Respite Care in Pontiac, IL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Pontiac, IL: the local picture

2,404

residents 65 or older (21% of Pontiac)

56%

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

32%

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

7

Medicare-certified hospices serve Pontiac ZIP codes

Most older adults in Pontiac live with someone: 56% 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 674 Pontiac residents aged 65 or older report a disability (32%) (32% in Livingston County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 7 hospices serving Pontiac ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Pontiac compared with Livingston County and Illinois

Census figure	Pontiac	Livingston County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	32%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	44%	33%	30%
Residents 65 or older	21%	20%	17%
Residents 85 or older	3.5%	2.9%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.7%	7.2%	10%
Households with no vehicle	7.9%	5.5%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,724	$55,965	—

Older residents in towns around Pontiac

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Fairbury, IL	12 mi	754	46%
Dwight, IL	18 mi	766	34%
Streator, IL	19 mi	2,679	37%
El Paso, IL	22 mi	501	35%
Marseilles, IL	27 mi	813	43%
Normal, IL	31 mi	6,501	31%

Hospices serving Pontiac

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Osf Hospice - Eastern Region	Bloomington, IL	33 mi	(309) 451-5925
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Illinois	Peru, IL	40 mi	(815) 220-0021
Lightways Hospice And Serious Illness Care	Joliet, IL	54 mi	(815) 740-4104
Carle Hospice	Champaign, IL	56 mi	(800) 239-3620
Traditions Health	Lisle, IL	72 mi	(630) 682-3871

Nursing homes near Pontiac (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Evenglow Lodge	Pontiac, IL	1.0 mi	5 of 5	48	(815) 842-4613
Accolade Healthcare Of Pontiac	Pontiac, IL	1.5 mi	3 of 5	97	(815) 842-1181
Goldwater Pontiac Nursing Home	Pontiac, IL	2.4 mi	2 of 5	90	(815) 844-5121
Fairview Haven	Fairbury, IL	12 mi	5 of 5	52	(815) 692-2572

Straight-line miles from the center of Pontiac. 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 Pontiac

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 45% of the $3,560 monthly median income of Pontiac 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 Pontiac: common questions

Which hospices serve Pontiac?

Medicare lists 7 hospices for Pontiac ZIP codes, including Osf Hospice - Eastern Region, Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Illinois, Lightways Hospice And Serious Illness Care.

How much does respite care cost in Pontiac?

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 45% of the $3,560 monthly median income of Pontiac 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 Pontiac. 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 Pontiac

More senior care near Pontiac

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Pontiac

More for Pontiac 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 Pontiac, IL