Respite Care in McHenry, IL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in McHenry, IL: the local picture

5,406

residents 65 or older (19% of McHenry)

67%

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

32%

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

31

Medicare-certified hospices serve McHenry ZIP codes

Most older adults in McHenry live with someone: 67% 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 1,667 McHenry residents aged 65 or older report a disability (32%) (28% in McHenry County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 31 hospices serving McHenry ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

McHenry compared with McHenry County and Illinois

Census figure	McHenry	McHenry County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	28%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	25%	30%
Residents 65 or older	19%	16%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.9%	1.6%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	3.9%	6.0%	10%
Households with no vehicle	6.5%	3.5%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$54,650	$70,816	—

Older residents in towns around McHenry

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Johnsburg, IL	4.0 mi	1,496	31%
Wonder Lake, IL	4.4 mi	578	21%
Lakemoor, IL	4.5 mi	630	27%
Island Lake, IL	6.1 mi	1,111	25%
Pistakee Highlands, IL	6.2 mi	458	23%
Volo, IL	6.8 mi	795	20%

Hospices serving McHenry

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Journeycare - Barrington	Barrington, IL	14 mi	(847) 381-5599
Star Hospice	Gurnee, IL	18 mi	(847) 672-9225
Integrated Palliative And Hospice LLC	Libertyville, IL	18 mi	(847) 549-0588
Lifechoice Hospice And Palliative Care	Palatine, IL	19 mi	(847) 777-8888
Heartland Hospice (Northbrook)	Buffalo Grove, IL	21 mi	(847) 272-7338

Nursing homes near McHenry (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Alden Terrace Of Mchenry Rehab	Mchenry, IL	0.3 mi	1 of 5	316	(815) 344-2600
Ignite Medical Mchenry	Mchenry, IL	1.1 mi	3 of 5	84	(815) 900-2500
Pearl Of Crystal Lake, The	Crystal Lake, IL	4.7 mi	5 of 5	97	(815) 477-6569
Fair Oaks Health Care Center	Crystal Lake, IL	6.6 mi	3 of 5	51	(815) 455-0550

Straight-line miles from the center of McHenry. 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 McHenry

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 35% of the $4,554 monthly median income of McHenry 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 McHenry: common questions

Which hospices serve McHenry?

Medicare lists 31 hospices for McHenry ZIP codes, including Journeycare - Barrington, Star Hospice, Integrated Palliative And Hospice LLC.

How much does respite care cost in McHenry?

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 35% of the $4,554 monthly median income of McHenry 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 McHenry. 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 McHenry

More senior care near McHenry

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in McHenry

More for McHenry 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 McHenry, IL