Dementia Care in Chariton, IA: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Chariton, IA: the local picture

247

residents 85 or older (5.8% of all residents)

841

residents 65 or older (20% of Chariton)

49%

of residents 65+ report a disability (41% in Lucas County)

5

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Chariton has about 247 residents aged 85 or older among 841 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.

49% of residents 65 and older report a disability (41% in Lucas County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

47% of older Chariton 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.

Chariton compared with Lucas County and Iowa

Census figure	Chariton	Lucas County	Iowa
Residents 85 or older	5.8%	3.8%	2.3%
Residents 65 or older	20%	22%	18%
Residents 65+ with a disability	49%	41%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	47%	36%	31%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	18%	19%	8.4%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	7.9%	7.4%	9.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$30,039	$36,847	—

Older residents in towns around Chariton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Knoxville, IA	23 mi	1,720	484
Osceola, IA	25 mi	1,025	132
Albia, IA	26 mi	812	204
Indianola, IA	27 mi	2,906	461
Centerville, IA	30 mi	1,205	225
Pella, IA	34 mi	2,017	360

Nursing homes near Chariton

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Chariton Specialty Care	Chariton, IA	0.9 mi	2 of 5	60	(641) 774-5921
Corydon Specialty Care	Corydon, IA	18 mi	4 of 5	71	(641) 681-2874
West Ridge Specialty Care	Knoxville, IA	23 mi	4 of 5	78	(641) 842-3153
Southern Hills Specialty Care	Osceola, IA	24 mi	3 of 5	90	(641) 342-6061
Accura Healthcare Of Knoxville, LLC	Knoxville, IA	24 mi	2 of 5	60	(641) 842-2187

Hospices serving Chariton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Care Initiatives Hospice - Albia	Albia, IA	27 mi	(641) 932-3488
Everystep	Des Moines, IA	43 mi	(515) 274-3400
Suncrest Hospice, LLC	West Des Moines, IA	46 mi	(515) 327-6026
Care Initiatives Hospice - West Des Moines	West Des Moines, IA	46 mi	(515) 223-3813

Straight-line miles from the center of Chariton. 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 Chariton

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 60% of the $2,503 monthly median income of Chariton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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 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 Chariton: common questions

What nursing homes are near Chariton?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Chariton Specialty Care in Chariton (0.9 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Corydon Specialty Care in Corydon (18 mi, 4 of 5 overall); West Ridge Specialty Care in Knoxville (23 mi, 4 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Chariton?

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 60% of the $2,503 monthly median income of Chariton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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 Chariton

More senior care near Chariton

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Chariton

More for Chariton 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 Chariton, IA