Hospice Support in Pierre, SD: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Pierre, SD: the local picture

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Pierre ZIP codes

323

residents 85 or older (2.3% of all residents)

37%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (35% in Hughes County)

22%

of residents 65+ report a disability (23% in Hughes County)

Medicare lists 5 hospices whose service area includes Pierre ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Avera @ Home in Pierre (0.4 mi) and Stillwater Hospice Of South Dakota in Rapid City (153 mi).

873 Pierre residents 65 or older live alone (37% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Pierre compared with Hughes County and South Dakota

Census figure	Pierre	Hughes County	South Dakota
Residents 85 or older	2.3%	2.2%	2.1%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	35%	30%
Residents 65+ with a disability	22%	23%	31%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	1.8%	2.3%	5.4%
Residents 65 or older	18%	18%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.7%	10.0%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$48,900	$50,137	—

Hospices serving Pierre

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Avera @ Home	Pierre, SD	0.4 mi	(605) 224-3218
Stillwater Hospice Of South Dakota	Rapid City, SD	153 mi	(605) 745-4967
Prairie Lakes Hospice	Watertown, SD	161 mi	(605) 882-7745
Avera @ Home	Yankton, SD	179 mi	(605) 668-8327
Avera @ Home	Sioux Falls, SD	190 mi	(605) 322-7705

Straight-line miles from the center of Pierre. 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 Pierre

At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $4,075 monthly median income of Pierre households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Pierre: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Pierre?

At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $4,075 monthly median income of Pierre households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Pierre

More senior care near Pierre

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Hospice Support in Chamberlain, SD

Other care in Pierre

More for Pierre 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 Pierre, SD