Hospice Support in Independence, IA: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Independence, IA: the local picture

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Independence ZIP codes

159

residents 85 or older (2.6% of all residents)

44%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (33% in Buchanan County)

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Buchanan County)

Medicare lists 6 hospices whose service area includes Independence ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Unitypoint Hospice in Waterloo (22 mi) and Cedar Valley Hospice in Waterloo (24 mi).

527 Independence residents 65 or older live alone (44% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Independence compared with Buchanan County and Iowa

Census figure	Independence	Buchanan County	Iowa
Residents 85 or older	2.6%	2.0%	2.3%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	44%	33%	31%
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	31%	30%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	3.3%	3.0%	5.1%
Residents 65 or older	21%	19%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.0%	7.4%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$45,813	$48,094	—

Older residents in towns around Independence

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Jesup, IA	8.3 mi	368	32%
Oelwein, IA	14 mi	1,348	38%
Evansdale, IA	19 mi	998	42%
Center Point, IA	20 mi	356	40%
Vinton, IA	22 mi	1,156	51%
Manchester, IA	23 mi	1,331	31%

Hospices serving Independence

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Unitypoint Hospice	Waterloo, IA	22 mi	(319) 235-5027
Cedar Valley Hospice	Waterloo, IA	24 mi	(319) 272-2002
St Croix Hospice	Strawberry Point, IA	24 mi	(563) 933-2070
Care Initiatives Hospice - Cedar Falls	Cedar Falls, IA	28 mi	(319) 232-6148
Hospice Of Mercy	Hiawatha, IA	31 mi	(319) 398-6496
Hospice Compassus - Northeast Iowa	Cedar Rapids, IA	37 mi	(319) 362-2500

Straight-line miles from the center of Independence. 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 Independence

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 39% of the $3,818 monthly median income of Independence 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 Independence: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Independence?

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 39% of the $3,818 monthly median income of Independence 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 Independence

More senior care near Independence

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Independence

More for Independence 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 Independence, IA