Dementia Care in Bellingham, MA: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Bellingham, MA: the local picture

193

residents 85 or older (3.6% of all residents)

992

residents 65 or older (19% of Bellingham)

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Norfolk County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Bellingham has about 193 residents aged 85 or older among 992 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.

35% of residents 65 and older report a disability (27% in Norfolk County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

39% of older Bellingham 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.

Bellingham compared with Norfolk County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Bellingham	Norfolk County	Massachusetts
Residents 85 or older	3.6%	2.4%	2.2%
Residents 65 or older	19%	18%	18%
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	27%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	29%	29%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.9%	9.2%	11%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	11%	23%	25%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,000	$78,127	—

Older residents in towns around Bellingham

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Franklin Town, MA	3.5 mi	4,872	446
Hopedale, MA	3.9 mi	915	85
Milford, MA	4.4 mi	5,086	519
Woonsocket, RI	6.5 mi	6,387	619
Cumberland Hill, RI	8.3 mi	1,309	114
Millis-Clicquot, MA	8.3 mi	963	65

Nursing homes near Bellingham

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Blaire House Of Milford	Milford, MA	3.6 mi	1 of 5	73	(508) 473-1272
Oc Milford Gardens LLC	Milford, MA	3.9 mi	1 of 5	135	(508) 473-6414
The Gardens At Cedarwood	Franklin, MA	4.9 mi	2 of 5	82	(508) 528-4600
Countryside Health Care Of Milford	Milford, MA	5.5 mi	4 of 5	109	(508) 473-0435
Medway Country Manor Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitat	Medway, MA	5.7 mi	not rated	123	(508) 259-7883
Woonsocket Health Center	Woonsocket, RI	5.9 mi	4 of 5	150	(401) 765-2100

Hospices serving Bellingham

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Preferred Peaceful Transitions Home Health Care Inc	Milford, MA	4.7 mi	(506) 473-0404
Vna & Hospice Of Greater Milford	Milford, MA	4.7 mi	(508) 473-0862
Hopehealth Hospice & Palliative Care	Attleboro, MA	15 mi	(508) 957-0200
Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Massachuse	Norwood, MA	16 mi	(866) 670-9449

Straight-line miles from the center of Bellingham. 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 Bellingham

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 50% of the $3,417 monthly median income of Bellingham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts'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 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 Bellingham: common questions

What nursing homes are near Bellingham?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Blaire House Of Milford in Milford (3.6 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Oc Milford Gardens LLC in Milford (3.9 mi, 1 of 5 overall); The Gardens At Cedarwood in Franklin (4.9 mi, 2 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Bellingham?

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 50% of the $3,417 monthly median income of Bellingham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Bellingham

More senior care near Bellingham

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Bellingham

More for Bellingham 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 Bellingham, MA