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

Local figures

Dementia Care in River Forest, IL: the local picture

183

residents 85 or older (1.5% of all residents)

2,249

residents 65 or older (19% of River Forest)

25%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Cook County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

River Forest has about 183 residents aged 85 or older among 2,249 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.

25% of residents 65 and older report a disability (32% in Cook County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

33% of older River Forest 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.

River Forest compared with Cook County and Illinois

Census figure	River Forest	Cook County	Illinois
Residents 85 or older	1.5%	2.0%	2.0%
Residents 65 or older	19%	16%	17%
Residents 65+ with a disability	25%	32%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	2.7%	13%	10%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	11%	36%	24%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$74,559	$56,774	—

Older residents in towns around River Forest

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Oak Park, IL	1.6 mi	9,454	802
Maywood, IL	1.7 mi	2,857	369
Forest Park, IL	1.8 mi	2,651	339
Elmwood Park, IL	1.9 mi	4,066	391
River Grove, IL	2.3 mi	1,659	165
Melrose Park, IL	2.4 mi	3,138	512

Nursing homes near River Forest

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Oak Park Oasis	Oak Park, IL	0.7 mi	1 of 5	204	(708) 848-5966
Berkeley Nursing & Rehab Center	Oak Park, IL	1.4 mi	4 of 5	72	(708) 386-1112
Gottlieb Memorial Hospital	Melrose Park, IL	1.8 mi	5 of 5	32	(708) 450-4908
Aperion Care Forest Park	Forest Park, IL	2.1 mi	1 of 5	232	(708) 488-9850
Bria Of Elmwood Park	Elmwood Park, IL	2.2 mi	1 of 5	245	(708) 452-9200
West Suburban Medical Ctr	Oak Park, IL	2.2 mi	4 of 5	50	(708) 763-6018

Hospices serving River Forest

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Sanctuary Hospice	Westchester, IL	4.5 mi	(312) 662-1009
Alc Palliative And Hospice Care Inc	Elmhurst, IL	6.3 mi	(630) 480-6887
Capital Hospice & Palliative Care LLC	Oakbrook Terrace, IL	8.3 mi	(630) 581-5492
Gentiva I	Oak Brook, IL	8.4 mi	(708) 409-3040

Straight-line miles from the center of River Forest. 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 River Forest

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 26% of the $6,213 monthly median income of River Forest 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 River Forest: common questions

What nursing homes are near River Forest?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Oak Park Oasis in Oak Park (0.7 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Berkeley Nursing & Rehab Center in Oak Park (1.4 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park (1.8 mi, 5 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in River Forest?

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 26% of the $6,213 monthly median income of River Forest 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 River Forest

More senior care near River Forest

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in River Forest

More for River Forest 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 River Forest, IL