Hospice Support in University Place, WA: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in University Place, WA: the local picture

9

Medicare-certified hospices serve University Place ZIP codes

720

residents 85 or older (2.1% of all residents)

21%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (25% in Pierce County)

32%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Pierce County)

Medicare lists 9 hospices whose service area includes University Place ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Franciscan Hospice in University Place (0.9 mi) and Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Pierce County in Tacoma (3.1 mi).

1,402 University Place residents 65 or older live alone (21% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

University Place compared with Pierce County and Washington

Census figure	University Place	Pierce County	Washington
Residents 85 or older	2.1%	1.5%	1.8%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	21%	25%	26%
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	36%	33%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	7.0%	7.7%	7.1%
Residents 65 or older	19%	15%	17%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.1%	8.8%	8.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$82,456	$70,061	—

Older residents in towns around University Place

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Fircrest, WA	1.8 mi	1,314	24%
Lakewood, WA	3.7 mi	10,825	32%
Steilacoom, WA	3.8 mi	1,270	24%
Tacoma, WA	4.8 mi	33,418	30%
Wollochet, WA	4.9 mi	1,739	24%
Fox Island, WA	5.5 mi	937	13%

Hospices serving University Place

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Franciscan Hospice	University Place, WA	0.9 mi	(253) 534-7000
Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Pierce County	Tacoma, WA	3.1 mi	(517) 256-0946
Puget Sound Hospice	Tacoma, WA	3.1 mi	(253) 581-9410
Envision Hospice	Tacoma, WA	4.5 mi	(360) 350-4875
Multicare Hospice	Tacoma, WA	5.7 mi	(253) 301-6400
Wesley Homes Hospice, LLC	Kent, WA	17 mi	(206) 870-1127

Straight-line miles from the center of University Place. 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 University Place

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $6,871 monthly median income of University Place households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 University Place: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in University Place?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $6,871 monthly median income of University Place households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 University Place

More senior care near University Place

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in University Place

More for University Place 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 University Place, WA