Hospice Support in Galena, IL: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Galena, IL: the local picture

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve Galena ZIP codes

111

residents 85 or older (3.8% of all residents)

39%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (27% in Jo Daviess County)

19%

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

Medicare lists 3 hospices whose service area includes Galena ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Hospice Of Dubuque in Dubuque (17 mi) and Fhn Hospice in Freeport (41 mi).

412 Galena residents 65 or older live alone (39% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Galena compared with Jo Daviess County and Illinois

Census figure	Galena	Jo Daviess County	Illinois
Residents 85 or older	3.8%	3.3%	2.0%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	27%	30%
Residents 65+ with a disability	19%	28%	32%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	4.3%	5.0%	6.9%
Residents 65 or older	38%	30%	17%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.4%	5.4%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,299	$60,781	—

Older residents in towns around Galena

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Dubuque, IA	15 mi	12,258	33%
Asbury, IA	19 mi	887	22%
Platteville, WI	21 mi	1,286	40%
Savanna, IL	27 mi	680	59%
Maquoketa, IA	28 mi	1,336	33%
Lena, IL	31 mi	611	36%

Hospices serving Galena

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Dubuque	Dubuque, IA	17 mi	(563) 582-1220
Fhn Hospice	Freeport, IL	41 mi	(815) 599-7240
Osf Hospice	Loves Park, IL	72 mi	(815) 433-6090

Straight-line miles from the center of Galena. 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 Galena

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $4,192 monthly median income of Galena households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Galena: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Galena?

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $4,192 monthly median income of Galena households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Galena

More senior care near Galena

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Galena

More for Galena 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 Galena, IL