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

Local figures

Dementia Care in Needham, MA: the local picture

1,245

residents 85 or older (3.8% of all residents)

5,733

residents 65 or older (18% of Needham)

29%

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

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Needham has about 1,245 residents aged 85 or older among 5,733 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.

29% 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.

25% of older Needham 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.

Needham compared with Norfolk County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Needham	Norfolk County	Massachusetts
Residents 85 or older	3.8%	2.4%	2.2%
Residents 65 or older	18%	18%	18%
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	27%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	29%	29%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.8%	9.2%	11%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	20%	23%	25%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$119,930	$78,127	—

Older residents in towns around Needham

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Wellesley, MA	2.7 mi	4,691	774
Newton, MA	3.9 mi	17,046	2,192
Dedham, MA	4.0 mi	5,528	1,087
Brookline, MA	5.9 mi	9,986	1,211
Cochituate, MA	6.5 mi	1,267	126
Watertown, MA	6.9 mi	6,506	762

Nursing homes near Needham

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Briarwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center	Needham, MA	0.5 mi	4 of 5	120	(781) 449-4040
Skilled Nursing Facility At North Hill (The)	Needham, MA	0.8 mi	2 of 5	72	(781) 444-9910
Elizabeth Seton	Wellesley, MA	2.2 mi	5 of 5	84	(781) 997-1130
Stone Rehabilitation And Senior Living	Newton Upper Falls, MA	2.4 mi	3 of 5	82	(617) 562-0023
Newbridge On The Charles Skilled Nursing Facility	Dedham, MA	2.5 mi	5 of 5	48	(781) 234-9010
Adviniacare Newton Wellesley	Wellesley, MA	3.3 mi	4 of 5	110	(781) 237-6400

Hospices serving Needham

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
West River Hospice	Needham, MA	1.0 mi	(781) 707-9524
Gentiva	Auburndale, MA	4.3 mi	(617) 332-0813
Good Shepherd Community Care	Newton, MA	4.7 mi	(617) 969-6130
Hebrew Seniorlife Hospice Care, Inc	Dedham, MA	4.8 mi	(781) 234-9950

Straight-line miles from the center of Needham. 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 Needham

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 17% of the $9,994 monthly median income of Needham 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 Needham: common questions

What nursing homes are near Needham?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Briarwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Needham (0.5 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Skilled Nursing Facility At North Hill (The) in Needham (0.8 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Elizabeth Seton in Wellesley (2.2 mi, 5 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Needham?

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 17% of the $9,994 monthly median income of Needham 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 Needham

More senior care near Needham

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Needham

More for Needham 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 Needham, MA