Alzheimer's In-Home Care Guide

In 2025, an estimated 7.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Many families prefer supporting their loved one at home, especially in the early stages of the disease. In fact, according to our dementia care study, 73% of seniors with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia receive in-home care. 

While home health care typically focuses on medical services, like skilled nursing and occupational therapy, Alzheimer's in-home care is often part of nonmedical home care or personal care. In-home care offers services that can make a big difference in daily life, like meal preparation and companionship.

In some cases, Alzheimer’s in-home care can also provide skilled medical support. Learn what to expect from in-home care for Alzheimer's, including how to pay for memory care services and how to find the right provider.

 

Our survey found that three out of four dementia caregivers believed their loved one preferred receiving care in a familiar home environment, especially in the early stages of the disease, which is why they opted not to move their loved ones to a memory care facility. But what are the layers of Alzheimer's in-home care?

In-home Alzheimer's care assists with chores and daily tasks that may have become difficult due to memory loss or confusion. In-home care also commonly includes companionship and social interaction, which can help reduce feelings of isolation sometimes associated with Alzheimer's. 

In-home care is often a good fit for people in the early to mid stages of Alzheimer's who want to remain in a familiar environment but are beginning to struggle with everyday tasks, like managing bills or household chores. Families might also see it as a practical option to supplement other types of care or delay the need for residential placement. 

Depending on the in-home care provider, services for Alzheimer's patients can include:

• Meal preparation
• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Transportation to appointments
• Running errands, such as pharmacy or grocery shopping
• Companionship and conversation
• Support for engaging in hobbies and memory-friendly activities
• Reminders for meals, medications, and appointments

Personal care services help with activities of daily living, such as dressing and using the bathroom. These services can benefit seniors with limited mobility and declining cognition, often occurring in the middle to late stages of dementia or Alzheimer's. A trained caregiver can offer gentle and respectful help while maintaining your loved one's independence and dignity.

Personal care services may help with:

• Bathing and showering
• Dressing and undressing
• Assistance with eating and drinking
• Moving between rooms, seats, or beds in the home 
• Using the toilet and managing incontinence
• Grooming, such as hair care and shaving

Home health care expands in-home Alzheimer's care to include skilled nursing services and therapies. Home health care professionals also help seniors with Alzheimer's with some personal care, but often do not help with chores or companionship. Instead, they focus on managing health-related needs as Alzheimer's progresses. 

As cognitive decline worsens, home health care can help your loved one stay safe and stable at home. Aides can administer medications, monitor health changes, and coordinate care with other medical professionals. 

Home health care can also offer the following to someone with Alzheimer's:

• Wound care, first aid, and skilled nursing
• Physical, occupational, or speech therapies
• Medical device maintenance
• Oral and personal hygiene assistance
• Help with dressing and toileting
• Nutritional guidance and eating assistance

Home safety for people with dementia is a number-one priority for many families. Around-the-clock care can offer peace of mind when your loved one with Alzheimer's lives at home.

Both in-home care and home health aides have live-in or 24/7 options. In-home care aides may offer part-time, full-time, or overnight services. Home health care services are usually part-time, but some agencies have 24/7 care when necessary. 

With 24-hour home care, a caregiver is always awake and available to prevent wandering or help with nighttime agitation or other needs. Agencies with shift-based coverage can ensure constant supervision and immediate response. Live-in caregivers are always present in the home, but they usually sleep when your loved one does. Therefore, they could be a good option for seniors who sleep through the night and don't need continuous overnight supervision.

