Hospice Support in Fort Dodge, IA: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Fort Dodge, IA: the local picture

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve Fort Dodge ZIP codes

723

residents 85 or older (2.9% of all residents)

45%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (40% in Webster County)

28%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Webster County)

Medicare lists 11 hospices whose service area includes Fort Dodge ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Unitypoint Hospice in Fort Dodge (0.3 mi) and Hospice Of The Heartland in Algona (39 mi).

1,889 Fort Dodge residents 65 or older live alone (45% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Fort Dodge compared with Webster County and Iowa

Census figure	Fort Dodge	Webster County	Iowa
Residents 85 or older	2.9%	2.8%	2.3%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	45%	40%	31%
Residents 65+ with a disability	28%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	5.9%	5.1%	5.1%
Residents 65 or older	19%	20%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	9.6%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,944	$44,701	—

Older residents in towns around Fort Dodge

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Humboldt, IA	15 mi	1,089	24%
Eagle Grove, IA	18 mi	653	35%
Webster City, IA	19 mi	1,463	57%
Clarion, IA	27 mi	539	48%
Boone, IA	35 mi	2,272	40%
Jefferson, IA	36 mi	1,307	37%

Hospices serving Fort Dodge

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Unitypoint Hospice	Fort Dodge, IA	0.3 mi	(515) 574-6420
Hospice Of The Heartland	Algona, IA	39 mi	(515) 295-4430
Mary Greeley Hospice Services	Ames, IA	40 mi	(515) 239-2011
Heartland Hospice (West Des Moines)	Ames, IA	44 mi	(515) 346-3321
Gentiva	Carroll, IA	47 mi	(712) 792-2191
Hospice Of Palo Alto County	Emmetsburg, IA	49 mi	(712) 852-5419

Straight-line miles from the center of Fort Dodge. 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 Fort Dodge

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 41% of the $3,662 monthly median income of Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Fort Dodge?

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 41% of the $3,662 monthly median income of Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge

More senior care near Fort Dodge

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Fort Dodge

More for Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge, IA