Dementia Care in Benson, MN: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Benson, MN: the local picture

188

residents 85 or older (5.5% of all residents)

774

residents 65 or older (22% of Benson)

51%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Swift County)

3

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Benson has about 188 residents aged 85 or older among 774 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.

51% of residents 65 and older report a disability (40% in Swift County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

45% of older Benson 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.

Benson compared with Swift County and Minnesota

Census figure	Benson	Swift County	Minnesota
Residents 85 or older	5.5%	4.3%	2.1%
Residents 65 or older	22%	23%	17%
Residents 65+ with a disability	51%	40%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	45%	35%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	9.6%	8.8%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	2.0%	5.6%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$37,028	$44,358	—

Older residents in towns around Benson

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Morris, MN	24 mi	804	184
Montevideo, MN	26 mi	1,192	233
Glenwood, MN	26 mi	706	148
Willmar, MN	30 mi	4,021	608
Granite Falls, MN	35 mi	609	61
Alexandria, MN	40 mi	3,590	713

Nursing homes near Benson

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Minnewaska Community Health Services	Starbuck, MN	21 mi	2 of 5	39	(320) 239-2217
Appleton Area Health	Appleton, MN	21 mi	3 of 5	47	(320) 289-2422
West Wind Village	Morris, MN	25 mi	5 of 5	44	(320) 589-7900

Hospices serving Benson

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Glacial Ridge Hospice	Glenwood, MN	25 mi	(320) 634-2221
Divine Hospice Care	Willmar, MN	30 mi	(320) 231-9757
Centracare Hospice	Willmar, MN	30 mi	(320) 231-4470
Vivie Hospice	Alexandria, MN	41 mi	(320) 759-1275

Straight-line miles from the center of Benson. 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 Benson

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 52% of the $3,086 monthly median income of Benson households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Benson: common questions

What nursing homes are near Benson?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Minnewaska Community Health Services in Starbuck (21 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Appleton Area Health in Appleton (21 mi, 3 of 5 overall); West Wind Village in Morris (25 mi, 5 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Benson?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 52% of the $3,086 monthly median income of Benson households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Benson

More senior care near Benson

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Benson

More for Benson 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 Benson, MN