Respite Care in Freeport, IL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Freeport, IL: the local picture

5,652

residents 65 or older (24% of Freeport)

62%

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

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Stephenson County)

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve Freeport ZIP codes

Most older adults in Freeport live with someone: 62% 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 1,888 Freeport residents aged 65 or older report a disability (36%) (31% in Stephenson County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 11 hospices serving Freeport ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Freeport compared with Stephenson County and Illinois

Census figure	Freeport	Stephenson County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	31%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	29%	30%
Residents 65 or older	24%	24%	17%
Residents 85 or older	4.8%	3.8%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	8.4%	10%
Households with no vehicle	11%	7.9%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$44,970	$58,197	—

Older residents in towns around Freeport

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Lena, IL	11 mi	611	33%
Mount Morris, IL	20 mi	897	46%
Winnebago, IL	21 mi	650	46%
Monroe, WI	22 mi	2,429	27%
Byron, IL	22 mi	616	38%
Oregon, IL	24 mi	877	62%

Hospices serving Freeport

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Fhn Hospice	Freeport, IL	0.7 mi	(815) 599-7240
Ssm Health At Home Monroe	Monroe, WI	21 mi	(608) 324-1230
Serenity Hospice And Home	Oregon, IL	24 mi	(815) 732-2499
Vna Hospice	Rockford, IL	28 mi	(815) 971-3550
St Croix Hospice	Rockford, IL	31 mi	(815) 316-2700

Nursing homes near Freeport (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
The Citadel At Saint Joseph Village	Freeport, IL	1.4 mi	1 of 5	124	(815) 232-6181
Pearl Pointe Nursing Rehab & Care	Freeport, IL	1.9 mi	1 of 5	109	(815) 235-6196
Stephenson Nursing Center	Freeport, IL	2.1 mi	3 of 5	148	(815) 235-6173
Manor Court Of Freeport	Freeport, IL	4.3 mi	2 of 5	117	(815) 233-2400

Straight-line miles from the center of Freeport. 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 Freeport

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 $3,748 monthly median income of Freeport 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 Freeport: common questions

Which hospices serve Freeport?

Medicare lists 11 hospices for Freeport ZIP codes, including Fhn Hospice, Ssm Health At Home Monroe, Serenity Hospice And Home.

How much does respite care cost in Freeport?

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 $3,748 monthly median income of Freeport 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 Freeport. 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 Freeport

More senior care near Freeport

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Freeport

More for Freeport 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 Freeport, IL