In-Home Dementia and Alzheimer's Care in Smith Mills, MA
Help at home for someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia: steady routines, safety and patience with changes in memory and mood. Post what you need in Smith Mills for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Dementia Care in Smith Mills, MA: the local picture
Smith Mills has about 142 residents aged 85 or older among 976 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.
32% of residents 65 and older report a disability (33% in Bristol County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.
40% of older Smith Mills 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.
Smith Mills compared with Bristol County and Massachusetts
| Census figure | Smith Mills | Bristol County | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 3.1% | 2.1% | 2.2% |
| Residents 65 or older | 21% | 18% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 32% | 33% | 30% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 40% | 30% | 29% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 14% | 11% | 11% |
| Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home | 26% | 22% | 25% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $44,775 | $54,856 | — |
Older residents in towns around Smith Mills
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Bedford, MA | 3.3 mi | 15,512 | 1,946 |
| Bliss Corner, MA | 4.1 mi | 1,499 | 230 |
| Acushnet Center, MA | 5.4 mi | 816 | 77 |
| North Westport, MA | 6.1 mi | 861 | 80 |
| Fall River, MA | 7.3 mi | 15,169 | 1,981 |
| Mattapoisett Center, MA | 10 mi | 719 | 234 |
Nursing homes near Smith Mills
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hathaway Manor Extended Care | New Bedford, MA | 1.7 mi | 2 of 5 | 142 | (508) 996-6763 |
| Sacred Heart Nursing Home | New Bedford, MA | 3.3 mi | 5 of 5 | 217 | (508) 996-6751 |
| Vantage Health & Rehab Of New Bedford | New Bedford, MA | 3.3 mi | 1 of 5 | 80 | (774) 319-2868 |
| Brandon Woods Of New Bedford | New Bedford, MA | 3.8 mi | 1 of 5 | 135 | (508) 997-9396 |
| Brandon Woods Of Dartmouth | South Dartmouth, MA | 3.9 mi | 2 of 5 | 118 | (508) 997-7787 |
| Royal Of Fairhaven Nursing Center | Fairhaven, MA | 4.7 mi | 3 of 5 | 107 | (508) 997-3193 |
Hospices serving Smith Mills
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Nurse Home Care, Inc | Fairhaven, MA | 5.6 mi | (508) 992-6278 |
| Hospice And Palliative Care | Fairhaven, MA | 5.6 mi | (508) 973-3200 |
| Accentcare Hospice Of Massachusetts | Fall River, MA | 7.6 mi | (508) 235-5312 |
| Bristol Hospice LLC | Fall River, MA | 7.6 mi | (774) 379-7232 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Smith Mills. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What dementia care costs in Smith Mills
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 46% of the $3,731 monthly median income of Smith Mills 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.
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.
Dementia Care in Smith Mills: common questions
What nursing homes are near Smith Mills?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Hathaway Manor Extended Care in New Bedford (1.7 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Sacred Heart Nursing Home in New Bedford (3.3 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Vantage Health & Rehab Of New Bedford in New Bedford (3.3 mi, 1 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does dementia care cost in Smith Mills?
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 46% of the $3,731 monthly median income of Smith Mills 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 senior care near Smith Mills
Dementia Care in nearby cities
- Dementia Care in New Bedford, MA
- Dementia Care in Bliss Corner, MA
- Dementia Care in Acushnet Center, MA
- Dementia Care in North Westport, MA
- Dementia Care in Fall River, MA
- Dementia Care in Mattapoisett Center, MA
- Dementia Care in Tiverton, RI
- Dementia Care in Somerset, MA
- Dementia Care in Ocean Grove, MA
- Dementia Care in North Lakeville, MA
- Dementia Care in Wareham Center, MA
- Dementia Care in Newport East, RI
- Dementia Care in Middleborough Center, MA
- Dementia Care in Taunton, MA
- Dementia Care in North Falmouth, MA
- Dementia Care in Raynham Center, MA
Other care in Smith Mills
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.
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