Hospice Support in Galax, VA: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Galax, VA: the local picture

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Galax ZIP codes

212

residents 85 or older (3.2% of all residents)

47%

of residents 65+ in households live alone

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability

Medicare lists 6 hospices whose service area includes Galax ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care in Galax (0.6 mi) and Wythe Hospice Of Swva in Wytheville (22 mi).

584 Galax residents 65 or older live alone (47% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Galax compared with Virginia

Census figure	Galax	Virginia
Residents 85 or older	3.2%	1.7%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	47%	27%
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	31%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	5.6%	6.7%
Residents 65 or older	21%	17%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	22%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$29,440	—

Older residents in towns around Galax

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Hillsville, VA	12 mi	630	27%
Mount Airy, NC	20 mi	2,720	47%
Wytheville, VA	22 mi	1,952	34%
Pulaski, VA	28 mi	1,600	43%
Elkin, NC	28 mi	902	38%
Jonesville, NC	30 mi	729	63%

Hospices serving Galax

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care	Galax, VA	0.6 mi	(276) 728-1030
Wythe Hospice Of Swva	Wytheville, VA	22 mi	(276) 228-1710
Gentiva Ii	Wytheville, VA	22 mi	(540) 366-0927
Medi Home Health And Hospice - Pulaski	Pulaski, VA	28 mi	(540) 980-0478
Medi Home Health And Hospice	Boone, NC	52 mi	(828) 265-3926
Acg Hospice	Chesapeake, VA	259 mi	(757) 664-9650

Straight-line miles from the center of Galax. 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 Galax

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 51% of the $2,453 monthly median income of Galax households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus.

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 Galax: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Galax?

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 51% of the $2,453 monthly median income of Galax households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Galax

More senior care near Galax

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Galax

More for Galax 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 Galax, VA