Hospice Support in Forest Lake, MN: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Forest Lake, MN: the local picture

22

Medicare-certified hospices serve Forest Lake ZIP codes

481

residents 85 or older (2.3% of all residents)

30%

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

25%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Washington County)

Medicare lists 22 hospices whose service area includes Forest Lake ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Suite Living Hospice, LLC in White Bear Lake (12 mi) and Lakeview Hospice in Oak Park Heights (14 mi).

1,023 Forest Lake residents 65 or older live alone (30% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Forest Lake compared with Washington County and Minnesota

Census figure	Forest Lake	Washington County	Minnesota
Residents 85 or older	2.3%	1.8%	2.1%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	26%	30%
Residents 65+ with a disability	25%	27%	28%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	3.5%	4.1%	5.4%
Residents 65 or older	17%	17%	17%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.9%	6.7%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$63,032	$75,658	—

Older residents in towns around Forest Lake

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Hugo, MN	6.0 mi	2,520	27%
Wyoming, MN	6.2 mi	1,169	28%
Scandia, MN	6.5 mi	1,102	14%
Columbus, MN	6.9 mi	842	15%
Centerville, MN	7.2 mi	603	22%
Chisago City, MN	8.7 mi	1,623	31%

Hospices serving Forest Lake

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Suite Living Hospice, LLC	White Bear Lake, MN	12 mi	(651) 964-1220
Lakeview Hospice	Oak Park Heights, MN	14 mi	(651) 430-3320
Ecumen Hospice	Shoreview, MN	15 mi	(651) 714-0200
St Croix Hospice	Oakdale, MN	18 mi	(651) 735-3656
Beyond Hospice	Oakdale, MN	18 mi	(651) 485-5095
Presbyterian Homes Hospice Inc	Roseville, MN	19 mi	(651) 631-6406

Straight-line miles from the center of Forest Lake. 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 Forest Lake

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,253 monthly median income of Forest Lake households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Forest Lake: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Forest Lake?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,253 monthly median income of Forest Lake households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Forest Lake

More senior care near Forest Lake

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Forest Lake

More for Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake, MN