In-home Alzheimer's care requires much more than basic support. Providers should have patience, compassion, and a deep understanding of how Alzheimer's affects daily life. The following tips can help you evaluate in-home care providers for your loved one:

• Know Your Needs Before You Begin. Make a list of what types of care your loved one needs.
• Do Your Research. Always review references and conduct background checks when choosing a caregiver to provide in-home dementia care. Doing so can give you peace of mind that you’re choosing someone trustworthy.
• Conduct Interviews. During the process, have multiple interviews with potential hires to really get to know them. Use this checklist to help you with the interview process for finding an in-home caregiver.
• Research the Agencies You're Considering. What are their policies? Do they have backup caregivers if the primary caregiver is unavailable for any reason? What kinds of Alzheimer's care do they provide?
• Is There Continuing Care? Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that worsens over time. How will this caregiver or agency handle its different stages? 
• Assess Familiarity. During the interview, make sure you ask how familiar the agencies or caregivers are with the specific services your loved one needs.

The cost of Alzheimer's in-home care varies depending on where you live and the level of support your loved one needs. You can also expect to pay less for part-time care than you would for full-time Alzheimer's care. 

Home health care usually costs more than in-home care services due to the skilled nursing services home health aides offer. The median monthly cost of in-home care in 2024 was $6,292, according to CareScout data. That cost rises to $6,483/month for home health care and the use of a home health aide. 

Because Alzheimer's progresses over time, costs may also increase with your loved one's growing needs. Home modifications for safety and respite care for caregivers, for example, are additional costs to consider.

Paying for in-home Alzheimer's care is a reasonable concern for family members. Services can cost thousands per month, and insurance may not cover many of them.

According to CareScout, the median cost of a home health aide was $77,792/year in 2024 and is estimated to increase to $80,126/year in 2025. Additionally, the Alzheimer's Association reports that people with Alzheimer's and other dementias have a total lifetime cost of care of $405,262. Close to three-quarters of those costs lie on the shoulders of family members who provide caregiving services or pay out-of-pocket costs. 

Per our caregiver burnout report, two in five unpaid caregivers spend over 21 hours a week caregiving, and 29% of unpaid caregivers say they spend up to $5,000/year out of pocket on their loved one’s caregiving needs.

Knowing your options for paying for in-home care can help you prepare for the financial realities of long-term Alzheimer's support. Use our home health care financial assistance guide to explore programs. The guide includes a map to help you find specific programs in your state.

Yes, you can be a caregiver for your loved one with Alzheimer's disease who receives dementia care at home. But a lot goes into doing so, especially as Alzheimer's progresses. As a caregiver for a memory patient, you should understand how to communicate with your loved one, maintain their routine, and engage them in social and physical activities they enjoy. 

Home safety for those with dementia is another priority, so caregivers should make the home environment predictable and secure by using locks, removing tripping hazards, adding handrails, and adding directional cues to prevent confusion. 

If you plan to be your loved one's caregiver, know that caregiver stress and burnout is common. Our research found that 52% of dementia caregivers experience burnout, and 98% admit that their loved one's diagnosis affected their well-being. While caring for your loved one, you should also prioritize yourself to ensure you can give them the best, most compassionate care possible. Knowing what support is available, like respite care and educational tools, may help you manage caregiving challenges.

Even if your loved one receives Alzheimer's in-home care, you may need extra help through the process. Several organizations and programs can give crisis support for caregivers, help you navigate legal and financial resources, or connect you to support groups and community-based services.

 

Home care for dementia, specifically Alzheimer's, is possible through all stages of the disease, especially with the right team of support professionals. In-home Alzheimer's care can include the personal, companion, and medical care services your loved one needs to stay safe and comfortable at home. The right plan and resources can help you create a care experience that supports your loved one and yourself.

 

• Alzheimer's care. (n.d.). Visiting Angels
• Alzheimer's disease facts & figures. (2025). Alzheimer's Association
• Cost of care. (2024). CareScout and Genworth
• Does long-term care insurance cover memory care? A comprehensive guide. (2023). National Council on Aging
• Getting help with Alzheimer’s caregiving. (2024). National Institute on Aging
• If you live alone. (n.d.). Alzheimer's Association
• Insurance. (n.d.). Alzheimer's Association
• Stages of Alzheimer’s. (n.d.). Alzheimer’s Association
• Tips for caregivers and families of people with dementia. (2025). Alzheimers.gov