Hospice Support in Winnebago, IL: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Winnebago, IL: the local picture

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Winnebago ZIP codes

30

residents 85 or older (1.0% of all residents)

22%

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

46%

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

Medicare lists 10 hospices whose service area includes Winnebago ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Vna Hospice in Rockford (8.1 mi) and Heartland Hospice (Rockford) in Rockford (11 mi).

140 Winnebago residents 65 or older live alone (22% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Winnebago compared with Winnebago County and Illinois

Census figure	Winnebago	Winnebago County	Illinois
Residents 85 or older	1.0%	2.4%	2.0%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	22%	33%	30%
Residents 65+ with a disability	46%	36%	32%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	11%	7.8%	6.9%
Residents 65 or older	22%	19%	17%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.0%	9.9%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$67,269	$51,112	—

Older residents in towns around Winnebago

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Rockford, IL	8.7 mi	26,200	37%
Byron, IL	10 mi	616	59%
Machesney Park, IL	13 mi	3,935	24%
Davis Junction, IL	13 mi	166	11%
Loves Park, IL	13 mi	4,350	42%
Cherry Valley, IL	13 mi	766	27%

Hospices serving Winnebago

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Vna Hospice	Rockford, IL	8.1 mi	(815) 971-3550
Heartland Hospice (Rockford)	Rockford, IL	11 mi	(815) 397-3691
Northern Illinois Hospice	Rockford, IL	11 mi	(815) 398-0500
Osf Hospice	Loves Park, IL	11 mi	(815) 433-6090
Serenity Hospice And Home	Oregon, IL	19 mi	(815) 732-2499
Fhn Hospice	Freeport, IL	21 mi	(815) 599-7240

Straight-line miles from the center of Winnebago. 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 Winnebago

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,606 monthly median income of Winnebago households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Winnebago: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Winnebago?

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,606 monthly median income of Winnebago households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Winnebago

More senior care near Winnebago

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Winnebago

More for Winnebago 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 Winnebago, IL