Hospice Support in Elk Point, SD: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Elk Point, SD: the local picture

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Elk Point ZIP codes

144

residents 85 or older (5.7% of all residents)

37%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (26% in Union County)

44%

of residents 65+ report a disability (24% in Union County)

Medicare lists 5 hospices whose service area includes Elk Point ZIP codes, the nearest offices being St. Croix Hospice in South Sioux City (20 mi) and Care Initiatives Hospice - Sioux City in Sioux City (22 mi).

159 Elk Point residents 65 or older live alone (37% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Elk Point compared with Union County and South Dakota

Census figure	Elk Point	Union County	South Dakota
Residents 85 or older	5.7%	2.1%	2.1%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	26%	30%
Residents 65+ with a disability	44%	24%	31%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	11%	3.0%	5.4%
Residents 65 or older	18%	19%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.5%	12%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,868	$53,750	—

Older residents in towns around Elk Point

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
North Sioux City, SD	14 mi	640	39%
Vermillion, SD	14 mi	1,136	31%
Dakota Dunes, SD	17 mi	756	7.5%
Sioux City, IA	20 mi	12,804	36%
South Sioux City, NE	20 mi	1,535	25%
Dakota City, NE	22 mi	295	11%

Hospices serving Elk Point

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
St. Croix Hospice	South Sioux City, NE	20 mi	(402) 252-5132
Care Initiatives Hospice - Sioux City	Sioux City, IA	22 mi	(712) 239-1226
St Croix Hospice	Sioux Falls, SD	55 mi	(605) 800-4050
Aseracare Hospice	Sioux Falls, SD	58 mi	(605) 338-2066
St Croix Hospice	Spirit Lake, IA	94 mi	(712) 264-5674

Straight-line miles from the center of Elk Point. 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 Elk Point

At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $4,239 monthly median income of Elk Point households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Elk Point: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Elk Point?

At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $4,239 monthly median income of Elk Point households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Elk Point

More senior care near Elk Point

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Elk Point

More for Elk Point 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 Elk Point, SD