Rochester, Illinois

Respite Care in Rochester, IL

A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Rochester for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

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Local figures

Respite Care in Rochester, IL: the local picture

721
residents 65 or older (19% of Rochester)
83%
of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver
25%
of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Sangamon County)
9
Medicare-certified hospices serve Rochester ZIP codes

Most older adults in Rochester live with someone: 83% 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 181 Rochester residents aged 65 or older report a disability (25%) (31% in Sangamon County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 9 hospices serving Rochester ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Rochester compared with Sangamon County and Illinois

Census figureRochesterSangamon CountyIllinois
Residents 65+ with a disability25%31%32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone17%34%30%
Residents 65 or older19%19%17%
Residents 85 or older3.7%2.2%2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)1.1%8.0%10%
Households with no vehicle2.2%7.6%11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$98,872$65,003—

Older residents in towns around Rochester

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Riverton, IL7.2 mi60428%
Springfield, IL7.3 mi22,57432%
Chatham, IL10 mi1,74835%
Pawnee, IL11 mi43040%
Sherman, IL11 mi89125%
Auburn, IL16 mi70634%

Hospices serving Rochester

HospiceOfficeDistancePhone
Hospice Care Of IllinoisSpringfield, IL4.5 mi(217) 788-4663
Enhabit HospiceSpringfield, IL5.8 mi(447) 442-1237
Hands Of God HospiceSpringfield, IL9.0 mi(217) 284-9070
Elara Caring ViiSpringfield, IL9.1 mi(217) 210-8457
GentivaSpringfield, IL9.1 mi(217) 525-6200

Nursing homes near Rochester (ask about short stays)

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
Avenues At SpringfieldSpringfield, IL6.2 mi2 of 565(217) 789-1680
Arcadia Care On The HillSpringfield, IL8.7 mi1 of 5251(217) 525-1880
Regency CareSpringfield, IL9.8 mi1 of 599(217) 793-4880
Springfield Suites Rehab And NursingSpringfield, IL11 mi3 of 575(217) 787-0000

Straight-line miles from the center of Rochester. 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 Rochester

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 19% of the $8,239 monthly median income of Rochester 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 Rochester: common questions

Which hospices serve Rochester?

Medicare lists 9 hospices for Rochester ZIP codes, including Hospice Care Of Illinois, Enhabit Hospice, Hands Of God Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Rochester?

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 19% of the $8,239 monthly median income of Rochester 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 Rochester. 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.

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.

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