Dementia Care in Altoona, WI: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Altoona, WI: the local picture

323

residents 85 or older (3.6% of all residents)

1,717

residents 65 or older (19% of Altoona)

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Eau Claire County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Altoona has about 323 residents aged 85 or older among 1,717 aged 65 or older. The risk of Alzheimer’s rises steeply with age, and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that about a third of people 85 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia.

34% of residents 65 and older report a disability (29% in Eau Claire County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

33% of older Altoona residents in households live alone. For someone with memory loss who lives alone, a few hours of daily check-ins are often the first step.

Altoona compared with Eau Claire County and Wisconsin

Census figure	Altoona	Eau Claire County	Wisconsin
Residents 85 or older	3.6%	2.1%	2.1%
Residents 65 or older	19%	17%	19%
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	29%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	31%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.7%	7.2%	9.1%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	0.9%	6.7%	9.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$66,250	$58,282	—

Older residents in towns around Altoona

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Eau Claire, WI	3.0 mi	11,454	1,389
Lake Hallie, WI	6.4 mi	1,035	107
Chippewa Falls, WI	9.6 mi	3,042	510
Lake Wissota, WI	11 mi	640	130
Mondovi, WI	19 mi	634	121
Bloomer, WI	21 mi	783	104

Nursing homes near Altoona

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Oakwood Health Services	Altoona, WI	0.8 mi	3 of 5	80	(715) 833-0400
Grace Lutheran Communities - River Pines	Altoona, WI	0.9 mi	4 of 5	50	(715) 598-7800
Dove Healthcare - South Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	1.8 mi	5 of 5	50	(715) 552-1035
Dove Healthcare - West Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	5.0 mi	4 of 5	83	(715) 552-1030
Chippewa Manor Nursing And Rehabilitation	Chippewa Falls, WI	8.4 mi	5 of 5	50	(715) 723-4437
WI Veterans Home At Chippewa Falls	Chippewa Falls, WI	9.8 mi	5 of 5	72	(715) 720-6775

Hospices serving Altoona

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Interim Healthcare Hospice Of Western Wisconsin	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(715) 377-9617
Lily Home And Hospice	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(262) 235-3115
Moments Hospice Of Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(715) 800-0900
St Croix Hospice Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(715) 598-2635

Straight-line miles from the center of Altoona. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a dementia caregiver can help with

Keeping a predictable daily routine
Gentle help with bathing, dressing and toileting
Meals, hydration and medication reminders
Calming approaches for sundowning, agitation and repeated questions

Cost

What dementia care costs in Altoona

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 27% of the $5,521 monthly median income of Altoona households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin's minimum wage is $7.25 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 IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a dementia caregiver

An estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2025 Facts and Figures. Most live at home, cared for by family. The Association’s 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) is free.

Questions worth asking: Tell me about someone with dementia you cared for. What worked? What do you do when a client becomes agitated in the late afternoon? How do you keep someone safe who tries to leave the house? More in our dementia care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Dementia Care in Altoona: common questions

What nursing homes are near Altoona?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Oakwood Health Services in Altoona (0.8 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Grace Lutheran Communities - River Pines in Altoona (0.9 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Dove Healthcare - South Eau Claire in Eau Claire (1.8 mi, 5 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Altoona?

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 27% of the $5,521 monthly median income of Altoona households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

When does someone with dementia need care at home?

Common signs are missed meals or medication, getting lost in familiar places, unsafe cooking or driving, and a family caregiver who is exhausted. Many families start with a few hours a day and add hours, nights or live-in help as the disease progresses.

More near Altoona

More senior care near Altoona

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Altoona

More for Altoona 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.

In-Home Dementia and Alzheimer's Care in Altoona, WI