Hospice Support in Kearney, NE: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Kearney, NE: the local picture

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Kearney ZIP codes

737

residents 85 or older (2.2% of all residents)

39%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (34% in Buffalo County)

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Buffalo County)

Medicare lists 10 hospices whose service area includes Kearney ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Aseracare Hospice in Kearney (0.9 mi) and Brookestone Home Health & Hospice in Kearney (4.2 mi).

2,059 Kearney 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.

Kearney compared with Buffalo County and Nebraska

Census figure	Kearney	Buffalo County	Nebraska
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	2.1%	2.0%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	34%	31%
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	30%	32%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	6.0%	5.8%	5.2%
Residents 65 or older	16%	17%	17%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	9.5%	9.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,813	$54,043	—

Older residents in towns around Kearney

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Minden, NE	15 mi	681	33%
Holdrege, NE	24 mi	1,208	38%
Lexington, NE	35 mi	1,013	35%
Hastings, NE	37 mi	4,646	35%
Grand Island, NE	41 mi	7,806	35%
St. Paul, NE	48 mi	697	33%

Hospices serving Kearney

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Aseracare Hospice	Kearney, NE	0.9 mi	(308) 698-0580
Brookestone Home Health & Hospice	Kearney, NE	4.2 mi	(308) 995-4375
Central Plains Hospice	Cozad, NE	49 mi	(308) 784-4630
Aseracare Hospice	York, NE	79 mi	(308) 624-3939
Hospice Of Columbus Community Hospital	Columbus, NE	103 mi	(402) 562-3300
Aseracare Hospice	Norfolk, NE	126 mi	(402) 379-4158

Straight-line miles from the center of Kearney. 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 Kearney

At the Nebraska median aide wage of $17.38 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,506 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $4,234 monthly median income of Kearney households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Nebraska'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 Kearney: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Kearney?

At the Nebraska median aide wage of $17.38 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,506 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $4,234 monthly median income of Kearney households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Nebraska'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 Kearney

More senior care near Kearney

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Kearney

More for Kearney 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 Kearney, NE