Hospice Support in Chicago, IL: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Chicago, IL: the local picture

86

Medicare-certified hospices serve Chicago ZIP codes

45,108

residents 85 or older (1.7% of all residents)

36%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (32% in Cook County)

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Cook County)

Medicare lists 86 hospices whose service area includes Chicago ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Illinois in Chicago (1.3 mi) and Unity Hospice Of Chicagoland, LLC in Chicago (2.8 mi).

130,845 Chicago 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.

Chicago compared with Cook County and Illinois

Census figure	Chicago	Cook County	Illinois
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	2.0%	2.0%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	32%	32%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	8.7%	7.7%	6.9%
Residents 65 or older	14%	16%	17%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	18%	13%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$46,743	$56,774	—

Older residents in towns around Chicago

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Cicero, IL	3.9 mi	9,138	13%
Stickney, IL	4.8 mi	1,152	45%
Berwyn, IL	5.5 mi	7,625	26%
Oak Park, IL	6.4 mi	9,454	32%
Riverside, IL	6.8 mi	1,784	29%
Forest Park, IL	7.1 mi	2,651	49%

Hospices serving Chicago

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Illinois	Chicago, IL	1.3 mi	(312) 997-7200
Unity Hospice Of Chicagoland, LLC	Chicago, IL	2.8 mi	(312) 949-1188
Vital Care Hospice LLC	Evergreen Park, IL	8.0 mi	(773) 232-7200
Osf Hospice	Oak Lawn, IL	9.2 mi	(708) 229-4663
Sanctuary Hospice	Westchester, IL	10 mi	(312) 662-1009
Loving Care Hospice Inc.	Chicago, IL	11 mi	(773) 997-1993

Straight-line miles from the center of Chicago. 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 Chicago

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 41% of the $3,895 monthly median income of Chicago 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 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 Chicago: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Chicago?

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 41% of the $3,895 monthly median income of Chicago 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).

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 Chicago

More senior care near Chicago

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Chicago

More for Chicago 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 Chicago, IL