Dementia Care in Galena, IL: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Galena, IL: the local picture

111

residents 85 or older (3.8% of all residents)

1,117

residents 65 or older (38% of Galena)

19%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Jo Daviess County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Galena has about 111 residents aged 85 or older among 1,117 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.

19% of residents 65 and older report a disability (28% in Jo Daviess County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

39% of older Galena 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.

Galena compared with Jo Daviess County and Illinois

Census figure	Galena	Jo Daviess County	Illinois
Residents 85 or older	3.8%	3.3%	2.0%
Residents 65 or older	38%	30%	17%
Residents 65+ with a disability	19%	28%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	27%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.4%	5.4%	10%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	3.4%	2.6%	24%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,299	$60,781	—

Older residents in towns around Galena

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Dubuque, IA	15 mi	12,258	1,779
Asbury, IA	19 mi	887	79
Platteville, WI	21 mi	1,286	170
Savanna, IL	27 mi	680	47
Maquoketa, IA	28 mi	1,336	239
Lena, IL	31 mi	611	101

Nursing homes near Galena

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Galena Stauss Nursing Home	Galena, IL	0.6 mi	3 of 5	57	(815) 776-7254
St Dominic Villa	Hazel Green, WI	9.0 mi	2 of 5	62	(608) 748-9814
Mill Valley Care Center	Bellevue, IA	11 mi	5 of 5	46	(563) 872-5521
Mount Carmel Bluffs	Dubuque, IA	12 mi	5 of 5	60	(563) 556-5474
Harmony Dubuque	Dubuque, IA	14 mi	2 of 5	75	(563) 556-1161
Bethany Home	Dubuque, IA	14 mi	5 of 5	66	(563) 556-5233

Hospices serving Galena

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Dubuque	Dubuque, IA	17 mi	(563) 582-1220
Fhn Hospice	Freeport, IL	41 mi	(815) 599-7240
Osf Hospice	Loves Park, IL	72 mi	(815) 433-6090

Straight-line miles from the center of Galena. 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 Galena

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $4,192 monthly median income of Galena households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois'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 Galena: common questions

What nursing homes are near Galena?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Galena Stauss Nursing Home in Galena (0.6 mi, 3 of 5 overall); St Dominic Villa in Hazel Green (9.0 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Mill Valley Care Center in Bellevue (11 mi, 5 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Galena?

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $4,192 monthly median income of Galena households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois'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 Galena

More senior care near Galena

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Galena

More for Galena 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 Galena, IL