Dementia Care in Philadelphia, PA: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Philadelphia, PA: the local picture

25,175

residents 85 or older (1.6% of all residents)

232,118

residents 65 or older (15% of Philadelphia)

41%

of residents 65+ report a disability

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Philadelphia has about 25,175 residents aged 85 or older among 232,118 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.

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

38% of older Philadelphia 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.

Philadelphia compared with Pennsylvania

Census figure	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	2.4%
Residents 65 or older	15%	19%
Residents 65+ with a disability	41%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	21%	9.9%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	24%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$39,481	—

Older residents in towns around Philadelphia

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Oak Lane, PA	3.4 mi	1,018	92
Elkins Park, PA	4.7 mi	2,069	254
Bala Cynwyd, PA	5.0 mi	2,107	482
Palmyra, NJ	5.2 mi	1,413	62
Camden, NJ	5.2 mi	8,123	640
McKinley, PA	5.3 mi	645	73

Nursing homes near Philadelphia

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Willowcrest	Philadelphia, PA	1.9 mi	5 of 5	44	(215) 456-8632
Philadelphia Protestant Home	Philadelphia, PA	1.9 mi	5 of 5	116	(215) 697-8000
Maplewood Nursing And Rehab Center	Philadelphia, PA	2.7 mi	3 of 5	180	(215) 844-8806
Willow Terrace	Philadelphia, PA	2.7 mi	1 of 5	174	(215) 951-8500
Aristacare At East Falls	Philadelphia, PA	2.7 mi	1 of 5	66	(215) 842-3300
Laurel Square Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center	Philadelphia, PA	3.1 mi	3 of 5	87	(215) 224-9898

Hospices serving Philadelphia

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Echo Hospice Of Pennsylvania, LLC	Philadelphia, PA	3.1 mi	(267) 551-5708
Immediate Homecare And Hospice	Philadelphia, PA	5.0 mi	(215) 638-2223
Penn Medicine Hospice	Bala Cynwyd, PA	5.3 mi	(610) 617-2400
Heartland Hospice (Philadelphia)	Bala Cynwyd, PA	5.3 mi	(610) 941-6700

Straight-line miles from the center of Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $3,290 monthly median income of Philadelphia households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Philadelphia: common questions

What nursing homes are near Philadelphia?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Willowcrest in Philadelphia (1.9 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Philadelphia Protestant Home in Philadelphia (1.9 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Maplewood Nursing And Rehab Center in Philadelphia (2.7 mi, 3 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Philadelphia?

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $3,290 monthly median income of Philadelphia households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Philadelphia

More senior care near Philadelphia

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Philadelphia

More for Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA