Hospice Support in Cortez, CO: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Cortez, CO: the local picture

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve Cortez ZIP codes

305

residents 85 or older (3.4% of all residents)

38%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (29% in Montezuma County)

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Montezuma County)

Medicare lists 3 hospices whose service area includes Cortez ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Hospice Of Montezuma Inc in Cortez (0.5 mi) and Pasco/Sw Hospice in Cortez (0.5 mi).

650 Cortez residents 65 or older live alone (38% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Cortez compared with Montezuma County and Colorado

Census figure	Cortez	Montezuma County	Colorado
Residents 85 or older	3.4%	2.4%	1.6%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	29%	28%
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	31%	30%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	14%	6.4%	5.1%
Residents 65 or older	20%	25%	16%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	13%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$44,828	$53,192	—

Older residents in towns around Cortez

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Durango, CO	39 mi	3,232	34%
Shiprock, NM	39 mi	914	15%
Flora Vista, NM	46 mi	401	9.7%
Farmington, NM	47 mi	7,670	26%
Crouch Mesa, NM	50 mi	424	21%
Aztec, NM	50 mi	1,000	37%

Hospices serving Cortez

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Montezuma Inc	Cortez, CO	0.5 mi	(970) 565-4400
Pasco/Sw Hospice	Cortez, CO	0.5 mi	(970) 565-6833
Hospice Mercy	Durango, CO	40 mi	(970) 382-2000

Straight-line miles from the center of Cortez. 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 Cortez

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,736 monthly median income of Cortez households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 Cortez: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Cortez?

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,736 monthly median income of Cortez households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 Cortez

More senior care near Cortez

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Cortez

More for Cortez 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 Cortez, CO