Respite Care in Wood River, 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 Wood River for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Wood River, IL: the local picture
Most older adults in Wood River live with someone: 60% 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 759 Wood River residents aged 65 or older report a disability (46%) (35% in Madison County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 11 hospices serving Wood River ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Wood River compared with Madison County and Illinois
| Census figure | Wood River | Madison County | Illinois |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 46% | 35% | 32% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 40% | 32% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 16% | 19% | 17% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.2% | 2.1% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 7.8% | 9.0% | 10% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.4% | 5.7% | 11% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $50,417 | $57,096 | — |
Older residents in towns around Wood River
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosewood Heights, IL | 1.7 mi | 1,068 | 43% |
| East Alton, IL | 2.2 mi | 890 | 30% |
| Bethalto, IL | 3.2 mi | 2,119 | 28% |
| Alton, IL | 4.9 mi | 4,354 | 44% |
| Edwardsville, IL | 6.9 mi | 3,310 | 27% |
| Holiday Shores, IL | 8.7 mi | 498 | 33% |
Hospices serving Wood River
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osf Saint Anthony's Hospice | Alton, IL | 5.3 mi | (618) 463-5683 |
| Bjc Hospice | Glen Carbon, IL | 9.1 mi | (618) 463-7100 |
| Unity Hospice Of Greater St Louis | Collinsville, IL | 13 mi | (618) 346-1111 |
| Vitas Healthcare Corporation Midwest | Fairview Heights, IL | 19 mi | (618) 622-9073 |
| Heartland Hospice (Fairview Heights) | Fairview Heights, IL | 19 mi | (618) 632-0304 |
Nursing homes near Wood River (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bria Of Woodriver | Wood River, IL | 0.7 mi | 1 of 5 | 106 | (618) 259-4111 |
| Nexus At Alton | Alton, IL | 3.2 mi | 1 of 5 | 181 | (618) 465-8887 |
| Alton Memorial Rehab & Therapy | Alton, IL | 5.1 mi | 3 of 5 | 64 | (618) 463-7330 |
| La Bella Of Alton | Alton, IL | 5.8 mi | 1 of 5 | 180 | (618) 465-2626 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Wood River. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in Wood River
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 $4,201 monthly median income of Wood River 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.
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.
Respite Care in Wood River: common questions
Which hospices serve Wood River?
Medicare lists 11 hospices for Wood River ZIP codes, including Osf Saint Anthony's Hospice, Bjc Hospice, Unity Hospice Of Greater St Louis.
How much does respite care cost in Wood River?
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 $4,201 monthly median income of Wood River 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 Wood River. 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 senior care near Wood River
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Rosewood Heights, IL
- Respite Care in East Alton, IL
- Respite Care in Bethalto, IL
- Respite Care in Alton, IL
- Respite Care in Edwardsville, IL
- Respite Care in Holiday Shores, IL
- Respite Care in Spanish Lake, MO
- Respite Care in Glen Carbon, IL
- Respite Care in Granite City, IL
- Respite Care in Glasgow Village, MO
- Respite Care in Pontoon Beach, IL
- Respite Care in Godfrey, IL
- Respite Care in Riverview, MO
- Respite Care in Black Jack, MO
- Respite Care in Maryville, IL
- Respite Care in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO
Other care in Wood River
- Companion Care in Wood River
- Dementia Care in Wood River
- Live-In Caregivers in Wood River
- Post-Surgery Care in Wood River
- Senior Transportation in Wood River
- Home Health Aides in Wood River
- Nursing Assistants in Wood River
- Personal Care in Wood River
- Overnight Caregivers in Wood River
- 24-Hour Home Care in Wood River
- Mobility Assistance in Wood River
- Parkinson’s Care in Wood River
- Stroke Recovery Support in Wood River
- Disability Care for Adults in Wood River
- Hospice Support in Wood River
- Senior Meal Preparation in Wood River
- Senior Housekeeping in Wood River
- Medication Reminders in Wood River
- Veterans’ Home Care in Wood River
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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