Respite Care in Chicago, IL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Chicago, IL: the local picture

374,665

residents 65 or older (14% of Chicago)

64%

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

36%

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

86

Medicare-certified hospices serve Chicago ZIP codes

Most older adults in Chicago live with someone: 64% 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 130,441 Chicago residents aged 65 or older report a disability (36%) (32% in Cook County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 86 hospices serving Chicago ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Chicago compared with Cook County and Illinois

Census figure	Chicago	Cook County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	32%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	32%	30%
Residents 65 or older	14%	16%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	2.0%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	18%	13%	10%
Households with no vehicle	27%	18%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$46,743	$56,774	—

Older residents in towns around Chicago

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Cicero, IL	3.9 mi	9,138	27%
Stickney, IL	4.8 mi	1,152	15%
Berwyn, IL	5.5 mi	7,625	24%
Oak Park, IL	6.4 mi	9,454	29%
Riverside, IL	6.8 mi	1,784	19%
Forest Park, IL	7.1 mi	2,651	32%

Hospices serving Chicago

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Illinois	Chicago, IL	1.3 mi	(312) 997-7200
Unity Hospice Of Chicagoland, LLC	Chicago, IL	2.8 mi	(312) 949-1188
Vital Care Hospice LLC	Evergreen Park, IL	8.0 mi	(773) 232-7200
Osf Hospice	Oak Lawn, IL	9.2 mi	(708) 229-4663
Sanctuary Hospice	Westchester, IL	10 mi	(312) 662-1009

Nursing homes near Chicago (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
California Terrace	Chicago, IL	0.5 mi	1 of 5	297	(773) 847-8061
Little Village Nrsg & Rhb Ctr	Chicago, IL	1.9 mi	1 of 5	106	(773) 522-0400
Aperion Care International	Chicago, IL	2.1 mi	1 of 5	218	(773) 927-4200
Kensington Place Nrsg & Rehab	Chicago, IL	3.2 mi	1 of 5	155	(312) 791-0035

Straight-line miles from the center of Chicago. 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 Chicago

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 41% of the $3,895 monthly median income of Chicago 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 Chicago: common questions

Which hospices serve Chicago?

Medicare lists 86 hospices for Chicago ZIP codes, including Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Illinois, Unity Hospice Of Chicagoland, LLC, Vital Care Hospice LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Chicago?

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 41% of the $3,895 monthly median income of Chicago 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 Chicago. 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 Chicago

More senior care near Chicago

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Chicago

More for Chicago 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 Chicago, IL