Hospice Support in Milton-Freewater, OR: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Milton-Freewater, OR: the local picture

1

Medicare-certified hospices serve Milton-Freewater ZIP codes

113

residents 85 or older (1.6% of all residents)

19%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (26% in Umatilla County)

27%

of residents 65+ report a disability (42% in Umatilla County)

Medicare lists 1 hospice whose service area includes Milton-Freewater ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Walla Walla Community Hospice in Walla Walla (9.3 mi).

216 Milton-Freewater residents 65 or older live alone (19% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Milton-Freewater compared with Umatilla County and Oregon

Census figure	Milton-Freewater	Umatilla County	Oregon
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	1.8%	2.1%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	19%	26%	27%
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	42%	34%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	4.0%	8.8%	7.2%
Residents 65 or older	16%	16%	19%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	19%	9.5%	9.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$34,598	$51,702	—

Older residents in towns around Milton-Freewater

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
College Place, WA	7.4 mi	2,083	25%
Walla Walla, WA	9.5 mi	6,410	38%
Pendleton, OR	27 mi	3,024	36%
Dayton, WA	33 mi	683	26%
Burbank, WA	34 mi	446	30%
Finley, WA	35 mi	1,115	3.9%

Hospices serving Milton-Freewater

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Walla Walla Community Hospice	Walla Walla, WA	9.3 mi	(509) 525-5561

Straight-line miles from the center of Milton-Freewater. 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 Milton-Freewater

At the Oregon median aide wage of $21.35 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,850 a month in wages, which is 64% of the $2,883 monthly median income of Milton-Freewater households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Oregon's minimum wage is $16.80 in the Portland metro area, $15.55 in the standard state rate, $14.55 in non-urban counties (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 Milton-Freewater: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Milton-Freewater?

At the Oregon median aide wage of $21.35 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,850 a month in wages, which is 64% of the $2,883 monthly median income of Milton-Freewater households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Oregon's minimum wage is $16.80 in the Portland metro area, $15.55 in the standard state rate, $14.55 in non-urban counties (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 Milton-Freewater

More senior care near Milton-Freewater

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Milton-Freewater

More for Milton-Freewater 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 Milton-Freewater, OR