Respite Care in Galena, IL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Galena, IL: the local picture

1,117

residents 65 or older (38% of Galena)

61%

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

19%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Jo Daviess County)

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve Galena ZIP codes

Most older adults in Galena live with someone: 61% 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 203 Galena residents aged 65 or older report a disability (19%) (28% in Jo Daviess County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 3 hospices serving Galena ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Galena compared with Jo Daviess County and Illinois

Census figure	Galena	Jo Daviess County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with a disability	19%	28%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	27%	30%
Residents 65 or older	38%	30%	17%
Residents 85 or older	3.8%	3.3%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.4%	5.4%	10%
Households with no vehicle	15%	7.0%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,299	$60,781	—

Older residents in towns around Galena

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Dubuque, IA	15 mi	12,258	27%
Asbury, IA	19 mi	887	13%
Platteville, WI	21 mi	1,286	33%
Savanna, IL	27 mi	680	45%
Maquoketa, IA	28 mi	1,336	36%
Lena, IL	31 mi	611	33%

Hospices serving Galena

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Dubuque	Dubuque, IA	17 mi	(563) 582-1220
Fhn Hospice	Freeport, IL	41 mi	(815) 599-7240
Osf Hospice	Loves Park, IL	72 mi	(815) 433-6090

Nursing homes near Galena (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Galena Stauss Nursing Home	Galena, IL	0.6 mi	3 of 5	57	(815) 776-7254
St Dominic Villa	Hazel Green, WI	9.0 mi	2 of 5	62	(608) 748-9814
Mill Valley Care Center	Bellevue, IA	11 mi	5 of 5	46	(563) 872-5521
Mount Carmel Bluffs	Dubuque, IA	12 mi	5 of 5	60	(563) 556-5474

Straight-line miles from the center of Galena. 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 Galena

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 38% of the $4,192 monthly median income of Galena 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 Galena: common questions

Which hospices serve Galena?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for Galena ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Dubuque, Fhn Hospice, Osf Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Galena?

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 38% of the $4,192 monthly median income of Galena 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 Galena. 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 Galena

More senior care near Galena

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Galena

More for Galena 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 Galena, IL