Respite Care in Alton, IL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Alton, IL: the local picture

4,354

residents 65 or older (17% of Alton)

56%

of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver

44%

of residents 65+ report a disability (35% in Madison County)

13

Medicare-certified hospices serve Alton ZIP codes

Most older adults in Alton live with someone: 56% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 1,832 Alton residents aged 65 or older report a disability (44%) (35% in Madison County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 13 hospices serving Alton ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Alton compared with Madison County and Illinois

Census figure	Alton	Madison County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with a disability	44%	35%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	44%	32%	30%
Residents 65 or older	17%	19%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.3%	2.1%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	16%	9.0%	10%
Households with no vehicle	10%	5.7%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$37,027	$57,096	—

Older residents in towns around Alton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
East Alton, IL	2.7 mi	890	30%
Rosewood Heights, IL	4.3 mi	1,068	43%
Wood River, IL	4.9 mi	1,691	46%
Godfrey, IL	5.1 mi	4,551	33%
Bethalto, IL	5.7 mi	2,119	28%
Spanish Lake, MO	8.5 mi	2,122	50%

Hospices serving Alton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Osf Saint Anthony's Hospice	Alton, IL	0.4 mi	(618) 463-5683
Bjc Hospice	Glen Carbon, IL	14 mi	(618) 463-7100
Unity Hospice Of Greater St Louis	Collinsville, IL	18 mi	(618) 346-1111
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Midwest	Fairview Heights, IL	23 mi	(618) 622-9073
Heartland Hospice (Fairview Heights)	Fairview Heights, IL	23 mi	(618) 632-0304

Nursing homes near Alton (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Alton Memorial Rehab & Therapy	Alton, IL	0.4 mi	3 of 5	64	(618) 463-7330
La Bella Of Alton	Alton, IL	1.5 mi	1 of 5	180	(618) 465-2626
Nexus At Alton	Alton, IL	1.6 mi	1 of 5	181	(618) 465-8887
Bria Of Woodriver	Wood River, IL	4.1 mi	1 of 5	106	(618) 259-4111

Straight-line miles from the center of Alton. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a respite caregiver can help with

Taking over the usual routine while you are away
Meals, medication reminders and personal care
Company and activities
Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip

Cost

What respite care costs in Alton

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 51% of the $3,086 monthly median income of Alton 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 respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Respite Care in Alton: common questions

Which hospices serve Alton?

Medicare lists 13 hospices for Alton ZIP codes, including Osf Saint Anthony's Hospice, Bjc Hospice, Unity Hospice Of Greater St Louis.

How much does respite care cost in Alton?

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 51% of the $3,086 monthly median income of Alton 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).

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve Alton. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers Illinois.

More near Alton

More senior care near Alton

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Alton

More for Alton 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.

Respite Care in Alton, IL