville, IA	23 mi	1,720	27%
Osceola, IA	25 mi	1,025	35%
Albia, IA	26 mi	812	43%
Indianola, IA	27 mi	2,906	42%
Centerville, IA	30 mi	1,205	35%
Pella, IA	34 mi	2,017	32%

Hospices serving Chariton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Care Initiatives Hospice - Albia	Albia, IA	27 mi	(641) 932-3488
Everystep	Des Moines, IA	43 mi	(515) 274-3400
Suncrest Hospice, LLC	West Des Moines, IA	46 mi	(515) 327-6026
Care Initiatives Hospice - West Des Moines	West Des Moines, IA	46 mi	(515) 223-3813
St Croix Hospice	Ankeny, IA	50 mi	(515) 276-2700
Care Initiatives Hospice - Greenfield	Greenfield, IA	62 mi	(641) 743-6226

Straight-line miles from the center of Chariton. 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 Chariton

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 60% of the $2,503 monthly median income of Chariton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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 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 Chariton: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Chariton?

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 60% of the $2,503 monthly median income of Chariton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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 Chariton

More senior care near Chariton

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Chariton

More for Chariton 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 Chariton, IA