Hospice Support in Oskaloosa, IA: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Oskaloosa, IA: the local picture

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Oskaloosa ZIP codes

306

residents 85 or older (2.7% of all residents)

26%

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

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Mahaska County)

Medicare lists 10 hospices whose service area includes Oskaloosa ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Services in Oskaloosa (0.2 mi) and Hospice Of Pella, The Comfort House in Pella (16 mi).

541 Oskaloosa residents 65 or older live alone (26% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Oskaloosa compared with Mahaska County and Iowa

Census figure	Oskaloosa	Mahaska County	Iowa
Residents 85 or older	2.7%	2.0%	2.3%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	26%	31%
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	34%	30%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	8.3%	7.6%	5.1%
Residents 65 or older	20%	19%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.0%	6.5%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,023	$50,470	—

Older residents in towns around Oskaloosa

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Pella, IA	16 mi	2,017	32%
Albia, IA	20 mi	812	43%
Ottumwa, IA	22 mi	4,107	31%
Knoxville, IA	24 mi	1,720	27%
Grinnell, IA	31 mi	2,034	31%
Newton, IA	35 mi	3,381	36%

Hospices serving Oskaloosa

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Services	Oskaloosa, IA	0.2 mi	(641) 672-3140
Hospice Of Pella, The Comfort House	Pella, IA	16 mi	(641) 628-6644
Care Initiatives Hospice - Albia	Albia, IA	20 mi	(641) 932-3488
Good Samaritan Society Home Care And Hospice	Ottumwa, IA	22 mi	(641) 684-9309
Everystep	Des Moines, IA	51 mi	(515) 274-3400
Essence Of Life Hospice	Amana, IA	54 mi	(319) 622-3195

Straight-line miles from the center of Oskaloosa. 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 Oskaloosa

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 36% of the $4,169 monthly median income of Oskaloosa 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 Oskaloosa: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Oskaloosa?

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 36% of the $4,169 monthly median income of Oskaloosa 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 Oskaloosa

More senior care near Oskaloosa

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Oskaloosa

More for Oskaloosa 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 Oskaloosa, IA