Hospice Support in Oelwein, IA: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Oelwein, IA: the local picture

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Oelwein ZIP codes

176

residents 85 or older (3.0% of all residents)

38%

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

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Fayette County)

Medicare lists 6 hospices whose service area includes Oelwein ZIP codes, the nearest offices being St Croix Hospice in Strawberry Point (19 mi) and Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hosp And Clinics-Hospice in West Union (19 mi).

468 Oelwein residents 65 or older live alone (38% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Oelwein compared with Fayette County and Iowa

Census figure	Oelwein	Fayette County	Iowa
Residents 85 or older	3.0%	3.1%	2.3%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	33%	31%
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	5.5%	6.1%	5.1%
Residents 65 or older	23%	23%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.4%	9.0%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$37,656	$45,738	—

Older residents in towns around Oelwein

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Independence, IA	14 mi	1,287	44%
Jesup, IA	16 mi	368	32%
Evansdale, IA	23 mi	998	42%
Waterloo, IA	26 mi	11,387	35%
Manchester, IA	27 mi	1,331	31%
Waverly, IA	28 mi	1,954	30%

Hospices serving Oelwein

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
St Croix Hospice	Strawberry Point, IA	19 mi	(563) 933-2070
Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hosp And Clinics-Hospice	West Union, IA	19 mi	(563) 422-6267
Unitypoint Hospice	Waterloo, IA	24 mi	(319) 235-5027
Cedar Valley Hospice	Waterloo, IA	27 mi	(319) 272-2002
Care Initiatives Hospice - Cedar Falls	Cedar Falls, IA	29 mi	(319) 232-6148
Hospice Compassus - Northeast Iowa	Cedar Rapids, IA	51 mi	(319) 362-2500

Straight-line miles from the center of Oelwein. 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 Oelwein

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 48% of the $3,138 monthly median income of Oelwein 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 Oelwein: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Oelwein?

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 48% of the $3,138 monthly median income of Oelwein 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 Oelwein

More senior care near Oelwein

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Oelwein

More for Oelwein 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 Oelwein, IA