Respite Care in Forsyth, IL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Forsyth, IL: the local picture

678

residents 65 or older (19% of Forsyth)

70%

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

34%

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

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Forsyth ZIP codes

Most older adults in Forsyth live with someone: 70% 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 215 Forsyth residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (35% in Macon County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 8 hospices serving Forsyth ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Forsyth compared with Macon County and Illinois

Census figure	Forsyth	Macon County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	35%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	35%	30%
Residents 65 or older	19%	21%	17%
Residents 85 or older	4.4%	3.0%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	3.1%	9.0%	10%
Households with no vehicle	3.7%	9.5%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$58,875	$48,907	—

Older residents in towns around Forsyth

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Decatur, IL	5.1 mi	14,840	37%
Mount Zion, IL	11 mi	1,109	27%
Clinton, IL	15 mi	1,291	34%
Monticello, IL	22 mi	1,384	35%
Lincoln, IL	27 mi	2,945	34%
Heyworth, IL	27 mi	371	26%

Hospices serving Forsyth

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Care Of Illinois	Springfield, IL	36 mi	(217) 788-4663
Enhabit Hospice	Springfield, IL	37 mi	(447) 442-1237
Transitions Hospice Central Illinois LLC	Champaign, IL	39 mi	(217) 212-9121
Elara Caring Vii	Springfield, IL	40 mi	(217) 210-8457
Moments Hospice Of Springfield LLC	Springfield, IL	40 mi	(877) 666-3687

Nursing homes near Forsyth (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Arc At Hickory Point	Forsyth, IL	0.3 mi	1 of 5	64	(217) 872-1122
Loft Rehab Of Decatur	Decatur, IL	3.9 mi	1 of 5	150	(217) 875-0020
Loft Rehab Of Rock Springs, The	Decatur, IL	3.9 mi	1 of 5	195	(217) 875-0920
Decatur Rehab & Health Care CT	Decatur, IL	6.1 mi	1 of 5	58	(217) 428-7767

Straight-line miles from the center of Forsyth. 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 Forsyth

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 32% of the $4,906 monthly median income of Forsyth 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 Forsyth: common questions

Which hospices serve Forsyth?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Forsyth ZIP codes, including Hospice Care Of Illinois, Enhabit Hospice, Transitions Hospice Central Illinois LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Forsyth?

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 32% of the $4,906 monthly median income of Forsyth 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 Forsyth. 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 Forsyth

More senior care near Forsyth

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Forsyth

More for Forsyth 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 Forsyth, IL