Hospice Support in Topeka, KS: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Topeka, KS: the local picture

20

Medicare-certified hospices serve Topeka ZIP codes

3,097

residents 85 or older (2.5% of all residents)

42%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (34% in Shawnee County)

35%

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

Medicare lists 20 hospices whose service area includes Topeka ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Interim Health Care Of Topeka in Topeka (1.2 mi) and Midland Care Hospice in Topeka (1.8 mi).

9,208 Topeka residents 65 or older live alone (42% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Topeka compared with Shawnee County and Kansas

Census figure	Topeka	Shawnee County	Kansas
Residents 85 or older	2.5%	2.2%	2.0%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	42%	34%	30%
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	32%	33%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	6.4%	6.1%	5.6%
Residents 65 or older	18%	19%	17%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	10%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$46,409	$56,357	—

Older residents in towns around Topeka

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
St. Marys, KS	23 mi	342	15%
Lawrence, KS	24 mi	12,171	30%
Osage City, KS	28 mi	537	57%
Holton, KS	30 mi	667	52%
Baldwin City, KS	33 mi	626	41%
Eudora, KS	33 mi	677	38%

Hospices serving Topeka

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Interim Health Care Of Topeka	Topeka, KS	1.2 mi	(785) 272-1616
Midland Care Hospice	Topeka, KS	1.8 mi	(785) 232-2044
Gentiva	Topeka, KS	1.8 mi	(785) 246-6520
St Croix Hospice	Topeka, KS	3.0 mi	(785) 256-9632
Elara Caring	Topeka, KS	4.5 mi	(785) 228-0400
Hospice Of Jefferson County	Oskaloosa, KS	24 mi	(785) 403-0025

Straight-line miles from the center of Topeka. 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 Topeka

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $3,867 monthly median income of Topeka households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas'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 Topeka: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Topeka?

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $3,867 monthly median income of Topeka households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas'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 Topeka

More senior care near Topeka

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Topeka

More for Topeka 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 Topeka, KS