Respite Care in Dixon, IL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Dixon, IL: the local picture

2,967

residents 65 or older (20% of Dixon)

53%

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

40%

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

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Dixon ZIP codes

Most older adults in Dixon live with someone: 53% 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 971 Dixon residents aged 65 or older report a disability (40%) (32% in Lee County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 10 hospices serving Dixon ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Dixon compared with Lee County and Illinois

Census figure	Dixon	Lee County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	32%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	47%	32%	30%
Residents 65 or older	20%	21%	17%
Residents 85 or older	3.4%	2.9%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	15%	10%	10%
Households with no vehicle	11%	6.6%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$45,341	$54,111	—

Older residents in towns around Dixon

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Sterling, IL	12 mi	3,219	36%
Rock Falls, IL	12 mi	1,675	44%
Oregon, IL	14 mi	877	62%
Mount Morris, IL	14 mi	897	46%
Rochelle, IL	22 mi	1,474	44%
Byron, IL	22 mi	616	38%

Hospices serving Dixon

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Rock River Hospice And Home	Sterling, IL	12 mi	(815) 288-3673
Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice, Inc	Sterling, IL	12 mi	(815) 626-3467
Serenity Hospice And Home	Oregon, IL	13 mi	(815) 732-2499
Unity Hospice Of Western Illinois	Rochelle, IL	22 mi	(815) 561-8866
Fhn Hospice	Freeport, IL	33 mi	(815) 599-7240

Nursing homes near Dixon (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Heritage Square	Dixon, IL	0.7 mi	4 of 5	27	(815) 288-2251
Dixon Rehab & Hcc	Dixon, IL	0.8 mi	3 of 5	97	(815) 284-3393
Franklin Grove Living And Rehab	Franklin Grove, IL	9.0 mi	5 of 5	132	(815) 456-2374
La Bella Of Sterling	Sterling, IL	11 mi	2 of 5	70	(815) 626-0233

Straight-line miles from the center of Dixon. 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 Dixon

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 42% of the $3,778 monthly median income of Dixon 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 Dixon: common questions

Which hospices serve Dixon?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Dixon ZIP codes, including Rock River Hospice And Home, Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice, Inc, Serenity Hospice And Home.

How much does respite care cost in Dixon?

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 42% of the $3,778 monthly median income of Dixon 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 Dixon. 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 Dixon

More senior care near Dixon

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Dixon

More for Dixon 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 Dixon, IL