Hospice Support in Marengo, IL: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Marengo, IL: the local picture

19

Medicare-certified hospices serve Marengo ZIP codes

149

residents 85 or older (2.1% of all residents)

46%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (25% in McHenry County)

50%

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

Medicare lists 19 hospices whose service area includes Marengo ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Northern Illinois Hospice in Rockford (22 mi) and Heartland Hospice (Rockford) in Rockford (22 mi).

530 Marengo residents 65 or older live alone (46% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Marengo compared with McHenry County and Illinois

Census figure	Marengo	McHenry County	Illinois
Residents 85 or older	2.1%	1.6%	2.0%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	46%	25%	30%
Residents 65+ with a disability	50%	28%	32%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	10%	5.4%	6.9%
Residents 65 or older	17%	16%	17%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	16%	6.0%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$33,981	$70,816	—

Older residents in towns around Marengo

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Woodstock, IL	9.4 mi	4,255	34%
Huntley, IL	10 mi	9,536	36%
Hampshire, IL	10 mi	865	24%
Lakewood, IL	11 mi	575	11%
Genoa, IL	12 mi	769	18%
Harvard, IL	13 mi	1,051	24%

Hospices serving Marengo

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Northern Illinois Hospice	Rockford, IL	22 mi	(815) 398-0500
Heartland Hospice (Rockford)	Rockford, IL	22 mi	(815) 397-3691
St Croix Hospice	Rockford, IL	23 mi	(815) 316-2700
Osf Hospice	Loves Park, IL	23 mi	(815) 433-6090
Journeycare - Barrington	Barrington, IL	24 mi	(847) 381-5599
Vna Hospice	Rockford, IL	25 mi	(815) 971-3550

Straight-line miles from the center of Marengo. 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 Marengo

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 56% of the $2,832 monthly median income of Marengo 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 Marengo: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Marengo?

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 56% of the $2,832 monthly median income of Marengo 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 Marengo

More senior care near Marengo

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Marengo

More for Marengo 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 Marengo, IL